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Reviews For: Logger

Category: Ham Logging Software

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Review Summary For : Logger
Reviews: 32MSRP: 0.00
Description:
TNC User and Logging software.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.logger32.net
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00324.4
N7CZ Rating: 2001-02-19
good, but lacking for the VHF/UHF OP. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I use Logger and love it. However, I am very much into VHF and Grid squares (VUCC) and there is no provision for VUCC award tracking
NI6EE Rating: 2000-12-20
It does the Job! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have been using Logger for about 6 months and found it to suit how I log. I import Digipan logs to it routinely. I like the mini PSK31 add-on and have used it with Zakanaka.

Seems most hams I talk with either love or hate it. Thanks to the authors for a fine growing piece of software.
KE4GHC Rating: 2000-12-20
Great at the price Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been using the program for over a year now, and stick in the upgrades when I remember to look for them.
I haven't had any problems with the program except for features that didn't work at the time. Telnet being the one. One revision later it worked just fine so I was happy.
The only suggestion I made to Bob to make the program better was implemented (a jillion other people suggested it too).
I paid nothing for it! Thats the best thing. I'm a thrifty scot I like free stuff. Especially when it is free and works so well.
It is less bug free and troublesome than Microsofts OS's and they cost more to boot.
So read the directions, pay attention to what your doing when you install it and you won't have any trouble.
If your an idiot or pigheaded I'd suggest going out and buying one, the tech support is much better, but if you have exhausted all other resources, Bob is more than willing to help you out.
N1EU Rating: 2000-12-09
Great Software Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
It took a bit of searching, but good news is that here's the current links to download Logger:

ver 7.07: http://www.itis.net/golist/dlaloggerzip.cfm

ver 7.09 upgrade only: http://www.golist.net/dlloggerupd.cfm

My choices for a total software package are:
- Logger for daily logging
- WriteLog for contesting
- BV6 for QSL'ing (free)
- DXTelnet for Internet spotting

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by N1EU on 2000-12-09

I've evaluated all the logging software out there, including DX4Win and DXBase2001. I purchased DXBase2001 but I keep coming back to Logger. I like its:

- quick & easy QSO entry screen
- rig interface to my 1000MP works flawlessly
- nifty little Telnet interface
- ADIF import/export works well
- auto callbook CD lookup

It does just about everything I want, although I do use BV6 for QSL'ing.

My only criticism is that it has a minimal help file and doesn't allow you to sort and scroll through the entire logbook quickly. 10 QSO's at a time doesn't quite cut it.

I just noticed that their Web site isn't reachable. Hopefully this is temporary, but it could be a bad omen.
N0HR Rating: 2000-12-08
Logger review update Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Just to be fair, I thought I should provide an update to my previous review. In with my previous review (below) I'll give the updates:

1) Not very customizable
Still true. Authors don't care (it works for them, they don't really have "customers", so 'who cares?'). I agree with the comments regarding Windows standards.

2) Digital support / award tracking fails
This is now one of the most frequently asked questions for this product. When you work a digital contact, you must configure the mode in the software. In other words, you must tell it that "RTTY" is a digital mode. Not readily obvious (evidenced by the number of questions on the topic).

3) Rig control interface buggy
Another problem solved after a lot of searching. It seems that you must tell most Icom rigs that they should not be in "tranceive mode" (effectively letting them attempt to master/slave). You must find your Icom's setting for transcieve mode or the freq display will be corrupt.

4) Not good for logging other than "general" QSOs
Still wouldn't use it in a contest. WriteLog rocks! For me, WriteLog is the only way to contest.

5) Terrible web site support
While the web site doesn't offer tons of help, at least they have one again.

To sum it up...
* I've managed to (painfully) find the answers to a few of the problems that I had initially with this product (Icom use, digital award tracking, ...).
* I'm not impressed to the point I'd give it a higher rating.
* For very casual users not wanting super fine QSL tracking/reporting/mapping/... or to spend money, it might just do the job.

Good luck

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Earlier 3-star review posted by N0HR on 2000-10-02

I've been using Logger (version 7.09) for approx 6 weeks now. While I too appreciate its price (FREE), I have a few negative comments:

1) Not very customizable
I'd like to be able to do things like change window sizes, etc. There doesn't appear to be an easy way to do this. The docs don't help.

2) Digital support / award tracking fails
I worked the 2000 CQ WW RTTY contest and expected to see my DXCC country counts (worked) increase. When it didn't, I tried to create a very small log which only had one entry in it - a RTTY QSO. When using "mixed mode" or "digital only" I can't see any DXCC credits.

3) Rig control interface buggy
I have a IC-746 and found that the rig control system (which is comparatively weak) to be buggy. When monitoring 20 meters, the display in Logger's quirky callsign window kept showing whacky frequencies. Periodically, it would show the correct freq.

4) Not good for logging other than "general" QSOs
That is, you wouldn't use it for contesting. It's not that great for QSL tracking (compared to others and even the free LuxLog: http://www.qsl.net/lx1no/llog_dwn.html).

5) Terrible web site support
The link keeps breaking or moving.

While I appreciate good, free software as much as the next guy, I think a lot of 5s are here simply because it's FREE. To that, I say, there are better packages out there and a number of them (like Lux Log) are also free. That said, I'd love to see the above things changed to make this a top-notch product.
KK7SE Rating: 2000-12-08
You get what you pay for Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
There is a lot of functionality in this program, probably too much. It all works (more or less), but for me there were a few drawbacks.
- The author and his henchmen can be extraordinarily rude, especially when a user makes a suggestion about the program. They like to remind us peasants that they are giving away the program for free. Well, so what, that was their choice. They propagated the thing all over the place, so it would seem like a good thing to fix the problems in it.
- Had troubles with the radio link to my IC735
- Locked up occasionally, probably due to the psk subsystem.
- The real killer...doesn't conform to standard Windows programming practices. eg radio button click initiates an action, buttons in very peculiar places, buttons or other clickable things used to initiate actions that you would expect to find in a standard menu, etc. The programmer obviously had put a lot of effort into the program, but didn't look like he was a professional.
- The amount of logged information was inadequate.

I finally gave up on this sorry thing and got DX4WIN. Now I'm happy. You get what you pay for.
W6OPO Rating: 2000-10-02
Good but needs help Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have been through three commercially available loging programs and have decided to stay with Logger. I spent something short of $200 over the course of making a decision. DX4WIN was the worst experience I had every had - specially with support.

Logger is pretty good at the basics. Has a lot of features I like. Works with my IC-781 without a hitch. Problems are in its flexibility. The biggest pain I have with Logger is it doesn't allow me to put the data file with the rest of my files. Makes backups a pain. I did ask for and got the the ability to have a default log file. Also I don't appreciate the tone of some of the messages. Contesting - no - leave that to TRLog.
9K2GV Rating: 2000-09-24
the bast Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
try it is free and much better than my old Software log plus and i can t believe is free
EA2BSN Rating: 2000-08-29
Excelent and for free! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Excelent log software and for free!. This software can do all you wait in a log software and more. Don't panic with the idea of migrating from your previous log software because Logger uses the ADIF format and for sure you can migrate without problems.

By the way, the link above was wrong at the time of writing this, actual link is:

http://www.chroniclenetworks.com/~dwm/logger-zakanaka.htm

A useful tool for converting your previous log is ASC2ADIF and cand be found in :

http://kh2d.net/software/index.html

Best 73
KC8HYI Rating: 2000-06-26
Wonderful Free Logging software! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
At first, I was skeptical like WA4TUF in another review. But once I started using it, I was totally amazed at the amount of features this program has. It includes PSK31, Logging (of course), QSL Tracking, a terminal interface, graylines, QSL Labels, etc. Oh yea, its free too!

I do not use it for contesting, but for general logging and QSL tracking, its very worthy of a 5 out of 5.

Thanks to the author to an awesome program.