| VE1JS |
Rating:      |
2019-10-29 | |
| Works - Not Bloatware |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have been using SD for contest logging since 1993, when I first used it's brother SDI (now included in SD) for the first IOTA contest.
I have used it off and on ever since in all manner of contests and IOTA expeditions. I keep coming back because it is simple, straightforward, easy to use, has a very small footprint on the HDD ( the SD folder is less than 8 MB including logs) and has NO multiple key strokes. Works perfectly with just about ANY radio for rig control and CW sending.
The manual is less than 20 pages, so you CAN read it all. SD.EXE is only 1,096 kB so it will run on just about any computer you might have.
I agree totally with the comments of GW4BVJ found below. His has hit the nail on the head, squarely.
Unless you are into multi-op, multi-transmitter contesting, you should be using SD. It will even handle SO2R, though I have not tried it.
For the single-op contester, this is simply the BEST bar none! |
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| GW4BVJ |
Rating:      |
2019-09-09 | |
| Used SD for the last 25 years |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I first acquired Super Duper V5.12 on a floppy disc from Paul EI5DI at the RSGB HF Convention in 1994. For the last 25 years SD has been at the heart of my Contesting, DXpeditions and Special Events. Here is a brief summary of my success with SD by EI5DI.
• In 2001 I worked 13,500 CW QSO’s on the Barry A.R.S. DXpedition to St Helena Is. and Ascension Is. as ZD7K & ZD8K. (SDX)
• In the RSGB IOTA Contest 2002 I was GW4BVJ/P on Flat Holm Island EU124 and came 1st in the Island, SO LP 24 Hr CW DXpedition Section. (SDI)
• In 2002 CQ WW DX CW, I was the top scoring G station in SO AB LP as GW8K and won the CDXC plaque. (SD)
• I operated GB19SG, CW & CGW in the RSGB Cricket World Cup Activation, making 9,415 QSO's. (SD Special Events template).
The CWC was an important event, there were many award chasers and we all had to be at the top of our game. I looked forward to each day to opening SD, starting a new log and announcing my arrival on the bands on the cluster. SD allows you to modify your CW memories very easily and I developed a new technique during this event with CW ESM. After sending the call & report I logged the QSO with F12 then either sent TU with ESM or 73 TU on F8. It was good manners and seamless.
We often had pile-ups when you least expected them, building from 30 QSO’s/Hr to 280 QSO’s/Hr, SD is at its best when you’re flying.
Likewise opening SDCHECK at the end of the session, selecting option 2 for the .ADI file, and I had the log uploaded to Hamlogs in minutes. I operated 41 days of the 46 day event and produced over 50 .ADI logs. SD was outstanding in its operation and made log management easy.
Opening a new log in SD is a kind of ritual, as the anticipation and excitement builds towards the contest. When you have SD Logging (and Winkeyer for CW) at the centre of your station, you know your output will be high quality, that you will have fun and have an opportunity to achieve good results.
SD is an integral part of the thrill of operating CW & SSB at GW4BVJ.
I have always been a fan of 'Call Type-Ahead' where you can type in DL9 and hit Enter to start sending, then put in RCF and it will tag it on the end, you can get back to stations promptly with this method. In more recent times ESM, Enter Send's Message enables you to rattle through CW & SSB pile-ups fast and efficiently.
SCP command enables Super Check Partial, I use this in nearly all contests as it is enormously helpful in challenging conditions, although I always trust my ears. It is a very easy process to download the current masterdx.dta and other files from supercheckpartial dot com and replace the old file in SD, so you are up to date for every contest or event.
The SD Logging screen is smart and clearly displays all the information you need, SD’s operation is intuitive and multiplier enquiries are just a function key away. You can also be sure the score in the summary score window is always correct.
Another strength of SD is that the comprehensive manual runs to a succinct 16 pages and the SD Feature Summary Sheet is a single side of A4. You can actually get around the summary sheet during a contest if you need to.
SD is hooked up to my Winkeyer USB 3 on CW and has CAT control of my transceiver. CONFIG is the simple command to look after both ‘R’ Radio and ‘C’ Winkeyer.
The following commands will become second nature; Apostrophe; Toggle ESM, Grave Accent; Toggle RUN/S&P in ESM. X; swap CW or SSB, To cancel a QSO during the contest, arrow up to it and add /Z and it will be gone the next time you open the log. To abandon a live QSO hit Minus and to get rid of the last logged QSO use ZAP. You can ZAP back through the log as many as you want. If your rig isn’t CAT controlled take the caps lock OFF, arrow up to the QSO and hit F2 to go LF, or hit F1to go HF and F2 edits the mode. You will find many more useful commands in the manual, from CQT to set time between CQ’s, to B15 for 15m etc.
At the end of the contest you open the SDCHECK program and produce your Cabrillo log, option 1. I love the simplicity of selecting Computer, Local Disk (C:), SD, where you will find every program file and log in Alphabetic order. You will find your Cabrillo log here say WAE DX HF 2109.LOG simply cut and paste to your desk top, rename as MW6M.LOG and you are ready to upload.
I have a Kenwood TS-590SG fitted with the VGS-1 Voice Guide/Storage unit and in SD V21.13 Paul has updated the KENWOOD.SD file so that if you are in SSB mode, VOX on, DVR Enabled and CAPS LOCK ON, the Function Keys F1- F3 play CH1- CH3 on the VGS-1. This is really neat, it's a great advantage as a contester to have CW and DVR on the function keys for fast, efficient ESM.
In essence, it is this ease of use combined with the power under the hood that makes SD a winning combination. You can now download SD for free in September 2019 and it now includes the RSGB IOTA contest.
You can make a donation, you will enjoy first class support.
Thank you for a fabulous program Paul and all the developments over the years, it has given me the greatest pleasure and success, rock on SD!
73 Rich GW4BVJ
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| G4ATA |
Rating:      |
2015-03-18 | |
| Value for Money |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
SD is no longer free. 20 Euros gets you a key to register for one year and get any updates within that 12 months. The key will work with those versions for an unlimited time.
I for one have just paid my 20 Euros in time for WPX SSB.
SD is simple to use and gives you everything you need ....who needs fancy GUI interfaces? I have seen SD criticised for it's "old-fashioned" look. Let's face it all you need is something that's going to log your QSOs and produce a cabrillo file at the end of it! SD does this and much more with the minimum of fuss.
Run it, tell it which test you're doing and away you go, start logging your Q's.
I can't imagine doing a test without it.
Keep up the good work Paul.
73 to all and see you in the contest...
John, G4ATA (aka M4D) |
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| G2YC |
Rating:      |
2014-06-26 | |
| Simultaneously Simple & Sophisticated |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| As a new contester in 2007, I was weened on SD or Super Duper as it was once known. At the time I didn't know any contest software but my club used SD and the contest was IOTA--for which SD is originally designed. Later I saw there were others but most are more complex than is needed. All you want is the simplest of commands with only the necessary extras. Although the user interface might look clunky, the software is clean, simple and robust. Don't be deceived--everything you need is there. And if you have a problem or a fix is required, the answer comes direct from the designer Paul. He no longer charges for the software (it is now free of charge), but I send him money because I don't want to see the day when SD is no longer available. Try it and see for yourself. |
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| G2JL |
Rating:      |
2013-02-04 | |
| Any problems are yours ! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I loathe contests. I get roped in to partake in some, & started using SD years ago. Having learned to "RTFM" (user advice) I can't see why other software exists. Operator-understanding difficulties are resolved by Paul, with no fuss, & IF one found a bug, I'm sure he'd fix it PDQ. He is not Epson, Microsoft or Virgin Media. Rig control & WINKEY interfacing are excellent. Unfortunately, there is no command to improve propagation... |
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| G4PKP |
Rating:      |
2013-02-03 | |
| Probably nothing better |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Strange that a couple of people give it a bad review! (opposition possibly)? KISS is the operative word. It couldn't be simpler to use. Most of the time all you've gotta do is enter the other guy's serial number. Maybe that's too much of an effort for some people. As for 25 euros, waddya want? Free? No such thing as a free lunch. You pay peanuts, you know the rest!
Superb backup and practically every contest supported of every major and minor contest, Cheap at twice the price, you'll never use another one.
John G4PKP |
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| VE3CUI |
Rating:      |
2013-01-19 | |
| I Absolutely LOVE It! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I was oh-so-slow getting into the computerized era of Cabrillo log submission, but based upon someone's suggestion, I tried "SD"---and was instantly hooked.
I use it strictly "post-contest" here, & find that that suits all of my needs perfectly.
A couple of years ago, however, our Windows-based computer bit the dust---foolishly, I replaced it with an iMac from Apple...and so ended my love affair with SD...
But fast-forward to Christmas 2012 when Santa left a new HP laptop under the tree with Windows 8 on it! Needless-to-say, I've been practising-up on my "SD" skills ever since that laptop's arrival here.
Imagine that: getting a stand-alone computer, devoted exclusively to "SD"...! That's how much I like that programme, & explains why I haven't submitted ANY contest entries in the intervening two years...! |
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| N6HA |
Rating:  |
2011-10-30 | |
| not worth the money |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| It's a text-only ANSI interface that runs in an 80x27 terminal window and looks like old DOS software. The webpage alludes to some kind of graphical interface by calling it a "windows contest logger" but doesn't provide any screenshots. I was very disappointed when I saw the text-only interface. The price of the software is insulting. Who would pay 25 euros for this? |
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| KF7DTQ |
Rating:   |
2011-10-27 | |
| Keep looking! |
Time Owned: N.A. |
| Tried the demo, downloaded it, tried to work with it...just was not for me. Too steep of a learning curve and a sub-standard gui that is slow and clunky to work with. Im sure once you invest the time it drives just fine, but there are other choices that are better organized and save you time logging during a contest. This one, for me, was a struggle to get up and running on and the demo log just didnt demo it very well at all. Very surprised considering all the great reviews on here, but I supposes its a case of different strokes for different folks. |
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| GI4NKB |
Rating:      |
2011-03-11 | |
| Simply outstanding |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I have used this software for many contests and special event stations and it has never failed me. It supports more contests than you can shake a stick at, it is slick and intuitive, has a small foot print, runs on just about anything, supports the Winkey seamlessly and has a flawless implementation of ESM (enter sends message). It interfaces with just about any rig out there - I've used it with Kenwoods, Icoms, Yaesus, Elecrafts and the Flex 5000, it is updated regularly and support from the author himself is prompt and friendly. Once you sit down to use this software you will at once appreciate that the author is himself an active contester and DXpeditioner not one single keystroke is superfluous, something you learn to appreciate if you're at the sharp end of a pileup :) If you plan on taking part in any contest in the unassisted category it doesn't get any better than this. Thanks Paul! |
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