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Reviews For: CQ/X by NO5W

Category: Ham Logging Software

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Review Summary For : CQ/X by NO5W
Reviews: 2MSRP: FREE
Description:
CQ/X is an amateur radio contest logging program developed specifically for the mobile operator in state QSO parties with emphasis on fully integrating GPS devices and mapping information into the planning, operating, and post-contest phases of these types of contests.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.no5w.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0025
K5END Rating: 2009-07-18
10/5 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Those serious about contesting should take a detailed look at CQ/X for their logging program.

If I could give a score of 10/5 for this, especially in mobile contesting use, I would. For CW-Mobile contesting I would give it 15/5. Seriously.

This software is free, but valuable.

For mobile contesting it performs a calculus algorithm with GPS data against the application's embedded USGS data to calculate and know the current county, estimated time to the next county line, elapsed time in current county, and so on. No more searching in vain for county line markers that may or may not be posted, that one may or may not be able to see!

It also displays other real-time "dashboard" info useful to the contest operator. In CW mode it has the option of announcing estimated time to the next county line--useful to announce to the county hunters following the contester. In SSB mode it has fields that automatically display information for the convenience to the user.

Working a huge pileup and you're a short distance from the next county line? This you will know in real time from the "dashboard," without having to use mouse clicks or the tab bar; then you decide what to do based on the information it provides for you.

It draws maps indicating the locations at the times of the exchanges.

It compiles and yields the contest log in Cabrillo format.

It comes pre-configured for a ton of particular contests, NAQP, IARU, sprints, state QPs and so on. During set up it lets the operator know if he/she has left out specific data required for that specific contest. For example, in set up for IARU it flashed me a warning message that my exchange data (ITU zone) field did not make sense. I had inadvertently left it as "TX" after my outside participation in a previous out of state QP, and there is no ITU zone "TX." I entered "7" in the appropriate box on the menu/GUI and it was then happy.

During the contest, the exchange data is typed into a single GUI box as copied by the operator--in any order! It automatically "knows" which text is a call sign and which is the other required exchange data. Extra spaces don't confuse it. After the contest, it sorts all that info out, automatically, generates and stores the log file on the PC.

If a dupe is encountered, the box goes red and tells the operator that the contact is a dupe under the contest rules (such as same band, same mode, same county, for a mobile QP.) The exchange can still be logged (if for no other reason than to help a runner keep the pileup going smoothly by avoiding a crash with a "lid," uh, or, put more politely, "an unaware, confused or beginner search-and-pounce operator." The upside of this is it keeps YOU from being that lid. If you try to work a runner who is a dupe, and you type the runner's call sign in as you hear it, it lets you know YOU are the dupe and you can therefore avoid embarrassing yourself.

During CW contesting, one can conceivably operate the contest simply by typing in the other station's exchange data and hitting the enter key.

CQ/X is pretty amazing, and contains lots of pleasant surprises--far too many to list here. With any application this sophisticated, one will get out of it according to what one puts into it. In other words, Read the manual and the support documentation, thoroughly. The radio control interface does not support every radio, yet. I know it does support the IC-706MKIIG, IC-7000, FT-100D and K3, for example. To find out whether your radio is supported, check his web page. The link is at the top of this thread.

Enjoy! And happy contesting!
N5NA Rating: 2009-02-03
The Only Way to GO! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I first used CQ/X in the 2006 Texas QSO Party after reading about it in the NCJ. After that one use I was hooked. For anyone operating mobile in a state QSO party CQ/X is the ONLY way to go! Of course, you can also use it from a fixed station but mobile operation is where it really shines!

The unique feature of CQ/X that no other logging program offers is the integration of GPS data. The GPS automatically sets the county in the log as well as the CW macros. There's no opening a new log for each county you operate from and no resetting macros to the new county. CQ/X handles that and more.

With some prior planning, CQ/X will tell you how many miles and minutes to the next county. You can also set up waypoints to let you know how long until lunch or whatever you set up. Of course, it also has rig control and supports Winkey.

The program currently supports 23 state QSO parties and several other HF contests.

If you enjoy operating mobile in state QSO parties, CQ/X makes it even more fun! I highly recommend it!