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Reviews For: Skookum Logger for OS X

Category: Ham Logging Software

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Review Summary For : Skookum Logger for OS X
Reviews: 8MSRP: Free
Description:
SkookumLogger is a single-op possibly-assisted CW and SSB contesting
program for Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) or later running on 64-bit- capable
Apple computers.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.k1gq.com/SkookumLogger/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
1384.8
NU6N Rating: 2022-11-12
Great flexibility but did not work for me Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
First, I truly appreciate efforts anybody puts into free software. And for that I am thankful to those hams. Even though I did not find the logger suitable for me it does provide me and other Mac users with an option on a Mac.
TLDR; I am a Mac user but bottom line is I set up a Windows machine just to support contest logging. I am CW guy and the biggest feature this logger misses, from my experiences, is ESM. But again YMMV as other reviews show.
The logger is truly designed for contests. It is very flexible and configurable. It has all major contests (at least those I care). From the functionality perspective it does have almost everything I need. BUT... for me it is very hard to use. The biggest reason is UI design.
First and the most - lack of ESM. In normal typing scenario you will hit ENTER or equivalent button very often and significantly more often that any other button. That is exactly a reason why ENTER is twice size of normal button on Mac and 3x size on PC (I use PC keyboard on Mac for this reason in particular). If one uses ENTER in ESM, the one will have significantly less mishits compared to any other button used - because ENTER is larger and ergonomically placed. I found very inconvenient replacing ENTER with anything else. Particularly if you use practice software like Morse Runner and RufzXP.
Second, intelligent messages that support ESM-like implementation don't support convenient error recovery. If a normal transmission sequence is broken and you need to retransmit it would require 1-3 button additional button presses compared to other software. For contest settings where people are tired it is inconvenient and error prone.
Third, though for some people it is insignificant, it does not support logging on two computers simultaneously. Not a deal breaker for me but it is a very nice option to have.

P.S. Another nice to have is direct CW keying using transceiver.
W8JJ Rating: 2020-05-27
Excellent macOS Contest Logging Application Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Wow, I'm so impressed with everything about this software. It combines two of my favorite gadgets: ham radios and macOS computers. Finally, a logging software that leverages all of the amazing user features that I'm accustomed to from Apple. Contest season will be better than ever this year. I'm excited to use my MacBook Pro and Elecraft rigs together at last.

The author of this software is Bill, K1GQ, who provides amazing support. The program is free and you will not be disappointed. This is a full-featured world class logging program. Skookum Logger supports a long list of hardware and the most popular contests. You've got nothing to lose - check it out and you will have your rig and K1EL WinKeyer USB configured and running in less than 5 minutes.

There are infinite customization options for selecting your preferred keyboard shortcuts for frequently used tasks while contesting. I can't wait for Field Day 2020 to really try this out under contest conditions. My preliminary evaluation suggests it will perform well.
KA1IS Rating: 2018-12-20
best contest logger for Mac OS Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have used Skookum Logger for contest and general logging for the past two years. I needed software that would run on a Macbook for portable operation.

What I like best is that its a simple clean logbook interface that supports most radios and K1EL Winkeyer protocol. It does all the stuff you need for contesting in a minimal interface that is easy to read on a small screen. And it does it well. This is a solid robust program with regular updates.

K1GQ provides excellent support. He added an interface for the Ten-tec Eagle within a few days of asking about it.
CT3HY Rating: 2018-08-06
Good Contest App for SSB & CW Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
There are a lack of ham radio software for a Mac user, but we dont need many Apps but good Apps.
With the process of learning the Skookum logger app i´m also learning to do contests. It cames with a very good help manual that helps who is starting to contest.
A very good ham radio software!
M6LDZ Rating: 2015-09-19
Amazing Support Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
If I could give Bill and Jonathan more than 5 I would.
I asked if there was a way that I could get my 991 to connect to it and Bill spend his Saturday morning working out the codes, testing them with me and by lunchtime I had a working link to the radio.
As far as I am concerned there is no other contest logger for the Mac that comes close. I run a windows virtual machine as well but would not be tempted away from Skookum for what I use it for.

K5ICW Rating: 2014-12-04
A Winner ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a relatively easy software to learn and use. I only use the software for logging and not rig control.

A BIG positive feature for someone like me is that there is an excellent instruction book attached to the software package. My learning curve is a little longer as I am not intuitive with software. It took me several hours of experimentation to figure the operation of the software out.

I downloaded FREE Skookum software because I had just purchased Aether Logging software through Apple ( $ 40 ) and was not happy. Aether has no customer service. Emails go unanswered.
Whereas, Skookum has a good set of help documents imbedded in the software.

My two cent swarth… dit dit
K3DCW Rating: 2014-07-26
Modern Contest Logger for Mac Time Owned: more than 12 months.
While there are several great contest software packages for Windows, there is a much smaller collection for OS X. Fortunately, although the quantity is not as large, the quality is just as high.

SkookumLogger, written by Bill Myers (K1GQ), is a full-featured contest software package written for OS X. Featuring all of the tools that most contesters require, SkookumLogger is a ready-for-prime-time contest software package that seems to be flying under the radar.

SkookumLogger includes support for 26 different radios, including all of the major "contest rigs", WinKeyer support, and control of a variety of rotators, amplifiers, tuners and switches all via serial (or USB-Serial) connections. Of course, it includes all of the "standard" features, such as real-time scoring, SCP, DX Clusters, band maps, Run/S&P support, CW messaging, and support for a variety of SCP/Country/Club databases. Pre-configured contest masks are available for all major contests, including those of the ARRL, CQ, RSGB, National DX Contests, QSO Parties, Misc other contests, and General "Nontest" logging. If a contest is not supported, Bill is very good about working to get it added.

So, how does it work? Well, to steal from Apple, "it just works." It is solid, reliable, and I have never experienced an issue while using SkookumLogger in a contest. At the 2014 WRTC, an event dominated by Windows software like WinTest and N1MM, SkookumLogger was used by one team in their competition. If it can be used at this level of competition, it can meet your needs in OS X as well.

So, I STRONGLY recommend SkookumLogger for contest logging. There is no need to boot into BootCamp to run an old Windows program when such an outstanding OS X-native application exists.
K5ND Rating: 2011-02-22
Great contesting logger for Apple Mac Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I've been using Skookum Logger for Mac for contesting. I've found it fits the bill for an Apple Mac environment. K1GQ is very helpful in answering my questions, many of which address configuration issues with my iMac. The software has been upgraded a couple of times, and each time it gets better. Skookum Logger works with a few different rigs. I use it with an Elecraft K3. It also works with a Winkeyer. The full system operated very well for me in the recent ARRL DX CW contest.