Contest logging software refers to specialized

computer software Software is a set of computer programs and associated documentation and data. This is in contrast to hardware, from which the system is built and which actually performs the work. At the lowest programming level, executable code consists ...

programs designed for use by competitors in

amateur radio Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is the use of the radio frequency spectrum for purposes of non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, private recreation, radiosport, contesting, and emergency communic ...

contesting Contesting (also known as '' radiosport'') is a competitive activity pursued by amateur radio operators. In a contest, an amateur radio station, which may be operated by an individual or a team, seeks to contact as many other amateur radio stati ...

. Most contest logging software is written by individual

programmers A computer programmer, sometimes referred to as a software developer, a software engineer, a programmer or a coder, is a person who creates computer programs — often for larger computer software. A programmer is someone who writes/creates ...

who are active radio contesters.

Purpose

The primary purpose of contest logging software is to record the details of two-way radio contacts made during amateur radio contests. At a minimum, these details include the time, band or frequency of operation, the

call sign In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign (also known as a call name or call letters—and historically as a call signal—or abbreviated as a call) is a unique identifier for a transmitter station. A call sign can be formally assigne ...

of the other station, and the received "exchange" data. This log data is recorded in a

binary Binary may refer to: Science and technology Mathematics * Binary number, a representation of numbers using only two digits (0 and 1) * Binary function, a function that takes two arguments * Binary operation, a mathematical operation that t ...

ASCII ASCII ( ), abbreviated from American Standard Code for Information Interchange, is a character encoding standard for electronic communication. ASCII codes represent text in computers, telecommunications equipment, and other devices. Because of ...

format. Most contest logging software packages will also compute a running score for the contest during operation and will help track which multipliers have been "worked" and which have not. Typical contest logging software includes features for post-contest processing of the log to prepare it for submission to the contest sponsor. There is great variation in the features offered and their specific implementation, which can lead to passionate debates among the supporters of specific software packages.

Common features

Many programs offer advanced features for controlling external devices; this can include controlling the frequency of a radio, sending

Morse code Morse code is a method used in telecommunication to encode text characters as standardized sequences of two different signal durations, called ''dots'' and ''dashes'', or ''dits'' and ''dahs''. Morse code is named after Samuel Morse, one of ...

over a

serial port In computing, a serial port is a serial communication interface through which information transfers in or out sequentially one bit at a time. This is in contrast to a parallel port, which communicates multiple bits simultaneously in parallel. ...

parallel port In computing, a parallel port is a type of interface found on early computers (personal and otherwise) for connecting peripherals. The name refers to the way the data is sent; parallel ports send multiple bits of data at once ( parallel ...

interface, interfacing with

sound card A sound card (also known as an audio card) is an internal expansion card that provides input and output of audio signals to and from a computer under the control of computer programs. The term ''sound card'' is also applied to external audio i ...

s used for the

transmission Transmission may refer to: Medicine, science and technology * Power transmission ** Electric power transmission ** Propulsion transmission, technology allowing controlled application of power *** Automatic transmission *** Manual transmission *** ...

and

reception Reception is a noun form of ''receiving'', or ''to receive'' something, such as art, experience, information, people, products, or vehicles. It may refer to: Astrology * Reception (astrology), when a planet is located in a sign ruled by another p ...

of digital modes such as

RTTY Radioteletype (RTTY) is a telecommunications system consisting originally of two or more electromechanical teleprinters in different locations connected by radio rather than a wired link. Radioteletype evolved from earlier landline teleprinter o ...

, or controlling

antenna Antenna ( antennas or antennae) may refer to: Science and engineering * Antenna (radio), also known as an aerial, a transducer designed to transmit or receive electromagnetic (e.g., TV or radio) waves * Antennae Galaxies, the name of two collid ...

amplifier An amplifier, electronic amplifier or (informally) amp is an electronic device that can increase the magnitude of a signal (a time-varying voltage or current). It may increase the power significantly, or its main effect may be to boost the v ...

hardware. Some software programs include specific features for

single operator two radios Single operator two radios (SO2R) is an operating practice employed by some competitors in the sport of amateur radio contesting. By using two transceivers attached to separate antennas, competitors can listen to one amateur radio band while tran ...

(SO2R) operations. A related market exists for software designed to analyze, convert, or manipulate log data recorded during radio contests. Contest logging software, whether free or commercial, is available for DOS, Linux, and Windows platforms. Some contesters dedicate older computers specifically to running their favorite contest logging software.

Available software packages

The following contest logging software packages are widely used and available. Some are offered for sale, and others are available without charge under various

licenses A license (or licence) is an official permission or permit to do, use, or own something (as well as the document of that permission or permit). A license is granted by a party (licensor) to another party (licensee) as an element of an agreeme ...

Contest Loggers - Current

Free

* HamRacer Uses synthesized voice keyer * N1MM Logger * QARTest
SD by EI5DI
* TR4W * VK Contest Log Mostly Australasian contests with some international events *

TLF by PA0R TLF may refer to: *TLF (band), French rap band * TLF Apparel, American clothing brand * Telefol language, a Papua New Guinean language *Terry L. Fossum; Winner, Kicking & Screaming, Season 1 on Fox Abbreviations * Timing Library Format, a type of ...

, now maintained by DL1JBE Linux * DXLog - free since 2019

Free - VHF-Only

MINOS by G0GJV In Greek mythology, Minos (; grc-gre, Μίνως, ) was a King of Crete, son of Zeus and Europa. Every nine years, he made King Aegeus pick seven young boys and seven young girls to be sent to Daedalus's creation, the labyrinth, to be eaten ...

For European VHF/UHF contests * RoverLog by N1MU Multiplatform, VHF/UHF for fixed stations and rovers - Not updated since 2017 * Tucnak by OK1ZIA Linux Multiplatform, VHF (Limited HF support)

Commercial

* N3FJP Log * Win-Test by F5MZN * WriteLog by W5XD

Legacy Contest Loggers - not in Development

* CQ/X de NO5W GPS Enabled for Mobile Contesting * KLog Linux * MobileLog by N0HR PocketPC/Windows Mobile PDA * NA by K8CC DOS * TR Log by N6TR DOS * VHFCONT by KC6TEU * VHFCTest4Win by S52AA VHF Reg1Test * VHFTEST by WG3E

Post-contest log analysis and conversion software

* Contest LogChecker by UU0JC * LM contestsoftware by DL8WAA - Legacy, not updated since 2013 * JARL eLog Maker - Legacy, not updated in many years * LogConv by KA5WSS * LogView by EI8IC - Legacy, not updated since 2011] * QScope online log analyzer for statistics and charts by XV4Y * SH5 log analyzer

References

*Allison, George K5IJ (1985). "The Super Duper--Part 1". ''

QST ''QST'' is a magazine for amateur radio enthusiasts, published by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). It is a membership journal that is included with membership in the ARRL. The publisher claims that circulation of ''QST'' in the United St ...

''. Sep. 1985, p. 27. *Allison, George K5IJ (1985). "The Super Duper--Part 2". ''

''. Nov. 1985, p. 44.
"eHam User Reviews"
of logging software. *Newstead, Richard G3CWI (2001).

Retrieved Dec. 7, 2005. {{Refend

External links

by AC6V
Contesting Software
complete list by The DXZone Amateur radio software Radiosport