Going all the way back to my Novice days in the mid-70s, I’ve always been a bit anal… er… diligent, when it comes to logging contacts. Years ago I started using logging software and that diligence persists. Over the years, I’ve evolved to a logging process that I’m sure some would find overly complex. It’s actually not that bad and it works well for me.
I use a variety of methods to capture QSO information. Eventually, everything ends up in one central log. From there, all QSOs are uploaded to Logbook of the World (LoTW). The diagram below shows how everything ties together.
Here are the main components of my logging system:
ACLog. I use this software by N3FJP for my main log. All QSOs, no matter how they are made or logged wind up in here. Because most of my HF operating is done while portable, I added a few custom fields to keep track of where I was (MY_QTH), what rig I was using (MY_RIG) and what power I was running (TX_PWR). Everything in my main log gets uploaded to LoTW. ACLog makes it very easy to do that. For casual operating at home, I enter the contacts directly into ACLog. Same goes for paper logs from portable operations with just a few contacts. For larger batches of contacts, I might resort to other methods.
ADIF Master. I use this great piece of freeware a lot. It allows me to take an ADIF file and easily add in the custom fields I keep track of and do a quick bulk edit to populate the fields for all QSO records in the file.
Fast Log Entry (FLE). I wrote about this software in an earlier post. This came in handy last year for National Parks on the Air activations. When I used paper logs for activations, FLE gave me a fast way to enter the QSO data and generate an ADIF file.
SKCC Logger. I use AC2C’s SKCC Logger software to log all of my Straight Key Century Club contacts. This software does automatic lookups from the SKCC member database when you enter a callsign. It also helps keep track of award levels and generates award applications. From SKCC Logger, I generate an ADIF file for further editing and importing into ACLog.
fldigi. Every now and then I get on a digital mode kick. Initially, I use fldigi’s internal log and export an ADIF file. I haven’t worked JT65 or JT9 in a while but, when I do, I export an ADIF file from the WSJT-X software.
HamLog. When I’m away camping for a few days, I use HamLog on Android cellphone to log my contacts. If I have a cell connection, I can do QRZ.com lookups while logging a contact. I export an ADIF file when I get home. After, editing the ADIF and successfully importing it into ACLog, I go back to HamLog and clear out the log file so I’m ready for the next trip.
Contest Loggers. When I use a specialized contest logging program for a contest… Well, you know the drill. I export an ADIF file, edit in my custom fields, and ingest it into ACLog.
So, that’s it in a nutshell. It probably sounds complicated but it has all become second nature to me. I’m not suggesting that you do the same but, perhaps, some of the utilities and techniques will be useful to you.
I hope to see you somewhere down the log!
72, Craig WB3GCK