Review by Peter Bacon, G3ZSS

Windows Logging Software

I have used a computer for keeping my log book for a long time but recently I have been investigating Windows based logging software packages. My favourite package has been Turbolog and it is a difficult task to find a new software package that is equal to or better than Turbolog. Turbolog is an excellent package with many unique features not found in other packages. However, Turbolog is a DOS programme and does have a number of limitations when running in a Windows environment. Following a recent upgrade to Windows 95, I decided that the time had come to find a replacement for Turbolog. In my search for a new software package I looked at Logic for Windows, Dxbase, and AEA Log Windows. However I felt that none of these were up to the standard of Turbolog.

Recently I was checking through GJ4ICD's World Wide Web page on the Internet and saw a reference to a new programme, DX4WIN that could be found at http://www.erols.com/pvander. This Internet site contains a full demonstration version of DX4WIN written by Paul van der Eijk, KK4HD.

DX4WIN is a programme which will run under Windows or Windows 95 and is very easy to install and configure. The programme has all the logging features you would expect of a comprehensive package plus a good interface to the packet cluster network.

Awards

For award hunters the package supports DXCC, WAS and WAZ as well as USA Countries, IOTA and TEN TEN.

QSL Labels

A nice feature of DX4WIN is the ability to print QSL labels using the popular Avery sheets including Laser labels. Multiple labels can be printed on a sheet and one label can accommodate more than one contact with the same station. If a station has a QSL manager then this information may also be printed on the label, for example "V85PB via G3ZSS". Being a Windows programme, you can also select the font for the labels.

Packet Cluster

The packet cluster interface has a separate window for displaying spots. Spots are colour coded to reflect status of New Country/New Mode/New Band and spots are voice announced via the Windows Sound System. The user may select which type of spots to announce. If a spot contains any QSX frequencies in the comments field, then this information is used when "double-clicking" on a spot to force the rig to QSY, for example if a QSX frequency like WKD 14205 or UP 2 is found in the comments field, then my FT1000D will automatically set the rig to split mode and put VFO B on the appropriate frequency.

Reports

DX4WIN can generate a number of different reports, for example DXCC lists and summaries, as well as IOTA lists and summaries. The programme can even print reports on Grid Squares worked which is very useful for 6 metre enthusiasts.

Import form Turbolog

One of the hardest parts of upgrading to a new programme is importing information from another logging programme. DX4WIN includes import filters for most popular packages including CT and NA. After correspondence with Paul KK4HD the package now includes an import filter for Turbolog files. Due to various bugs in Turbolog I do not believe that this procedure will work with TL versions before 3.08. In order to use this filter it is first necessary for you to create a new export file containing the information you want to export from the log book. In my case I set "search scope" to "ALL QSO's"; "Filter by" to "Pass all"; "Display" to all fields starting with "Date" and ending with "Comments"; "Sort" by "QSO order", "Delimiter" by "Spaces"; and finally "Execute" to a "data file". Despite doing all of the above I did find that the exported Turbolog file had a few glitches in the output file, for example putting the QSL information in the wrong column for a few QSOs, and would recommend that you should first check the file with a text editor before importing into DX4WIN. This import filter has worked fine for me in importing a very large file of my V85PB log as well as my current G3ZSS Log. However, although the log showed my DXCC credits, I did have to go through the log afterwards to update my DXCC credited records for a single band award (6m DXCC).

Radio Support

DX4WIN claims to support most popular most popular ICOM, Kenwood and Yaesu models. I have only been able to verify this with my FT1000 D. The programme has a Panorama display function to show S meter readings for a range of frequencies centred on the current frequency. There is also a scanner function to allow you to monitor up to 16 frequencies with the frequencies being set from either the DX spotting window or from the radio.

Summary

I do like DX4WIN and would recommend that anyone considering an upgrade to a Windows based logging programme should take a serious look at DX4WIN The programme is still in a Beta stage of testing (version 0.97 is currently available as of 1 April 96) but I have found it to be stable with no problems. Paul, KK4HD, has also been very receptive to suggestions for improvements to the programme, for example, my request to include European A4 sized label sheets, and the report on Grid squares. If anyone has any problems with importing Turbolog files then I will try my best to help out. Any mail may be addressed to pbacon@dialin.co.uk

73 Peter Bacon G3ZSS