Logging without trouble
"The computer and logging software do it all by themselves."
In an ideal world.
In our world we'd like to give a few recommendations to reduce the waste of time and nerves of participants (and of ours).
- Better use a regular contest logging software instead of logbook software
- If you have logged on paper we strongly recommend like many other contests the easy to use freeware lm by DL8WAA afterwards (see a our guide for it below on this page)
- Export a cabrillo file and save it under the call used (filename like DL8MBS.log) if the software didn't do this by default. If the log is in a different format (adif or anything other than Cabrillo) convert it with lm (guide here).This guide as pdf for download.
- Doubleclick on the file which should open in a text editor. Look whether call used and correct category are in the upper part of the log above the QSO-lines (header). Then have a quick look at the loglines if they contain all necessary info (missing serial numbers or times not in UTC are rather common issues).
- Then submit your log via webupload
- Check the answer of DARC-Logrobot and take it serious! If something is wrong it will mention the possible cause of the problem. For an easier diagnosis header and QSO lines of the log will be shown.
- If the problem persists after changes ask ham friends or contact us at wag-info at dxhf2.darc.de
THANK YOU!
Making and converting logs with lm
Initial remark: Try it once with this guide in reach, afterwards this guide should not be necessary anymore.
- Download from this site the lm freeware made by DL8WAA
- After operating the contest start lm and click "File>new"
In the upper left box choose the contest just worked (in this example WAG as non-DL station), add the call transmitted during this contest in MyCall, choose between single or multioperator and choose the power level you used, then click "ok" at the bottom. You can ignore all other fields for now - but of course may fill them out, especially operator call(s) if you have used a club- or contest-call as single op or have been MultiOp. Also soapbox comments are welcome telling about your station, antennas and interesting moments during the contests.
The QSO input form
!!! Select "Edit>Standard edit mode" (otherwise LM inserts the actual clocktime of your PC while entering data in lm, not the real time of the QSO) !!!
To change date, band and mode there are dropdown menues which will appear when you click on the fields, like the one you see for selection of correct band (see above). You need to click them only when date, band or mode differ from the QSO entered before.
Now click on the field "call" and fill in the first callsign. Then hit the tab-key to reach the field "time" or click on it (see below). Clear it completely with backspace and insert the time of the QSO.
Then continue with the Tab-key or with mouseclick to the field for the received contest exchange. RS(T) is 59(9) by default and your sent serial number will increase by one with every new QSO-line, but you can change the preset number by clicking on the field and insert another serial number (in case of double or omitted serials during the contest – which are no problem for checking as long as they represent what was sent in the QSO).
The fields for exchanges vary of course from contest to contest as some require “DOK”, others a serial number or even both.
After all data in the log line is entered hit Enter and the Plus-sign (+) and you will see the next line ready for you:
When you "tab" from the callsign field to the time field the cursor will place on the last digit which you then can simply overwrite, so you need not to fill in the whole four digit timestamp. If you need to change more than the last minute clear the necessary digits with backspace.
Now is a good time to save the log on your hard disc via menue points File>save as... and choose at best your call as file name, resulting in a file like AA0AAA.lmf. It is good practice to save regularly during data entry with CTRL-S.
Fasttrack for advanced users:
Fill out coloumns insted of rows. Hitting Enteri.e. after each call will place the cursor in the field for the next call. After entering all calls you will then enter all times and so on. It is faster but for a start filling out complete log lines may be more intuitive for many. But it is something to check what fits better for you.
Last step - getting the logfile for submission
When you have inserted all QSOs hit theF5-key once to get the score calculated, save again with CTRL-S and then click in the menue "File>Export>Cabrillo" (see below) and choose your call used in the contest as name for the then generated file with a name like AA0AAA.log
Save it on your disk where you like.
Now is a good time to also export the log in adif-format via the same menue just one item below. The adif can then be imported into your allday QSO logbook to add all contest QSOs.
Now doubleclick the Cabrillo file in its file directory on your harddisk. These .log files are simple text formats like .txt formatted files and therefore should open in the basic text editor of your computer. If the PC initially should ask which program to use chose the basic text editor as standard and be done with it for all following Cabrillo files.
The opened log file should look such with a header portion containing info about contest, call and category followed by the part with the log lines of QSOs.
Check whether basic infos about call, category and power fit to your operating in the contest.
In DARC contests category titles need NOT fit exactly with the wording for them in the rules, as this will be done properly later in the upload dialog with the robot.
Final plea: Have a look at the log lines for obvious irregularities or missing items – to save you and the adjucators time and nerves.
Now you are done: Save the file again and submit via the upload tool of the contest.
:-)
Convert any log with lm into Cabrillo format
The software lm also allows to make files in the required format Cabrillo out of lines with nearly any do-it-yourself arrangement of QSO-contents or from the output of logging programs that cannot export Cabrillo files. How it works:
Click "file>import" and then choose either one of the given format types (if your log comes in one of this types like swisslog or the common adif format) or choose "ASCII text file".
It will open the menue shown below to choose in the upper left the contest (in this example WAG as non-DL station), the callsign used in the contest, single- or multi operator, powerleveland finally "OK" at the bottom. Of course it is fine to also add soapbox comments and operators.
Clicking "OK" opens the real converting-menue, which allows to mark and assign the coloumns in the existing log to the required coloumn sequence of Cabrillo. Initially the log to be converted looks such with coloured markers unsorted scattered around:
The lower part has coloured fields for the respective contents like day, hour, received exchange etc. There you can insert the number of the respective coloumns for this position in your log as indicated by the number of the coloumn shown on top of the menue (red arrow).
In this example the red fields for day have to be filled with 7 to 8; the fields for mode with 24 to 26 (be generous with the necessary field lengths to adjust to their possible size, i.e. better three coloumns for RST if you have worked in CW or mixed mode...), but not too much to not include letters or figures already belonging to another log-coloumn. In this example you could use for Call up to coloumn 54 (even if this length will not be needed by any callsign). The software indicates the range of your selection with markers in the colour of the respective content like call or day so that you can always check whether your selection fits. When all fields are filled it should look such - and can still be changed when you detect something when scrolling down the log:
If everything looks ok, click on "OK" (choose "no" if asked whether you want to change a specific “list”). Now a regular lm-log with its white and yellow lines should open. If it is ok, then choose "File>export>Cabrillo"and save the file with the used callsign as filename like AA0AA.lmf where you want to store it on your disk.
Then doubleclick the file, which should open in a text editor, check the informations in the header, have a look at the log lines for obvious irregularities, save again.
Again: In DARC contests you need you to fill in the exact wording of the category names into the header of the Cabrillo log, as the later upload dialog will take care of setting the correct category name.
Done :-)
WAG-Contest: Suitable logging software
DL8MBS 19. 07. 2016
Following programs support this contest (by manufacturer declaration).
Freeware
- TR4W (TR for Windows) is a logger by UA4WLI which supports the WAG. It's based on the popular DOS program TR, with many improvements. From version 4.31.3 on it shows a warning when a call should be entered while being in one of WAG's contestfree segments. http://www.tr4w.net/
- LM by DL8WAA is a Post-Contest logger and powerful editor/converter. Basic instruction on WAG-site.
Download under http://contestsoftware.com
- Writelog Contest Modules by Carsten DL1EFD
Download under http://www.dl1efd.de/
(use the Writelog Legacy installer helper to install the moduls; software works only with commercial Software Writelog by W5XD)
- GenLog Contest Logger by W3KM
Download at http://www.qsl.net/w3km/
- The N1MM+ Logger is a freeware program designed to do contest logging and some general logging.
Download of N1MM+ logger at https://n1mm.hamdocs.com/
- RUMPed (by DL2RUM, for Mac Computers).
http://dl2rum.de/
- SWL_DQR_Log (by SP7DQR) is a Contestlogging-Software for SWLs which allows direct logging during the contest as well as post-contest logging. It generates a file with lines in Cabrillo syntax. We highly recommend to use this software as SWL, because we will not accept paper logs. It is intuively to use for post contest logging the handwritten QSOs (and has even a dupe function by right click in input fields). Only trick before you start typing after the contest is clicking right in the date field and choose "off-line-logging" (see below). Download at http://sp7dqr.pl/en/contests.php
Shareware
- Super Duper by EI5DI
SD V11.04 has been released to fully support both sides of the Worked All Germany (WAG) contest. Warning about contestfree segments when using CAT.
Download at http://www.ei5di.com
Commercial Software
- UCXLog (by DL7UCX) is a logging program for general QSOs and many contests. Warning about contestfree segments when using CAT (version 7.23 and higher): http://www.ucxlog.org/
- Win-Test
by F6FVY/F5MZN. Win-Test is a contest logging software compatible with all the operating systems Windows 32 bits with no exception. Originally designed to be used in a network based on TCP/IP topology, the multi-operators stations will particulary appreciate its easy deployment and its robustness in this demanding context.
Notice! Please update to at least version 3.27.1 / 4.1.0 for correct functionality!
Win-Test allows a warning indication of the contestfree segments with a few clicks before the contest: Download file wag.seg into the "/extras"-directory of WT; chose it before the contest via "Options>Data files>Segments files menu"; then right click onto bandmap and activate the indicator in the contextmenu with "Display options">Segments>display"; pictured also in WT-Manual here (tnx file and info DL6RAI)
http://www.win-test.com
- DXLog by 9A5K
Close relative to Win-Test. Has warning function about contestfree segments; (website & Download http://www.dxlog.net
Cabrillo - Example logs
Please find further specification details about Cabrillo on the Cabrillo page.
Important hint: You do NOT need to invest a lot of time editing your log header for an exact category nam. When uploading your log you will find a selection of WAG's categories and then simply click the one you have operated in. Clearer and easier for all ;-)
Non-Germany Cabrillo 2.0
START-OF-LOG: 2.0 CONTEST: WAG ARRL-SECTION: DX CALLSIGN: 3Z0DKI CATEGORY: single operator, mixed, low power CLUB: CLAIMED-SCORE: 50100 NAME: Ireneusz Kwiatkowski ADDRESS: ADDRESS: ADDRESS: OPERATORS: sp2dki CREATED-BY: DQR_Log (c) SP7DQR SOAPBOX: QSO: 7000 CW 2010-10-16 1651 3Z0DKI 599 01 DL7BQ 599 H08 QSO: 7000 CW 2010-10-16 1702 3Z0DKI 599 02 DF9ZP 599 F54 QSO: 7000 CW 2010-10-16 1703 3Z0DKI 599 03 DL4ME 599 X30 QSO: 3500 CW 2010-10-16 1758 3Z0DKI 599 25 DQ750UEM 599 750UEM ... QSO: 14000 PH 2010-10-17 1023 3Z0DKI 59 123 DB6MC 59 NM END-OF-LOG:Non-Germany Cabrillo 3.0
START-OF-LOG: 3.0 CALLSIGN: OH0X CONTEST: WAG CATEGORY-OPERATOR: SINGLE-OP CATEGORY-TRANSMITTER: ONE CATEGORY-ASSISTED: ASSISTED CATEGORY-POWER: HIGH CATEGORY-BAND: ALL CATEGORY-MODE: MIXED CREATED-BY: (Your Logger) CLAIMED-SCORE: 634920 CLUB: Contest Club Finland NAME: XXX YYY ADDRESS: Operator's street ADDRESS: FI-12345 Hamvillage, Finland OPERATORS: OH6KZP SOAPBOX: A fun contest, but a geomagnetic storm ruined Sunday partly here SOAPBOX: from the north. Got to brush up on my school German, as I tried SOAPBOX: to make most of the SSB QSOs in German! :) QSO: 14249 PH 2015-10-17 1501 OH0X 59 0001 DL5EAQ 59 R04 QSO: 14249 PH 2015-10-17 1502 OH0X 59 0002 DL0DG 59 L02 QSO: 14249 PH 2015-10-17 1502 OH0X 59 0003 DF3IS 59 A36 QSO: 14249 PH 2015-10-17 1503 OH0X 59 0004 DK9GUN 59 R04 QSO: 21021 CW 2015-10-17 1504 OH0X 599 0005 DJ8EW 599 C25 ... END-OF-LOG: