Wilderness Contest Logging: More Options

It appears that a palm-sized computer may soon be standard equipment when adventurous hams take to the field.

HamPilot Version 2.2

Software developer Chris Williams recently contacted me to say that version 2.2 of HamPilot is now available. Chris has expertly reprogrammed this general logging program over the past month, moving version 2.2 light years ahead of his previous offering. A few remaining shortcomings in dupe checking limit the use of HamPilot as a contest logger, but Chris assures me that he will made additional improvements within a few weeks. You can download a free trial version of HamPilot which allows entry of 15 QSOs at http://www.palmgear.com. The fully functional version is $10.

QSO Diary

In recent weeks, Ray Goff, G4FON, announced the availability of a lightning quick logger that he has developed for the Palm platform. Ray is offering his wonderful little logger as freeware. It can be downloaded at his website http://www.qsl.net/g4fon/.

QSO Diary uses only 18K of memory, yet is loaded with great features. It is very easy to use and is readily adaptable to many contests and circumstances. Like more memory-consumptive programs, QSO Diary allows rapid data entry, quick band and mode changes, dupe checking and download of logs to a desktop computer.

This program is "hot off the press." I exchanged a flurry of e-mails with Ray and saw his logger improve dramatically over just a few days. A few problems in dupe checking remain at this writing, but I anticipate they will be worked out very soon. Ray is soliciting additional suggestions and working hard on his offering.

QSO Diary is an elegantly simple program for those seeking maximal functionality with minimal use of memory. It is clear that it will soon be highly useful logging tool for the outdoor contesting crowd.

MobileLog

A PDA logging program for Windows CE 3.0 has become available within the
past several weeks. This is a color program with an astounding number of functions and features written by N0HR. I was impressed with his description of the features, but was unable to test it on my old Casio PDA.

A full description and trial download is available at http://n0hr.tripod.com. The fully functional version is $29.95.

GOLog

Early in January I received an e-mail from Dave Ek, NK0E, describing a highly unique contest logging and CW sending program that he has developed for the Palm OS. Dave is an avid outdoorsman and member of ARS who developed GOLog specifically for outdoor contest logging. The program is not intended for general purpose logging, although it might be used for that purpose with some limitations.

GOLog was initially written for Field Day and was tested while Dave operated from a tent high in the Colorado mountains. The program is clearly a labor of love written by one who understands contest operating as well as he does computers.

In addition to logging contacts, GOLog can key your CW transmitter. The program can call "CQ contest" and send your CW contest exchanges much like desktop contest programs, but you must first construct a PIC keying interface to make it functional (see photo).

Dave initially described GOLog and the PIC keying interface in a two-part article published in the Summer and Fall 2001 issues of "QRP Quarterly." The complete text of the articles, the schematic, and free download of the fully functional GOLog keying and logging program is available at Dave's web site, http://home.earthlink.net/~ekdave/golog.html.

Dave describes his program as a "work in progress", but it is remarkably bug-free. Over the several weeks we have corresponded he has made a number of changes to GOLog that significantly improved its sophistication and ease of use. I think the program is brilliantly conceived for adaptability, economy, and ease of use. It requires only 41K of storage on the PDA.

The current version of GOLog provides rapid data entry with flawless dupe checking and band and mode changing. In addition to features discussed above, GOLog allows you to set up multiple contest files which are downloaded to your desktop computer as separate logs when you Hotsync your PDA.

While in the field, Dave hooked his little computer to a clipboard using Velcro for ease of use. His PDA attached to the keying interface via a simple serial cable available from Palm Computers for about $20. Be sure that an appropriate serial cable is available for your PDA if you intend to use the interface in this way. Using Dave's circuit, I have interfaced my Palm Vx to my Sierra, SST's, Small Wonder rigs and K2. It should work with virtually any rig. At this point my Handspring PDA will not key the interface, but works perfectly as a stand-alone logger. Dave promises to look into adaptability of other Palm OS based computers as his resources allow.

Recent revisions to the keying interface allows paddles to be connected so that it functions as an independent electronic keyer once the keying speed has been set by the PDA. Dave has contacted members of a well-known QRP club who have expressed interest in kitting his interface. Before this is done, he may appreciate some help assuring that his interface is compatible with the variety of Palm OS based palm-sized computers now available.

One must develop some skill with the writing stylus to make GOLog and other PDA programs workable. Future versions of GOLog may include keyboard compatibility, but it is not clear to me that it is possible to attach both a keyboard and a keying interface to currently available palm sized computers.

I have had great fun with the logging and keying functions of this fine program. The current version is replete with features and free of bugs. have found it a delightful and highly functional contest logging and sending program. Even more amazing is that GOLog is available from its generous developer for experimentation and use at absolutely no cost.

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Dr. Bob Armstorng, N7XJ, an expert outdoorsman, homebrewer and contributing editor to The ARS Sojourner, is a country doctor living in Manti, UT.

barmstrong@mail.manti.com