[ct-user] CT versus WRITELOG

[Rob Kennedy]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for your EMAIL.  Also thank you to all the other HAMS on this
reflector who sent  EMAILS directly to me expressing their opinions on CT
and Writelog.

The consensus appears to be that WRITELOG is the program to use for RTTY and
PSK31 contests.  But for SSB and CW, most of the EMAILS I received appear to
favour CT.  Even though it is a DOS program, it is more intuitive and easier
to use in CW and SSB contests than WRITELOG.

It is too bad that CT does not let one modify existing contests or define
new contests.  I understand that with WRITELOG, you can add new contests or
modify existing ones but you need to be a C programmer.  What a pain!

There is another alternative.  I used Logic 5.2 for Windows during the ARRL
SSB DX contest.  It lets anyone to modify existing contests when the rules
change or define new contests quite easily.  You don't need to be a C
programmer.  It is very flexible.  It is surprisingly easy to add new or
modify contests.  You can easily define the multiplier rules, bonus points,
QSO points etc.

Logic scores the contest as you work each station.

My only big complaint with Logic 5.2 for Windows is that it is still a
little unstable.  It crashed once during the contest.  It did not like PY0FF
call.  It may be just a corrupted prefix table (Logic's equivalent to CT's
country file).   I have asked the folks at Personal Data Applications to
confirm whether it was simply a corrupted prefix table.  But one crash is
enough during a SSB contest!

Logic 5.2 for Windows could also improve its reporting of needed multipliers
etc.  CT is much better in this regard.

73's

Rob


>From: "Andrew J. O'Brien" <obrienaj@netsync.net>
>To: "Rob Kennedy" <amtor@hotmail.com>, <jjreisert@alum.mit.edu>,
<CT-USER@contesting.com>
>Subject: Re: [ct-user] CTPATH variable
>Date: Tue, 7 Mar 2000 16:07:55 -0500
>
>Robert, I have used Writelog, Logger, and CT( 9).   My  Writelog experience
>is via testing at a friends QTH.  At this moment I have decided NOT to buy
>Writelog because it does not seem easier to me than CT.  I may be wrong but
>the playing around I have done with Writelog has me convinced that it is
not
>at intuitive as CT.
>
>Writelog would be better for the digital modes since it has RTTY, and PSK
>built into it.  For CW and SSB modes I am quite content to contest with CT.
>CT does not have as many contests in it as I would like whereas Writelog
has
>a module that allows a C programmer to add new contests.
>
>I like Logger very much for digital and CW contesting , I would make it my
>favorite contesting program except for one minor point, it does not score
>the contest.  IF there was away to export Logger's ADIF files into CT and
>then have CT score and generate the log files for the contest managers, I
>would be in heaven!
>
>Andy KB2EOQ
>
>----- Original Message -----
>
>From: Rob Kennedy <amtor@hotmail.com>
>To: <jjreisert@alum.mit.edu>; <CT-USER@contesting.com>
>Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2000 3:44 PM
>Subject: Re: [ct-user] CTPATH variable
>
>
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I thought there might be a newer version of CT version 8.  I asked the
>folks
> > at CT.  They said that there was NOT any newer versions.
> >
> > They also said that they do not support CT8 anymore.  They want me to
fork
> > out $45 to upgrade to version CT9.
> >
> > On the CT web site, there are no upgrades for CT8.  There are some
>utilities
> > but that is it!
> >
> > Perhaps there is an upgrade in the REGISTERED USER section of the web
site
> > but you must be a registered user of CT9 to gain access to that part of
>the
> > web site.  Being a registered user of CT8 is not good enough.
> >
> > I also understand that CT8 may not be Y2K compliant.  If so I may be
>forced
> > to upgrade -- JUST TO FIX A Y2K BUG!
> >
> > I may just switch to WRITELOG for Windows which appears to offer more
> > features than CT.  Some HAMS also think WRITELOG is also easier to use
> > (especially if you are a Windows fan).
> >
> > I will have to do some more research before making a final decision
(i.e.
> > whether to continue with CT or go with WRITELOG for windows).  I have
used
> > CT since CT7.
> >
> > 73's
> >
> > Rob
> >
> >
> > --
> > Submissions:              ct-user@contesting.com
> > Administrative requests:  ct-user-REQUEST@contesting.com
> > WWW:                      http://www.k1ea.com/
> > Questions:                owner-ct-user@contesting.com
> >
>


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