[WriteLog] Writelog for general logging?

Thu Feb 28 11:54:00 EST 2013

On 2/28/2013 10:55 AM, Michael Armstrong wrote:
> Well, to be totally honest guys, I normally export my writelog
> contents at the end of that particular contest and import it to my
> normal daily logging program......

You are correct - this is not generally a problem for *contest* logs
since they are typically exported once at the end of the contest.
The ADIF is imported to another "everyday logger" and handled that
way or the Cabrillo is used as an input to tQSL and archived.

 > Unless I am missing something here...... or is it that the "subject
 > line" above is the operative point..... Someone is trying to use
 > writelog for general logging chores.

Yes, the subject line is the operative point.  There are many who
prefer to use their contest logger for everyday operation - whether
it be WriteLog or one of the half-dozen or more other contest
programs - as they believe using the same logger eery day makes them
more productive in the contest (muscle memory, familiarity, etc.).

Unfortunately, a "contest" like the "General DXCC DXCC tracking log
keeper" or "Dxpedition Mode" (other contest loggers have similar
facilities) does not end at 2359z on Sunday.  This means that those
who use the contest logger and "push the button" when then close the
station often upload every (non-contest) QSO they have ever made each
time they upload logs to Logbook (in some cases every day!).

Again, the issue is not limited to Writelog by a long shot ... it is
inherent in a "contest that never ends."  The solution lies not only
in additional controls with the software but with user education and
a willingness of the user to make the effort to "upload responsibly."

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV

On 2/28/2013 10:55 AM, Michael Armstrong wrote:
> Well, to be totally honest guys, I normally export my writelog contents
> at the end of that particular contest and import it to my normal daily
> logging program...... From there I do the LOTW thing because it does
> what I mentioned earlier and flags the QSOs for LOTW sent or not.  So I
> tell the "daily" logging program to export the LOTW qsos that haven't
> been flagged as sent and then tell it to flag them as sent at the same
> time.
>
> So that keeps me up to date with LOTW without having to use date ranges
> and the like.  It IS a really good point, given the recent LOTW issues
> with delayed processing after major contests, that there should be a
> facility that flags LOTW sent (or something of that nature) in writelog
> so that ENTIRE logs aren't uploaded again and again and again.  However,
> I am not really sure that is a truly valid issue since a contest log,
> for any particular contest, should contain only those qsos from that
> particular contest only, right?  If so, then uploading a contest log to
> LOTW should only contain the qsos from that ONE contest.  So no
> issue........
>
> Unless I am missing something here...... or is it that the "subject
> line" above is the operative point..... Someone is trying to use
> writelog for general logging chores.  I don't think I would recommend
> that, personally, because so many features, in the generic logging
> software, are missing in writelog..... which is the way it should be to
> speed up the program and not have all those unnecessary functions
> hogging memory during a contest.
>
> Hope that wasn't too long.  BTW, I am switching from Logger 32 (a VERY
> good logging program) to a commercial one that I paid for recently.  The
> commercial one has some features I find particularly useful and they
> aren't likely to be written into Logger32 any time soon because, quite
> frankly, they wouldn't be of interest to the vast majority of hams.....
> just me.... LOL.  Anyway, I find the LOTW export functions and the
> importing of logs from Writelog into Logger 32 to be flawless..... In
> case anyone was wondering what I was using and how easy/difficult it was
> to switch between the two programs (Logger 32 and Writelog).
>
> Mike AB7ZU
>
> On 2/28/2013 8:20 AM, Jay WS7I wrote:
>> Well I just log my own callsign at the time I send to LOTW.  So I just
>> use writelog's find call and select the dates in between.
>>
>> Jay WS7I
>>
>> On 2/27/2013 6:28 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
>>>
>>>> I agree this is a cumbersome process and would hope a fix could be
>>>> provided so WL can export the date ranges itself rather than have to
>>>> produce the entire adif and then hone it down further outside of WL.
>>>
>>> It could be something as simple as storing the date/time of the last
>>> exported QSO in each log and then not exporting anything prior to
>>> that unless the user confirmed an "override":  "You have already
>>> signed the QSOs before YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM for LotW.  Are you sure?"
>>> (for "General DXCC Tracking Log")  or "You have already signed this
>>> log.  Are you sure?" (for a specific contest log).
>>>
>>> 73,
>>>
>>>    ... Joe, W4TV
>>>
>>>
>>> On 2/27/2013 9:14 PM, Gary AL9A wrote:
>>>> Frank,
>>>>
>>>> Yes, I've seen that work around mentioned on the reflectors before.  It
>>>> will work, provided the pilot is as conscientious as you and makes note
>>>> of the start and end dates to be uploaded each time.  I agree this is a
>>>> cumbersome process and would hope a fix could be provided so WL can
>>>> export the date ranges itself rather than have to produce the entire
>>>> adif and then hone it down further outside of WL.  Many opportunities
>>>> for something to go wrong or for inexperienced/lazy pilots to just
>>>> upload the whole shooting match each time!
>>>>
>>>> 73,
>>>> Gary AL9A
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Frank Fallon" <n2ff at optonline.net>
>>>> To: <writelog at contesting.com>
>>>> Sent: February 27, 2013 3:12 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [WriteLog] Writelog for general logging?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Good point, Gary.
>>>>>
>>>>>  But there is another alternative which avoids downloading another
>>>>> logging program.  It's a little bit more cumbersome, but I solve the
>>>>> problem by having Writelog export my general DX log as an ADIF file to
>>>>> a folder I named "LOTW" and then I call up TQSL and ask it to sign the
>>>>> entire file. At a point in the process I then have the ability to
>>>>> specify start and end dates.  Using that feature enables me to send a
>>>>> much smaller file.  Yes, it takes more time but avoids using another
>>>>> logging program.  Yes, It certain would be great if the date range
>>>>> features was directly available in Writelog.  (hint hint nudge nudge).
>>>>>
>>>>> Frank...N2FF....
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 2/5/2013 5:02 AM, Gary AL9A wrote:
>>>>>> There is a problem with using the both the DXpedition mode and
>>>>>> General DXCC tracking log keeper and exporting to LOTW from these
>>>>>> modules. Whenever you do a File/Export/Trusted QSL file... you are
>>>>>> exporting the ENTIRE log to LOTW, not just the latest QSOs. Unlike a
>>>>>> true general logger, WriteLog's various modules lack the ability to
>>>>>> select just some QSOs in the log by specifying a range of dates to be
>>>>>> included in the upload.  This is not a problem for uploading a
>>>>>> contest log as you do want to upload the entire record. But...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If your log is small this is not a big problem.  However, if your log
>>>>>> contains thousands of QSOs you are needlessly uploading thousands of
>>>>>> duplicate transactions to LOTW with each update. This is an enormous
>>>>>> waste of LOTW computer resources and needlessly causes delays for the
>>>>>> entire LOTW community.  A far better approach would be to find a good
>>>>>> general purpose logger, either a freebee from the internet, or a low
>>>>>> cost product that offers the features necessary to control which of
>>>>>> your log records are going to be uploaded to LOTW.  The DXLabs suite
>>>>>> at http://www.dxlabsuite.com/ comes to mind as it is a powerful
>>>>>> package that is free for the asking.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If you have need of a general logger and want to use one of the
>>>>>> WriteLog modules fine.  Just be a considerate amateur and don't
>>>>>> utilize the LOTW upload directly from these modules. Instead find
>>>>>> another way to create a tq8 file that contains only the few new QSOs
>>>>>> that you need to upload.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>> Gary AL9A
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> WriteLog mailing list
>>>>> WriteLog at contesting.com
>>>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/writelog
>>>>> WriteLog on the web:  http://www.writelog.com/
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----
>>>>> No virus found in this message.
>>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>>> Version: 2013.0.2899 / Virus Database: 2641/6136 - Release Date:
>>>>> 02/27/13
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> WriteLog mailing list
>>>> WriteLog at contesting.com
>>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/writelog
>>>> WriteLog on the web:  http://www.writelog.com/
>>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> WriteLog mailing list
>>> WriteLog at contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/writelog
>>> WriteLog on the web:  http://www.writelog.com/
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> WriteLog mailing list
>> WriteLog at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/writelog
>> WriteLog on the web:  http://www.writelog.com/
>
> _______________________________________________
> WriteLog mailing list
> WriteLog at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/writelog
> WriteLog on the web:  http://www.writelog.com/
>