Computer Logging with DXKeeper

Why Computer Logging?

• So BRARA can keep an accurate log for N4BRF

• So BRARA can QSL for FREE with LOTW

• When a computer is interfaced with a radio, the computer will automatically enter frequency, mode, time. Just enter the call. Logging becomes fast and accurate. The shack will eventually have this capability.

• When the computer interfaced with the radio is internet capable, name, address, grid, state, QSL and other info can be automatically added to the contact info

Why DXKeeper as Logging Program?

• Many logging programs can conveniently do computer logging. Not many can conveniently select contacts from a log and create an ADIF with a few clicks.

• DXKeeper is one module of DXLab, a FREE suite of interacting DXing modules. DXKeeper can be very simple. Or it can be used with the other DX Lab modules to implement a very powerful DXing tool.

• DxLab is extremely well documented. If you can follow written instructions, you can have success with it. DXLab has a Yahoo group that is very active. The author of the software is very active on this group.

• It doesn’t matter what logging program you decide to use. What is needed is an ADIF file of your N4BRF contacts, however you make it.

4 Steps to an emailed ADIF

• Log your contacts into computer software

• Select the contacts you want to be in your ADIF.– You don’t want to ADIF someone else’s contacts– You don’t want to ADIF contacts you’ve already

emailed

• Make your ADIF

• Email your ADIF to llibsch@bellsouth.net

Step 1 Log your contacts into computer software

Using DXKeeper from the N4BRF Shack

• If Using the club laptop at the shack, click the DXLab Launcher icon on the desktop.

• You'll see this

• Click the dot above "dxk" and the DXKeeper logger will open.

This is the dialog box where you enter your contact info, much like when you log on paper

Let's do a Sample Contact Entry.

• Press the button "New" to enter data for a new contact.

Type in the call in the box that says "Call." All letters are converted to caps by the program

.

Always click ”mode” first after entering call or program will not enter defaults

Click the arrow in the "mode" box. Choose the correct mode, or if the software has made the right choice you're set.

The program will enter some additional info. Check that the additional info is correct

Data Entry Notes

• The program uses the last mode and frequency that were entered. If you have changed operating mode or frequency, you will need to correct them. Just select the text in the box by scrolling over it, then type the correction.

• The program will enter the date and time that you click the mode arrow. If you log 'em as you work 'em, that's a big time saver. If you copy to computer from paper log after you've worked 'em, just correct the time.

• The program may or may not enter Name and QTH. These need not be entered to log the contact. The ending time also is not require to log a contact.

• You must have data in the call, mode, frequency, begin time, tx band and DXCC boxes in order for the program to accept the log button command to log the contact. The DXCC entry is the country prefix. Usually, but not always, the software will enter these for you.

• If you forget a data item, the software will remind you. The data box label will flash.

• When the contact data is entered, click the log button to log it.

• The contact will appear in the log below the dialog box.

Add, Delete, or Correct a Contact

• You can delete a contact after you have entered some data, but before you log it, by pushing the delete button.

• To add another contact, click the "New" button.

• To delete a contact after it has been logged, select it by clicking in the box to the left of its call in the log. Then press the "Delete" button.

• To correct or add any info to a contact, select the call, make the addition or correction, and press the save button.

Step 2 Select the contacts you want to be in your ADIF.

• To make an ADIF file, first select the calls you have worked. You can do this by using a selection filter.

• The filter data entry box and filter buttons are at the bottom of the page you have been using for data entry and below the log.

• If yours are the only contacts on the computer they are already selected.

• If yours are the only contacts made since 00:00 Feb 3, 2013 use the “Since” filter to select them. you have made them, i.e. you worked 3 calls on 2/13/2013 and no one else has worked any that day,

– type the date, in this case 2/13/2013 into the filter box. – If necessary, clear the filter by clicking the X to the right of the box, and

delete anything in the box. – Click the Since button. Only those calls made since that date will now

show in the log page. That's good, because these are the calls you want to turn into and ADIF file.

• If someone else has logged contacts on the same day as yours use the advanced filter. Access the advanced filter from the Adv button.

• Use the “UTC Filter” with the radio button in the "after and before" choice to isolate the times for your contacts. Click filter. Only your contacts will now appear on the log page.

Step 3 Make ADIF

Now make the ADIF

• . Click the "Export QSOs tab at the top of the dialog box on the right. You get this question. Say NO so that you keep your contact selection.

• Put the dot in the choice "Export Standard ADIF."

•In the box to the right of "Insert in ADIF header," Enter the date followed by your call as YYYYMMDDURCALL

• Click the Start button and name the file as you did

above YYYYMMDDURCALL

•Click save and you see this

• Push "Start" at bottom left and you get a choice of where to put the file. I'll put it on the desktop for easy finding

• Click the "Log" tab at the top left to return to the log.

• To exit DXKeeper do not use the X in the right upper corner. Rather, click on the open Launcher window at the bottom of the screen to reopen the Launcher.

• and see the Launcher as below

Click terminate

Click yes to close both DXLauncher and DXKeeper

Step 4 Email ADIF

• Please email ADIF to llibsch@bellsouth.net