[MacLoggerContest] Any other topics?

[Jonathan G0DVJ]

On Feb 28, 2005, at 9:56 pm, John Bastin wrote:

> Realistically, KC1XX et al. have priorities for their "big gun" 
> stations and those priorities are the best radios, the best antennas 
> and the best operators. Computers and software are far down the list 
> of investment items. CT and NA are attractive and widely-used programs 
> that have one VERY big quality - they run in DOS, which means the 
> contesters can have very good software running on the cheapest, 
> salvage and refurbished hardware available. WriteLog is a popular 
> program for the newer users who already have hardware that came 
> running Windows, but the old-timers are still DOS people.

Exactly - same as the big guns this side of the Pond!

> Despite my earlier comment, probably the main thing that would be nice 
> for our software is that it be able to handle data in currently-used 
> amateur radio formats, meaning Cabrillo and ADIF, for purposes of 
> moving data from one machine to another or even from platform to 
> platform. Let's face it, despite what Bill dreamed about, I'm not 
> going into an established multi-multi setup with my PowerBook to sit 
> down and operate; that multi-multi already has computers at every 
> radio and a couple of spares if needed. Even if the software could 
> converse, the hardware nightmare of going in there with a 'strange' 
> computer and trying to wire it up would only be counter-productive for 
> the contest operation. And in the end, that's the bottom line: does it 
> help the score? If not, it's not getting in the door.
>
> So in the beginning, let's have contesting software that works for the 
> single-operator and multi-single operations, where the guy (or gal) 
> who wants to enter the contest just happens to already be a Mac user. 
> If he's a single-op, he wants to use the platform he's comfortable 
> with, and if he's hosting a multi-single, the ops coming in will use 
> whatever is there. They don't care, as long as it helps the score.

I couldn't agree more.

> Important points? Here's my vote:
>
> Radio control
> CW/FSK generation (copy is necessary for FSK, not for CW)
> Fast dupe checking, whether there are 5 contacts in the log or 5000
> Automatic journaling, so even if you have a power failure, NOTHING is 
> lost.
> Native coverage of a wide range of contests, with the ability to 
> change the entry format to whatever is required for a particular 
> 'test, and to accurately compute the score at the end. An ongoing 
> display of the current score isn't really necessary, but a display of 
> multipliers/bands needed would be a plus.

Thanks for the input John - I don't think I would have to compromise 
much to agree with you :)
It's pretty much what others have said too - taking your previous 
paragraphs into account too.

73,
Jonathan G0DVJ
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