By Clive Maby G4NAQ
NAQLog development started in September 2021 initially to teach myself VB.Net. During CHOTA 2021 SARC decided to use some free logging software but that had its own quirks which became quite frustrating for some users. I therefore decided to familiarise myself with Microsoft Visual Studio and VB.Net to develop something we could use at the club. NAQLog is the result.
Whilst software such Swisslog and N1MM are excellent they are fairly complex and require the operators to be familiar with them. For events such as CHOTA and JOTA these are not a good option for inexperienced operators.
The main requirements were
- A SQL database. SQLite was chosen as the database due to its lightweight nature and a handful of useful 3rd party applications to help with the development.
- No 3rd party separate software installations or components
Features
- 2 Logging Modes – Normal and a Contest Mode.
- Automatic date and time logging. Option to manually start QSO time in settings.
- Log Editor, Search and filter facilities.
- Log Management including a health-check facility
- Multiple logbook support.
- Validation – RST and Maidenhead locators are validated. Distances calculated if home location provided.
- Export data to ADIF (separate option for POTA / WWFF format) and CSV file format for use with other logging software, databases and printing. Complete log or date range.
- Import data from ADIF, Cabrillo and CSV formats – audit file produced following import.
- Optional operator field (useful for JOTA, CHOTA type events).
- Country/Callsign lookup based on cty.dat file.
- Reference databases BOTA (Beaches & Bunkers), HEMA, MOTA, POTA, SOTA, WCA (English refs only), WWFF.
- Friends facility to auto populate regular contacts name, location and locator (if not present in the logbook).
- Icom, Kenwood and Yaesu CAT support.
- DX Cluster facility with CAT Control.
- Ham QTH lookup.
- CW sending (for ICOM transceivers in Contest Mode only at present).
- Voice memory sending (for ICOM transceivers in Contest Mode only at present).
- Support for JTDX, MSHV, VarAC & WSJT-X auto logging
In May/June 2022 after having some extra time on my hands and with a greater appreciation of vb.net I restructured the forms. The major change being the logbook is the first form presented and all actions are either based on buttons/short cut keys or a revised menu. The Logbook screen location/layout settings are now retained. The existing logbook format is unchanged so existing logbooks should work and also the new version will co-exist with the old version.
The latest addition to the software provides a DX Cluster connection and Band Plan. Clicking on spots in either window will switch the radio to the frequency and appropriate mode (ICOM and some Yaesu transceivers currently supported).
Paul G0OER has installed NAQLog on Linux under Wine & provided the following instructions if you wish to try this approach.
The software is supplied as a exe file/installer. This file has been verified using https://www.virustotal.com/.
The download below is from my own domain. You may be warned the file is unsafe, please report as safe if you have time otherwise just keep the file. Similarly Windows may report the file as being unsafe.
If you find any problems or issues with the software I will investigate them. I can be contacted via our “contact the webmaster“.
Clive G4NAQ
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS”, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.