Ham Radio QSO Parties

In another post I am comparing many aspects of several logging programs. Eventually each will be compared feature by feature.

I already use N3FJP software so am familiar with it. I decided to try out N1MM to learn its advantages.

Indeed the install went reasonably well with only one minor annoyance… it wants to reboot the computer. For those who don’t know most of the Windows operating systems from NT (late 1990s) and later do not need to reboot the computer just because a program was installed. If a program does require this, then it is messing with system files which also went out in the NT days.

So fine it wants to reboot the machine. I decided to not reboot and fire up the program straight away. I got to a setup screen, accepted the defaults and wound up with the very nice command console…

A quick visit of the menus reveals a lush assortment of settings and abilities that I see can be very helpful during a contest.

A review of these features will come later. For the moment I will try to help you understand which program you should choose for your very first Virginia QSO Party.

N1MM is a generic contest program which can handle many different contests. You customize it for the particular contest. The web site has help available to set up for QSOPARTY mode where you can then, allegedly, pick Virginia. I tried to follow the instructions, but, hanging my head in shame, cannot seem to figure out how to get this into Virginia QSO Party mode… at least not quick enough to write this post. This is, by the way, essential as you will need a continually increasing QSO serial number and active dupe checking by band-mode-county. I can see this program has great potential and I am eager to learn more.

A full review of N1MM will be coming soon, but the point of this post is to help those new to ham radio and computerized logging pick a package for the upcoming Virginia QSO Party. With time so short I can only suggest that you pick the N3FJP software for your first time. Here’s why:

• N3FJP distributes a program for each supported State QSO Party (here is the list) where most other programs have a central application you then customize with helper files.
• You can find the Virginia QSO Party N3FJP program here.
• The program installs with one file and does not ask to reboot the computer.
• Once you start the program it is all ready to go with a setup of about 11 pieces of information.
• The counties, cities, states, provinces and countries are already loaded, configured for Virginia QSO Party and ready to go.
• The program offers a large screen interface… some folks don’t like the logging program to take up the whole screen and I understand. However, if you are a beginner you are not likely to be using your computer for anything else so why not have the logging screen be the main feature?
• It performs proper dupe checking, scoring (remember to put /M after the callsigns of mobiles you work), and tracking of how many multipliers you have and need.

Is it perfect? No.

Can it do what N1MM can? No.

Is it quirk free? No. See the review for details.

Will I be using it next year if I get into advanced computer control of my rig and want other features? Depends, but probably not.

Is it free? No. $6 (also available as part of a package for about $40)

Does it work as a logger for the Virginia QSO Party? Yes.

Is it good enough? Yes. This is the point. Better is frequently the enemy of good enough.

If you want to learn about an advanced logging program today then by all means try N1MM, but please load it up sooner than later so you will have everything set up and ready to go by March 15. FARA members who use N1MM with great success are ready to provide assistance.

If you want to have a good enough logger up and running and ready to start the Virginia QSO Party in about two minutes, download and try the demo today. If you like it, pay N3FJP $6 to unlock the program the next time you start it – this will remove the 20 or so QSO limit of the demo.

By the way if you are only going to be making a few contacts during the Virginia QSO Party you may as well just use a paper log. One example is available here.

Good luck.

It would help readers of this post if knowledgeable users of N1MM could post a few helpful hints in response to this article. Thanks for any help you can provide Andy, Tom, Mark or the other FARA N1MM users.