DXtreme Station Log — Multimedia Edition 
Version 10.0
Product Summary Our popular Amateur Radio logging program has turned 10!
with the updated Last Log Entries grid.
Below: Integration with Afreet's Band Master.* |
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OverviewDXtreme Station Log — Multimedia Edition™ combines the features you'd expect in a ham radio logging program with the multimedia features you'd expect from DXtreme Software. With DXtreme Station Log, you can:
To make a long story short, DXtreme Station Log™ makes it fun to maintain your electronic logbook and manage your QSLs!
DX Spot Checker™
Station Log comes with a DX Spot Checker™ that receives DX spot announcements from Telnet-based, DX Cluster servers.1
As each spot arrives, the DX Spot Checker checks your Station Log database and lets you know by colorful rich-text and audio whether you need a:
These DXCC and Mode Status Indications Can Also Be Turned Off But if you prefer not to receive visual and audible DXCC and Mode announcements, you can turn them off in DX Spot Checker Options. If you do, only the spots themselves appear. You can turn the announcements on and off whenever you want to. VUCC Status Indications For VUCC aficionados, the DX Spot Checker can automatically or manually display VUCC status information for incoming spots — per band — providing you with a history of status checks you can peruse whenever you want to.
A setting in Options lets you turn automatic VUCC status checking on and off. Another setting lets you suppress the display of verified spots. Whether automatic checking is on or off, you can perform manual VUCC status checks by double-clicking the frequency of a spot, right-clicking, and then clicking VUCC Status Check on the shortcut menu. A subscription to HamQTH.com, Buckmaster HamCall, or QRZ XML Logbook Data is required for the VUCC Status feature, and the Maidenhead grid locator must be known to the callsign subscription service you select. You can use the VUCC status information to determine whether to contact a station for a new or verified grid. The scope of and captions for VUCC status checks are determined by the settings you make in Preferences.
The Caption text box lets you specify the desired four-character caption for related fields and menu items throughout the application. We suggest VUCC when the VHF/UHF/SHF Only check box is selected, and Grid when the check box is cleared. Display of Short- and Long-Path Bearings
When the latitude and longitude of a spotted station are known to DXtreme Station Log, short- and long-path bearings from your QTH to the station spotted appear on the DX Spot Checker window whenever you perform the following actions:
And when the latitude and longitude of a spotted station are not known, you can always obtain the short- and long-path bearings from your QTH to the entity selected in the DXCC box. Logbook of the World User Indication The DX Spot Checker can be set so the spots of LoTW users appear in font attributes and colors that are unique, making it possible to tell at a glance whether the ham is using LoTW.
In the example above, the green bold italic spots indicate LoTW users. You set these font attributes in Options.
DX Command Buttons Buttons labeled DX Ad Hoc and DX SL Window appear on the DX Spot Checker window. Clicking them inserts a DX announcement template into the Send Command box.
You edit the template, supplying the desired information, and then press Enter on your keyboard to send the announcement to the server. As its name implies, clicking DX Ad Hoc inserts a generic template: DX <call> <freq> <remarks> Overwrite the <call>, <freq>, and <remarks> placeholders with the desired information. Then press Enter to send the DX announcement to the server. And as its name implies, clicking DX SL Window inserts a more specific template into the Send Command box, one that includes information from the Station Log window (assuming you've already started a log entry for the station you're reporting): DX J52HF 14076.0 JT65A <remarks> Overwrite the <remarks> placeholder with the desired information. Then press Enter to send the announcement to the server. Additional Command Buttons User-defined command buttons now appear on the right side of the DX Spot Checker window, one button for each command defined on the Additional Commands tab of DX Spot Checker Options. Right-clicking a button displays a shortcut menu, whereupon clicking Define brings you to the text box where you can define the command.
The Send check box, next to each text box, lets you send the command to the server immediately whenever the button is clicked. Otherwise, the command assigned to the button appears in the Send Command box on the DX Spot Checker window for editing.
After editing, you press Enter on your keyboard to send the command to the server. (Function keys are also assigned to each button.) To help you define your commands, links to on-line user guides for AR-Cluster, CC Cluster, and DXSpider servers are present (by default) in the Links menu of the DX Spot Checker Options window. Two text boxes labeled Group 1 and Group 2 are also included to let you customize the caption of each button group. Other Functions The DX Spot Checker also lets you:
Functions can be invoked via the Action bar ...
Or the shortcut menu.
Default functions appear twice on the shortcut menu — once at the top, once at the bottom — so they're always right next to your mouse cursor for easy activation. Window Resize If the DX Spot Checker is sometimes too wide for your screen, you can resize it smaller. The DX and Additional Commands buttons will disappear, but they'll come back when you resize the window larger again. When the window is smaller, you can still execute the additional commands via menus and function keys. DX Atlas Integration If you own a copy of Afreet DX Atlas2, you can perform a DX Atlas azimuth plot from your location to that of a spotted station via the menu bar or shortcut menu.
Plot colors and fonts are configurable in Preferences.
Your coordinates must be present in Preferences and a subscription to either HamQTH.com, Buckmaster HamCall, or QRZ XML Logbook Data is required to obtain the specific coordinates of the destination station. Whether the station's coordinates exist in the callsign subscription service is not guaranteed by DXtreme Software. If you don't subscribe to a callsign subscription service, or if the station's coordinates are not available from the service you chose, you can perform an azimuth plot based on the default coordinates of the station's DXCC entity. These coordinates exist in the Entities module of DXtreme Station Log. In this context, a subscription to DX Atlas is the only requirement. Options The DX Spot Checker has a separate Options dialog box that lets you specify server addresses, server commands, rig-control mode definitions, custom text audio messages, DXCC message suppression exceptions, and shortcut menu default functions.
2 — A software license for DX Atlas is required if you intend to use it. You can obtain a license from Afreet Software, Inc. 3 — Requires installation and configuration of Afreet Omni-Rig. Refer to "Rig Control in DXtreme Station Log" later on this page for more information.
Band Master Integration
If you own a license for Afreet Band Master1, you can invoke it via the Tools menu on the Station Log window by choosing the Needed Lists format you want.
Band Master opens with the appropriate needed lists loaded.
The needed lists, which include Entities and IOTAs, are based on your Station Log database, and Band Master uses these lists to indicate the entities and IOTAs you need. You can select needed lists for all bands and individually for the 160- through 6-Meter bands. The needed lists do not refresh automatically, but you can re-click a Needed Lists format to rebuild them any time you want. Band Master integration offers a graphical alternative to the included DX Spot Checker, and both clients offer features that the other client lacks. For example, the DX Spot Checker is tightly integrated with Station Log functions and provides robust reporting of needed DXCC entities and VUCC grid squares. Plus it provides a way to send commands to the Telnet server. Band Master offers an attractive band display, IOTA reporting, and the ability to connect to Web clusters. Both Band Master and the DX Spot Checker can be used simultaneously, as long as they are not connected to the same Telnet server. A delay setting in Preferences allows the needed lists to build prior to displaying Band Master. 1 — A software license for Band Master is required if you intend to use it. You can obtain a license from Afreet Software, Inc.
All-Mode — Full-Spectrum LoggingYou can log contacts in any transmission mode across the entire radio spectrum — from VLF to HF to VHF/UHF and beyond! When Omni-Rig is installed and configured on your computer, Station Log loads the frequency and mode from your transceiver into the Frequency and Mode fields. Refer to "Rig Control in DXtreme Station Log" on this page for more information. If you subscribe to HamQTH.com, Buckmaster HamCall, or QRZ XML Logbook Data, Station Log loads information from your subscribed service into the following fields:
When the latitude and longitude of a station are known to DXtreme Station Log, bearing and distance from your QTH to the station logged appears on the Station Log tab.
The short-path bearing appears continuously; the long-path bearing appears as a pop-up when you mouse-over the field. Clicking the field displays a DX Atlas azimuth plot if you own a copy of DX Atlas. Last Log Entries Grid If desired, you can display a grid on the Station Log window that shows up to 5000 of the most recent log entries you've added. The grid can be placed above the tabbed set of fields.
Or below the tabbed set of fields.
Double-clicking a row in the grid displays its log entry in the Station Log window. And the grid's shortcut menu lets you sort its records in a variety of ways. A menu selection provides access to a Properties dialog box ...
Where you can:
In Preferences, you can set font attributes for the grid's frame, headings, and log entry data.
You can resize the Station Log window to make the grid disappear and reappear any time you want. And you can specify 0 in the Maximum # field if you want to turn the feature off. 
Rig Control in DXtreme Station Log
DXtreme Station Log — Multimedia Edition integrates with Afreet Omni-Rig, a free-for-amateur-use rig control program available over the Web. When Omni-Rig is installed and configured on your PC:
You can then use Omni-Rig to perform other rig-control functions supported by your radio while making maximum use of the advanced, general-purpose logging functions provided by DXtreme Station Log — Multimedia Edition, many of which are not provided by any other vendor. Using rig control is entirely optional. To enable it:
Refer to the Omni-Rig Web site at http://www.dxatlas.com for software downloads and support with their software. Contact us for integration support.Note: If you don't want to use rig control, you can add the Keep? check box to the Station Log window, which, when selected, retains the frequency and mode between log entries until you clear the check box or click Cancel.
Note: DXtreme Station Log also integrates with Ham Radio Deluxe V5.x, which is owned by HRD Software, LLC. 
Support for Logbook of the World (LoTW)
Logbook of the World User Indication Spots of hams who are LoTW users appear in unique fonts and colors on the DX Spot Checker window, making it possible to tell at a glance whether the ham is using LoTW. When you add log entries, the Station Log window indicates whether the ham you contacted is a user of LoTW. When you import log entries using the ADIF Import Utility, a report indicates LoTW users. These indications help you decide whether to request a paper QSL or rely on the anticipated LoTW QSL.1 Outgoing Logbook of the World QSLs When the time comes to update the LoTW server, DXtreme Station Log creates a LoTW-specific ADIF file and passes it automatically to the TQSL application for processing. Station Log supports TQSL Version 1.13 and Version 1.14 (and later), and if you're using Version 1.14+ a Preferences setting directs TQSL to upload your .TQ8 files to the LoTW server automatically, saving you the step of performing this task manually on the LoTW web site.
To prevent the accidental uploading of duplicate log entries to the LoTW server, DXtreme Station Log invokes the Ask command of TQSL, which warns you when you're about to upload duplicate records to the server. You can either cancel the operation or continue with the upload. Station Log can also be set to invoke the LoTW Web site automatically. Incoming Logbook of the World QSLs When Logbook of the World indicates that you have LoTW QSL records, you can use Station Log's LoTW QSL Update Utility to update your Station Log database with LoTW QSLs.Refer to the DXtreme Station Log Tour for more information about Station Log's support for Logbook of the World. Click here for more information about Logbook of the World.
1 — The LoTW Users module helps you keep
LoTW user data up-to-date by importing the
lotw.txt file from the HB9BZA Web site.
Station Log's audio archive feature lets you record and play back audio
clips of your QSOs.
Station Log saves the audio clips as WAV files in your audio repository.
Later, whenever you browse your log, you'll be able to listen to and
re-live your memorable contacts!
DXtreme Station Log can help you manage your outgoing QSLs. Specifically,
you can:
DXtreme Station Log can help you manage your incoming QSLs. Specifically,
you can:
Refer to the
DXtreme Station Log Data Sheet section of this Web site for more information and screenshots.
DXCC Analytics is a window-based tool that lets you analyze your DXCC
data and quickly access the specific log entries upon which you need to take some kind of action,
such as submitting or re-submitting a QSL or e-mailing the ham you contacted. You begin by selecting a desired mode, or all modes. Then DXCC Analytics
goes to work, building and displaying a record set showing the number of band entities Worked,
Verified, and Worked But Not Verified (labeled Delta) for each band and
for all bands. When you double-click a Worked, Verified, or Delta data element
for a desired band, or for all bands, you see a list of entities that satisfy the element you chose, along
with the number of QSOs in each entity. When you double-click a desired entity, you see a list of its QSOs, including the band and date.
You can sort this list by Station, Band, Date Ascending, or Date Descending. You can then load one or all of the QSOs into the Station Log window so you can perform
the desired action on them ... while the DXCC Analytics window persists for further analysis. When you build a record set for all modes, your DXCC Challenge status is also displayed for informational purposes. DXCC Analytics works with lots of data, so if your database has thousands of
QSOs, give it some time. The results are worth the wait. When you want to work with an entity list
over several days, you can use the Previous Entity List (PEL) feature, which is described next. Previous Entity List (PEL) Feature When you build an entity list, particularly a time-consuming one, DXCC Analytics saves
the list to a local file, enabling you to reload its data later — in seconds — to continue working with it. This feature is intended for users who want to work intermittently on an entity list
that took several minutes to build. They may have, for example, built an entity
list (like Delta All Modes All Bands), started to work on it, and then shut down
Station Log to go to work or school. When they return home, they can reload the
desired PEL file and pick up where they left off.
To reload a previous entity list, click the PEL button. The
Select Previous Entity List window appears to let you
select the entity list you want to reload. You can then continue to work
on it.
Station Log has an array of reports that let you track the performance of your
station.
You can run the following types of reports:
Performance reports show the number of contacts per subject and whether the subject is
worked or verified overall and on each mode and band. You can produce
Performance reports for each of the following subjects:
Filter Reports
For example, you can run a report that shows results for a particular:
Output Devices
And then refer to the "Monitoring Performance" section of the DXtreme Station Log Tour
for screenshots and access to sample reports.
DX Atlas Integration The following reports integrate with DX Atlas:2 This map shows grid status for two-meter, meteor-scatter contacts from New Hampshire. You
can pan and resize and zoom the map as desired. This map shows overall entity status. You can change the projection and rotate and resize and zoom the map as desired. This map shows two-meter, moonbounce entity status from New Hampshire. You can change the
projection and rotate and resize and zoom the map as desired.
2 — A software license for DX Atlas is required if you intend to use it. You can obtain a
license from Afreet Software, Inc.
Station Log supports two implementation options.
You can enter all of your log entries manually, or use
the ADIF Import Utility to import log entries in the ADIF format.
With this option, you will be able to run all of Station Log's
reports, and use all of Station Log's features.
2) Enter your existing DXCC data and begin logging thereafter.
You can enter your existing DXCC data into Station Log's Entities
module and then begin logging contacts thereafter.
This implementation option lets you avoid entering all of your
contacts.
While you will not be able to run all of Station Log's
reports, you will be able to run a subset of the reports. All
of Station Log's other features will be available to you.
DXtreme Station Log has other exciting features!
For more information ...
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For more information about the DX Spot Checker,
see the 
Audio Archive Feature
Outgoing QSL Features
Address Label
Incoming QSL Features
DXCC Analytics
Reporting
Implementation Options
But wait ... there's more!