DX Logging Software for Amateur Radio
 
	
DXtreme Station Log — Multimedia Edition
Data Sheet and Screenshots

Version 10.0

Overview


DXtreme
Station Log

Multimedia
Logging for
Windows®

Like other logging programs on the market today, DXtreme Station Log — Multimedia Edition™ lets you log your contacts.

But what makes DXtreme Station Log special are its multimedia and advanced features, which work together to enhance your Amateur Radio operating and logging experience.

This data sheet describes all of the features and functions of the program. It'll take a while to read it.

So go grab yourself a cool 807 from the fridge ...

    beer

and then come back and read on.

A search glass appears ...

where screenshots are available for viewing.

Don't forget to:


Features


DX Spot Checker
Facility


Station Log comes with a DX Spot Checker™ that receives DX spot announcements from Telnet-based, DX Cluster servers.1

Click here to view the DX Spot Checker window.

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:

  • QSO with the station for a new DXCC entity
  • QSL from the station to confirm a DXCC entity
  • QSO with the station for a new band-entity
  • QSL from the station to confirm a band-entity

The audio announcements are useful when you can't see the DX Spot Checker window — like when you're busy working on a project in the shack and you're not watching your monitor. The announcements ensure that you won't miss the DXCC entities you need. But when you crave silence, a button on the DX Spot Checker toolbar lets you turn the audio off.

You can customize the rich-text messages and audio announcements for each DXCC status category so the messages and announcements look and sound the way you want them to. You can even assign different font colors to each DXCC status message. We like red for spots representing new DXCC entities, blue for new band-entities, and gray for entities we don't need.

Mode status also displays per station.

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.

  • VUCC — When you select the VHF/UHF/SHF Only check box, grid status is displayed for VHF, UHF, and SHF frequencies only. This mode will be popular with users who track VUCC status.
  • Grid — When you clear the VHF/UHF/SHF Only check box, grid status is displayed for all frequencies. A mode that will be popular with digital (PSK31, JT9, Olivia, etc.) enthusiasts who like to track grids on all frequencies, including HF.

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:

  • Bearing
  • Recall Spot
  • Mail Spot
  • Web Lookup Spot
  • Tune to Frequency
  • Log Spot
  • DX Atlas azimuth plot (if you own a copy of DX Atlas2)

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:

  • Tune your radio to the last-reported frequency and mode of a desired spot or VUCC item3

  • Recall spots in a separate window so you can view the history of spots for a single station in one place.

  • Send spot announcements to others by e-mail.

  • Perform Web-based, callsign lookups on stations spotted, including VUCC items.

  • Start a log entry for a desired spot or VUCC item.

Functions can be invoked via the Action bar ...

Or the shortcut menu.

In Options, you can define default functions for the first and last items on 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.

  • Rig-control mode definitions.

  • Standard server commands.

  • Additional commands that can be sent from menu and Function key combinations.

  • Custom DXCC text messages for each DXCC message type.

  • Custom DXCC audio WAV files for each DXCC message type.

  • Separate font and color attributes for LoTW and non-LoTW user spots as well as each DXCC message type.

  • Whether to display spot recalls in ascending or descending order.

  • Whether to turn off the display of DXCC and mode announcements.

  • Whether to suppress the display of spots whose DXCC entities are verified on all bands.

  • DXCC message suppression exceptions.

  • Whether automatic Grid/VUCC checking occurs, and whether the display of verified items is suppressed in the Grid/VUCC History list box.
  • Shortcut menu default functions.

Shortcut Menu Default Functions

Shortcut menu default functions are the shortcut-menu-based functions you use most often.

You can specify the desired functions on the Options window, one function that operates on highlighted numeric data (like a frequency) and another function that operates on highlighted alphanumeric data (like a call sign). You can also specify the menu caption you want to see on the shortcut menu.

The default function caption appears twice on the shortcut menu — once at the top, once at the bottom — so the caption is always next to your mouse cursor for easy activation of your default functions (depending on where you click on the DX Spot Checker window).

1 — Requires an Internet connection.

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 important information.

Screenshots — DX Spot Checker

    Note: You must have JavaScript enabled to see the sample window on your browser. For best results, please click the button at the bottom of the sample window when you've finished viewing it. If you don't, the sample window may appear behind the main browser window.


Band Master
Integration


Afreet Band Master1 integration lets you receive DX spot announcements from Telnet servers, too.2 Plus it lets you connect to Web-based servers.

If you own a license for Band Master, you can invoke it via the Tools menu of the Station Log window by choosing the Needed Lists format you want.

Band Master then 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.
2 — Requires an Internet connection.



Station Log
Window


The Station Log window has five tabs that organize and provide access to the fields of your electronic logbook:

Station Log Tab

The Station Log tab lets you enter information about the contact, such as the:
  • Callsign and location of the station.

  • Name of the ham radio operator.

  • Date and time of the contact.

  • Frequency and mode of transmission.

    Note: When Afreet Omni-Rig is installed and configured on your computer, Station Log enters the frequency and mode from your transceiver in the Frequency and Mode fields. Refer to "Rig Control in DXtreme Station Log" for more information.

  • Signal quality and propagation mode.

  • Equipment you used to work the station. (Defaults for which can be set per band within the Bands module.)

The Station Log tab can also display information, such as:

  • The Solar Flux, A-Index, and K-Index values in effect at the time of
    the QSO!1

  • Bearing and distance.
  • When the latitude and longitude of a station are known to Station Log, bearing and distance from your QTH to the station logged appears.

    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.

  • Whether the amateur radio operator you worked is a user of Logbook of The World (LoTW).2

  • DXCC and VUCC status information.

    DXCC, Band, and Mode fields display DXCC entity status information when the entity, band, and mode are known to Station Log. The entity status information that can appear includes New, Worked, and Verified.

    The VUCC field displays grid status by band when the Maidenhead grid locator and band are known to Station Log. The VUCC status information that can appear includes New, Worked, and Verified.

    The scope of and captions for VUCC status are determined by the settings you make in Preferences, as described earlier in the "DX Spot Checker Facility" section.

    DXCC status appears immediately after entering a valid callsign when Station Log has been configured to work with rig control. VUCC status appears immediately as soon as the grid locator is known.

    If you have not configured rig control, DXCC and VUCC status appears after you type a frequency and select a mode.

1 — Requires an Internet connection. Users can update existing log entries with solar data at any time, provided the QSOs took place on or after January 1, 1997.

2 — 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 Information Tab

The Station Information tab lets you enter the postal address of the station you worked or its QSL manager. It also lets you enter or obtain the coordinates, Web, and e-mail address of the station. You only have to enter this information once because Station Log recalls it every time you work the station.

If desired, you can drag and drop address information from a Web callsign lookup page or any OLE-compatible Windows program. You can click the Call field at any time to perform a Web callsign lookup.

When you subscribe to HamQTH.com, Buckmaster HamCall™ or QRZ XML Logbook Data, Station Log fills the location and address fields automatically when you enter a log entry — if the information is provided by the callsign subscription service.

If a QSL manager is defined in the callsign subscription service, Station Log displays a dialog box that lets you confirm the callsign of the manager. Once confirmed, Station Log queries the callsign subscription service for the address of the QSL manager and enters that address in the fields of the Station Information tab. If the callsign subscription service doesn't know the identity of a QSL manager but you do, you can type the callsign and have HamQTH.com, Buckmaster, or QRZ XML Logbook Data populate the address fields for you.

The address information on the Station Information tab appears in the Create Direct Print QSL Labels window and the Create Word Template QSL Labels window so you can create address labels for your outgoing QSLs.

Station Log uses the coordinates to calculate the bearing and distance between your QTH and that of the station you contacted. Bearing and distance appears on the Station Log tab, and distance appears in Stations reports.

Clicking the Web caption on the tab displays the Web page of the station using the general-purpose Web browser designated in Preferences; clicking the E-Mail caption displays a pre-addressed Message window in Microsoft Windows Live Mail, Windows Mail, Outlook Express, or Microsoft Office Outlook (Win32-based, desktop e-mail clients only).

The Click for Map hyperlink displays a map of the coordinates if available on the MapQuest™ Web site. (requires an Internet connection).

The name of the audio archive file appears on this tab as well.

MapQuest™ is a registered trademark of MapQuest.com, Inc.

Verification Status Tab

The Verification Status tab lets you specify information regarding outgoing and incoming QSLs.

  • For Outgoing QSLs — You can specify:

    • Whether you're sending a QSL.
    • Date you're sending the QSL.
    • Return postage you're sending with the QSL.
    • Type of QSL you're sending (Card, LoTW, eQSL.cc).
    • Entity to whom you're sending the QSL (bureau, QSL manager, etc.).

  • For Incoming QSLs — You can specify:

    • Whether you have received a QSL.
    • Date you received the QSL.
    • Entity from whom you received the QSL (bureau, QSL manager, etc.).
    • Type of QSL you received (Card, LoTW, eQSL.cc).
    • Name of the QSL image file.

The Verification Status tab also displays information, such as:

  • DXCC and VUCC QSL Recommendations.
  • In the above illustration, the DXCC, Band, and Mode fields indicate that France is verified as a DXCC country overall, on 2 meters, and in the JT65B mode, and that no QSL needs to be sent. The VUCC field indicates that the French grid of IN97 — while not new on 2 meters — is not verified, hence the recommendation to QSL.

  • Thumbnail previews of the front and back of QSLs — provided you have either scanned or captured them.

Comments - Station + QSO Tab

The Comments - Station + QSO tab has two memo fields that let you enter comments about the station and/or QSO.

User Defined Fields Tab

The User Defined Fields tab has seven fields that you can define and then use to enter and track information that is important to you.

There are two kinds of user defined fields (UDFs): Text Box Fields and List Box Fields.

  • Text Box Fields — Station Log's four text box fields let you type the information you desire. (The information you enter can be retained over several log entries by selecting the adjacent Retain check box.)

  • List Box Fields — Station Log's three list box fields let you select the information you desire from a list of items that you also define.

You define the UDFs in Station Log's Preferences window (described later). Defining UDFs involves:
  1. Labeling each field, and

  2. Entering the list items you want to appear in each list box field.

For example, you could define and use UDFs this way:

  • Text Box UDF — Specify "Age of Ham" as the label in Preferences. Then on the Station Log window, type the current age of the ham you contacted into the Age of Ham box. When you run a Performance, Bands, or Stations report, you can track a specific age value.
  • List Box UDF — Specify "Location" as the label in Preferences and then define a list of the locations from which you operate. These locations could be Home, Vacation, DXpedition, and so on. Then on the Station Log window, select the current operating location as you log each contact. When you run a Performance, Bands, or Stations report, you can track a specific operating location.
  • Note: If you use a UDF list box field to track your operating locations, Station Log can calculate distance based on the specific coordinates of each operating location.

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:

  • Change the order of columns.
  • Set the maximum number of last log entries displayed (from 7 to 5000).
  • Add or remove a border.

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.

Fields and Maintenance Modules

Most of the fields on the Station Log window are drop-down list box fields that make entering consistent data easy. These fields are populated with list items that you can maintain in Station Log's maintenance modules (described later).

Menu Bar and Toolbar

Station Log's menu bar lets you access the other functions of Station Log. These functions let you access the DX Spot Checker and Band Master (if you own a copy), search for log entries, perform maintenance functions, manage QSLing, perform audio processing, perform QSL imaging, run performance reports, display maps — including azimuthal plot maps in DX Atlas if you own a copy of DX Atlas — and more.

Station Log's toolbar lets you quickly and conveniently access the functions you use most often.

Contest Duplicate QSO Checking

You can set Station Log so it flags duplicate contacts (dupes) per band and mode when you attempt to log them. A message box appears, giving you the option of whether to continue logging.

Dupe checking begins at the date and time you specify in Preferences, and continues until you turn it off.

You specify the name of the contest in Preferences, linking the name to one of your text-based user-defined fields (UDFs) if desired. At your option, you can also request the generation of incremental serial numbers, linking the numbers to another of your text-based UDFs. A provision to reset the serial number is provided.

This feature is intended for casual contest operators only. There is no output to Cabrillo due the number of different QSO templates required. Serious contesters should use a contest logging program, and then import their logs into DXtreme Station Log.

Screenshots — DXtreme Station Log Window

    Note: Remember to click the button at the bottom of the sample window when you've finished viewing it.



Search
Functions


DXtreme Station Log has powerful Search functions that make finding log entries easy, necessary for viewing or modifying log entry information, listening to audio clips, or scanning, capturing, and viewing QSLs.

You can access the Search functions via the:

  • Search menu — On the Station Log menu bar.
  • Drop-down Search menu — On the Station Log toolbar.

Advanced Searches

When performing an Advanced search, you can filter your searches by entering the desired search criteria on the Criteria window. A Preferences setting determines whether the Set Criteria window appears automatically.

Look at the choices! Almost every field on the Station Log window is available here.

Using these fields, you can perform searches, for example, that result in the display of:

  • Your F2 contacts
  • Made on the 20- through 10-meter bands
  • During the first four months of 2013
  • Using your IC-7700
  • When the solar flux was between 100 and 180

There are even more possibilities.

When the results appear, you can double-click records in the Search grid to display their log entries on the Station Log window. The Sort By box and Desc check box let you sort the result records.

All Other Searches

When performing other searches, you begin by specifying the desired search parameter at the top of the window, based on the type of search you selected.

When the results appear, click Get Selected, or double-click a record in the Search grid to display its log entry on the Station Log window. To display all log records — one-at-a-time — click Get All and use the next and previous buttons on the Station Log toolbar to scroll through the record set.

The Sort By option buttons let you sort the records in the Search grid.

Note: You can also use the Last Log Entries grid (described earlier) and DXCC Analytics (described later) to search your log.



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 tune your rig to a frequency and mode from the DX Spot Checker.

  • When you add log entries or double-click the Frequency field, the Station Log window automatically captures the frequency and mode from your rig.

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:

  1. Install a copy of Omni-Rig on your system.

  2. Configure it to work with your radio. Most popular radios are supported.

  3. In the Preferences window of DXtreme Station Log, click the Afreet Omni-Rig option button.

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.



Audio Archive

Station Log's audio archive facility lets you record and play audio clips of the stations you work.

The audio toolbar on the Station Log window ...

    Audio Toolbar

... lets you quickly and easily record and play audio as you are logging a station.

Station Log also integrates with the Windows Sound Recorder to let you edit and compress audio files.

To use Station Log's audio archive facility, your computer must have sound capabilities that are supported by Windows® 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista® or Windows XP. Connect your radio to your computer using typical amateur practices.

Station Log saves the audio clip as a WAV file in the Audio Repository you specify in Preferences.



ADIF Import Utility

Several contesting and data-mode programs (like WSJT) let you output contact information in the Amateur Data Interchange Format (ADIF). DXtreme Station Log has an ADIF Import Utility that lets you import log entries from such files.

Options

Options on the ADIF Import Utility window let you specify:

  • The ADIF tag from which to import states and provinces.

  • Default UDF information, signal reports, and propagation mode values not in the ADIF.

  • Whether to perform callsign lookups on each station being imported (if you subscribe to HamQTH.com, Buckmaster HamCall, or QRZ XML Logbook Data).

  • Whether you should approve each entity selection the utility makes based on standard and special prefixes when ADIF DXCC tag numbers, which identify entities, are not in the ADIF. If DXCC tag numbers are in the ADIF, entity selection occurs automatically.

  • Whether to suppress deleted entities from being considered when the ADIF does not contain DXCC tag numbers.
  • Whether to prompt you for the CQ zone when the ADIF file has no CQ zone information and the entity has more than one CQ zone assigned. (When the entity has a single CQ zone assigned, or when a state or province has a single CQ zone assigned, the utility selects the appropriate zone automatically.)

  • Whether to prompt you for a state or province when the ADIF file has no state or province information.

  • The number of months it typically takes to obtain a QSL. The import utility uses this information to set an approximate QSL received date when the ADIF file contains QSL information but no <QSLRDATE> tags.

  • Whether to create eQSL.cc records as you import the ADIF file. The import utility saves the eQSL.cc records in a special workfile, and keeps the file open for the creation of additional eQSL.cc records.

When It Runs

As the ADIF Import Utility runs, it:

  • Writes default information into each imported contact record, such as the rig, antenna, accessory, and power used; the QSL type; the QSL Via entity; and the return postage.

  • Produces a report that indicates for each contact:
    • DXCC Entity Status: overall, by band, and by mode.
    • VUCC Status when the Maidenhead grid locator is included in the ADIF file.
    • Whether the amateur radio operator is a user of Logbook of the World.

  • If enabled, uses the Auto Bureau QSL Generator to produce QSL labels for DX stations worked the first time:
    • Overall
    • Per band
    • Per mode

    This feature is ideal for contest operators because it generates bureau QSL labels automatically for the stations most likely to QSL you when the contest is over. If you optionally specify that no return card is required when you send the cards via the bureau, you can save yourself the time and effort of processing individual QSL cards as they "trickle in" months later. You can just as easily, of course, welcome reciprocal cards. It's entirely up to you.

    The Auto Bureau QSL Generator can be set so it operates in the ADIF Import Utility only, the main Station Log window only, or in both applications.

    The Auto Bureau QSL Generator requires Microsoft® Word on your system.

    Note: A pre-sort facility comes with ADIF Import Utility. The facility pre-sorts the source ADIF file by callsign instead of by date and time. This action ensures that the maximum number of multi-QSO QSL labels will be generated because the incoming log entries will be contiguous by call sign.

ADIF Tags Recognized

The import utility recognizes the following ADIF tags:

  • <ARRL_SECT>
  • <BAND>
  • <CALL>
  • <CNTY>
  • <COMMENT>
  • <CQZ>
  • <DXCC>
  • <FREQ>
  • <GRIDSQUARE>
  • <IOTA>
  • <PROP_MODE>
  • <MODE>
  • <NAME>
  • <QSL_RCVD>
  • <QSL_SENT>
  • <QSL_VIA>
  • <QSLRDATE>
  • <QSLSDATE>
  • <QSO_DATE>
  • <QTH>
  • <RST_RCVD>
  • <RST_SENT>
  • <STATE>
  • <TIME>
  • <TIME_OFF>
  • <TIME_ON>
  • <VE_PROV>

Sample Report

The following is a sample report generated by the utility after every import operation. The New Entity Status, Grid/VUCC Status, Propagation Mode, and LoTW User information appear in bold for emphasis.

Station: VE2/WA1Z
Entity: Canada
DXCC Entity Tag: 1
CQ Zone: 05
County:
State/Prov: QC
IOTA:
Grid: FN35
Date: 04/20/2013
Time: 20:05
Freq: 50150
Band: 6
Mode: Phone
Rig: Elecraft K3
Ant: 5-El Yagi
Acc: None
Power: 100
DXCC: No
Band: Yes-QSL
Mode: Yes-QSL
VUCC: New
Propagation Mode: F2
LoTW User: Yes

Screenshot — ADIF Import Utility

    Note: Remember to click the button at the bottom of the sample window when you've finished viewing it.



Outgoing QSLs

Physical and eQSL.cc


DXtreme Station Log can help you manage your outgoing QSLs. Specifically, you can:

  • Print QSL labels and address labels directly on your printer.
    No other software is required for this feature.
  • Create QSL labels and address labels in Microsoft® Word templates.
    Microsoft® Word is required for this feature, which makes it possible to add rich text attributes to labels.

  • Generate QSL labels automatically for cards being sent via an outgoing QSL bureau.
    The Auto Bureau QSL Generator requires Microsoft® Word.

    QSO Label

    Address Label

Address Information

The Create Direct Print QSL Labels window and Create Word Template QSL Labels window get their address information from the Station Information fields on the Station Log window. If you subscribe to HamQTH.com, Buckmaster HamCall, or QRZ XML Logbook Data, the address information appears automatically.

If you don't subscribe to HamQTH.com, HamCall, or QRZ XML Logbook Data, you can click the Web button on the Create Direct Print QSL Labels window or Create Word Template QSL Labels window to perform a callsign lookup. When the Callsign Lookup Web page appears, you can select the address information on the Web page and drag and drop it onto the window's Address Information box, thereby making it available for label creation. The address must be in text format on the Web page.

You can also click the Change to QSL Via button to produce a QSL-Via label for the bureau.

Closing Expression - QSL Request - Signature Workflow

The Create Direct Print QSL Labels and Create Word Template QSL Labels windows provide a workflow for printing a closing expression, QSL request, and signature on the last line of multiline labels.

The Closing Expression list box on the Create QSL Labels window (shown above) contains ADIF propagation modes from the ADIF Propagation Modes module.

Plus it contains any custom entries you have added by means of the Closing Expression Text module (shown below), which is accessible in Preferences.

For a given label, you can:

  1. Select the closing expression you want from the Closing Expression list box.
  2. Click the option button representing the desired QSL Request (Pse QSL or Tnx QSL).
  3. Select the check box if you want to include the Signature text, which is also defined on the Outgoing QSLs tab in Preferences.
  4. This action produces a label similar to the following:

Properties

Properties windows are available that let you set label properties for Direct Print and Word Template QSL Labels.

Screenshots — Outgoing QSLs

    Note: Remember to click the button at the bottom of the sample window when you've finished viewing it.


Outgoing QSLs

Logbook of the World


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.

Click here for more information about Logbook of the World.



Incoming QSLs

LoTW QSL Update
Utility


The LoTW QSL Update Utility lets you update your Station Log database with LoTW QSLs downloaded from the ARRL's Logbook of the World server.

The utility sets LoTW QSLs as the Official Incoming QSL Type only in those log entries that are not already verified by paper QSLs or eQSL.cc records. Likewise, it sets LoTW QSLs as the Official Outgoing QSL Type only in those log entries where a QSL has not been sent. In other words, the utility doesn't override what you've already done.

And should your database not have corresponding log records, the utility lets you import those LoTW QSL records as new, verified log entries.

The utility produces a verification report after every update operation. The following is a sample.

Station: EA6/NR1M
Entity: Balearic Is.
CQ Zone: 14
State/Prov:
County:
IOTA: EU-004
Grid: JM08
Date: Mar 16 2013
Time: 06:44
Freq: 1812
Band: 160
Mode: CW
New Entity Status fields before LoTW QSL:
DXCC? No
Band? Yes-QSL
Mode? No

LoTW QSL Status in a User Defined Field

If desired, though, you can set the LoTW QSL Update Utility so it also captures LoTW QSL status in a user-defined field.

Setting the Indicate LoTW QSL Status in a User Defined Field list box to one of your UDFs lets you capture the LoTW QSL Status of every LoTW QSL record, even those records whose LoTW QSLs are not the Official Outgoing and Incoming QSL Types. To turn off this feature, select Do Not Indicate.

This feature is useful for accessing the LoTW QSL Status of every processed record, including those records already — and Officially — confirmed by paper QSLs or eQSL.cc records.

When captured, LoTW QSL Status appears as LoTW <QSL DATE> where <QSL DATE> is in the form yyyymmdd, as derived from the QSL field of each LoTW verification record.

You can perform Advanced Searches and run Performance, Bands, and Stations reports based on this LoTW QSL Status information. A topic in the main DXtreme Station Log Help system explains how.



Incoming QSLs

QSL Imaging


DXtreme Station Log comes with DXtreme Software's highly acclaimed QSL Imaging™ facility.

QSL Imaging lets you scan, capture, view, edit, format, and annotate your QSLs and related documents.

With QSL Imaging, you never again have to look through boxes or photo albums to answer the question:

"What did that QSL look like?"

Just search Station Log for the confirmed log entry and then click View QSL to see the QSL card! As an alternative, you can use the QSL Repository Explorer (described later) to browse or explore your QSL Repository.

By default, QSL Imaging saves QSLs in the Tagged Image File Format (TIFF). The TIFF format lets you save the front and back of each QSL as individual pages in a single image file — similar to how a word processor lets you save individual text pages in a single document file. If you want to save your QSL images in other formats, you can.

With QSL Imaging you can perform the following functions:

Basic Functions

  • Scan QSLs and other documents into your computer (industry-standard TWAIN scanner required).

  • Capture eQSLs from the Internet.

  • Capture Logbook of the World (LoTW) QSLs from the LoTW Web site.

  • View QSLs and related documents.

  • Magnify and zoom QSL images.

  • Navigate the pages of QSL image files.

Page Manipulation Functions

  • Annotate QSL images.

  • Alter, crop, and delete image pages.

  • Copy, cut, and paste image pages to and from the Clipboard.

Formatting Functions

  • Change the brightness, contrast, hue, color saturation, and gamma of image pages.

  • Sharpen, resize, reverse, rotate, flip, and shear image pages.

Filing Functions

  • Print QSL images on your printer.

  • Send QSL image files to others by e-mail.

  • Save QSL images in other formats, such as:

    • BMP
    • JPG
    • PCX (multipage)
    • PNG
    • TGA
Screenshots — QSL Imaging

Note: Remember to click the button at the bottom of each sample window when you've finished viewing it.



Incoming QSLs

QSL Repository
Explorer


DXtreme Station Log's QSL Repository Explorer lets you explore the QSL image files in your QSL Repository.

The QSL Repository Explorer has the following components:

  • QSL Repository File List
  • QSL Thumbnail Browser
  • QSL Image Display

There are two ways to explore the repository. You can:

  • Click the desired file in the QSL Repository File List and view the QSL in the QSL Image Display area.

  • Browse the repository three QSLs at a time using the scrollable thumbnail viewer in the QSL Thumbnail Browser area.

Screenshot — QSL Repository Explorer

    Note: Remember to click the button at the bottom of the sample window when you've finished viewing it.



DXCC
Analytics


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. DXCC Analytics then 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.



Performance,
Bands,
and
Stations
Reports


DXtreme 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 — Lets you track the overall performance of your station.

    The report shows the number of contacts per subject and whether the subject is worked or verified overall and on each mode and band. You can produce a Performance report for each of the following subjects:

    • Entities
    • Continents
    • US-CA Counties
    • CQ Zones
    • Grid locators
    • IOTA numbers
    • Propagation Modes
    • States and Provinces
    • User-defined fields (UDFs)

  • Bands — Lets you analyze the performance of your station from a bands perspective. The report shows the number of contacts you have made per band, overall and on each mode. The report also shows grand totals for all bands and for each mode.

  • Stations — Lets you see a list of the stations in your log.

Filter Reports

Station Log lets you filter your Performance, Bands, and Stations reports. You can run a report that contains:

  • All of the information in your log, or
  • Specific information from your log that satisfies criteria you specify.

For example, you can run a report that shows results for a particular:

  • Band
  • Mode
  • Date range
  • Rig, antenna, and/or power range
  • Solar Flux, A-Index, and/or K-Index range
  • Propagation mode
  • And so on ...
Just the thing for seeing how well a particular rig, antenna, or amplifier is performing; for producing QRP reports; or for analyzing the effects of specific propagation conditions.

Output Devices

You can output the reports to the following devices:

  • Printer — To the printer you select.

  • Active Report Viewer — To the DXtreme Active Report Viewer. The Active Report Viewer lets you view and sort reports within Microsoft® Internet Explorer® Version 8.0 through Version 10.0 Desktop.

  • Standard Report Viewer — To the DXtreme Standard Report Viewer. The Standard Report Viewer lets you view reports in Apple® Safari®, Google™ Chrome™, and Mozilla® Firefox® Version 18.0 and greater.
  • FTP — Upload your Performance, Bands, and Stations reports to the Web automatically, where you and your friends can access them remotely.1 When accessed from the Web, the reports appear within the Active Report Viewer or Standard Report Viewer.

    Check out Spotlight on the FTP Report Upload Feature for more information.

1 — Requires an Internet connection with available Web space.

View a Sample Report

Click here to view a sample Performance report in the Active Report Viewer.
Microsoft Internet Explorer V8.0 through V10.0 Desktop. See Active Report Viewer Notes.

Click here to view a sample Performance report in the Standard Report Viewer.
Apple Safari, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox Version 18.0+. See Standard Report Viewer Notes.

Active Report Viewer Notes

  • You must be using Microsoft Internet Explorer V8.0 through V10.0 Desktop and have cookies enabled.

  • The report will begin by having you specify preferences.

  • Report section hyperlinks appear under DXtreme Station Log on the upper-left side of the Active Report Viewer. If you cannot see the report hyperlinks, place your mouse cursor just above the scroll bar on the left side of the browser until you see a double-arrow cursor. Hold down the left mouse button and drag the mouse to adjust the size of the top frame.

  • A report hyperlink invites non-IE users to view a standard version of the report in the Standard Report Viewer.
Standard Report Viewer Notes

  • You must be using Apple Safari, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox Version 18.0+ and have cookies enabled.
  • Report section hyperlinks appear under DXtreme Station Log on the upper-left side of the Standard Report Viewer. If you cannot see the report hyperlinks, place your mouse cursor just above the scroll bar on the left side of the browser until you see a double-arrow cursor. Hold down the left mouse button and drag the mouse to adjust the size of the top frame.

  • A report hyperlink invites IE users to view an active version of the report in the Active Report Viewer.

DX Atlas Integration

The following reports integrate with DX Atlas:1

Grids — When you run a Performance report for Grids, Station Log integrates with DX Atlas to produce a map showing the grids you've worked and verified. Different colors indicate verification status (black background for verified, blue background for worked but not verified). The colors are controlled by DX Atlas and do not appear to be editable.

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.

Entities — When you run a Performance report for Entities, Station Log integrates with DX Atlas to produce a map of pins; one color for worked entities, another color for verified entities. You can set the colors in Station Log's Preferences module.

This map shows overall entity status. You can change the projection and rotate and resize and zoom the map as desired.

Stations — When you run a Stations report, Station Log integrates with DX Atlas to produce a map of pins; one color for worked stations, another color for verified stations. You can set the colors in Station Log's Preferences module.

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.

1 — A software license for DX Atlas is required if you intend to use it. You can obtain a license from Afreet Software, Inc.



Maintenance Modules

DXtreme Station Log has 23 maintenance modules that let you enter and maintain the information that appears in the list box fields of the system.

Maintaining module information enables you to make consistent entries when you manage your log, import ADIF files, or run reports.

Station Log has the following modules:

  • Entities
  • Bands (access screenshot below)
  • Prefix Cross-Reference1
  • Callsign Cross-Reference1
  • Closing Expressions
  • Logbook of the World Users2
  • States and Provinces
  • IOTA3
  • Grids
  • Modes
  • Rigs
  • Antennas
  • Accessories
  • Power
  • Postage
  • QSL Type
  • QSL Via
  • ADIF Propagation Modes
  • Abbreviations
  • Symbols and Special Characters
  • HTML Elements
  • ADIF Import States and Provinces Tags
  • Suppress DXCC Exceptions

Where applicable, DXtreme Software populates these maintenance modules with pertinent information prior to shipment.

1 — Lets you import the country.dat file you download from the AD1C Web site.
2 — Lets you import the lotw.txt file you download from the HB9BZA Web site.
3 — Lets you import the shortlist.csv file you download from the IOTA/RSGB™ Web site.

Screenshot — Bands Module

    Note: Remember to click the button at the bottom of the sample window when you've finished viewing it.



Preferences

The Preferences window lets you specify information that controls the overall operation of Station Log.

You can set preferences in the following functional areas:

  • User
  • Database + UDF
  • General
  • Internet
  • Exports
  • Outgoing QSLs
  • Auto QSL
  • Incoming QSLs
  • Audio
  • Auto Backups
  • Report Viewer
  • LoTW
  • Maps
  • DX Atlas
  • Contests
  • Band Master
  • Links

Optional Multiple-Database-Management

You can maintain multiple, discrete databases in DXtreme Station Log.

Switching Databases in Preferences

You define the names and locations of your secondary databases once.

And then switch between them (and the Primary Database) by selecting the name of the desired database in Preferences.

Switching from one database to another backs up the previous database automatically (if backups have been configured in Preferences).

Secondary Database Creation Workflow

When defining a new secondary database, a virgin database file is automatically placed into the new location (unless a database file is already there).

Database-Specific Fields

The following Preferences fields are database-specific; you can set them differently per database:

  • All fields on the User tab
  • All fields on the Auto QSL tab
  • All fields on the Contests tab
  • UDF labels and definitions on the Database + UDF tab
  • Database fields on the Auto Backups tab
  • FTP Subdirectory Assignment fields on the Report Viewer tab
  • Log Table Has All Log Entries check box on the Database + UDF tab

QSL Labels Can Be Processed Per Database or Across All Databases

In Preferences, you can choose whether to process QSL labels separately for each database or across all databases. (Auto QSL Generation always applies to the current database. Residual QSL labels accumulate across databases.)

eQSL.cc Records Are Managed Per Database

The generation of eQSL.cc records is performed per database.

Screenshots — Preferences



On-Line
Help


Procedural Help

If you don't know how to perform a task, you can access procedural help for Station Log by clicking Help Topics on the Help menu.

Click the following button to see the Procedural Help System window:

Context-Senstive Help

If you want to find out what a particular field or button does, you can access What's This? help by clicking the ? at the top of the window and then the desired item.

Click the following button to see a What's This? Help topic:

Microhelp

If you want to view status information as you perform a task, you can read the messages that appear in the microhelp panel at the bottom of every window in Station Log.

Information Center

For even more help when using Station Log, you can click Information Center on the Help menu. The Information Center is a users-only area on the Web where you can learn more about Station Log.


Pricing


More
Information
and
Pricing

More Information

If you'd like more information...


Pricing

Internet Download

  • Download to New Users Worldwide — Only $89.95 USD

  • Download to Upgrading DXtreme Station Log V7.0 through V9.0 Users Worldwide — Only $39.95 USD

    CD By Mail — North America

  • CD to New Users in North America — Only $93.95 USD

  • CD to Upgrading DXtreme Station Log V7.0 through V9.0 Users in North America — Only $43.95 USD

    CD By Mail — Outside North America

  • CD to New Users Outside North America — Only $98.95 USD

  • CD to Upgrading DXtreme Station Log V7.0 through V9.0 Users Outside North America — Only $48.95 USD

    All prices include lifetime e-mail support. CD prices include shipping and handling. There is no sales tax.

    Upgrading Users: Check out:

    Click Here to Buy DXtreme Station Log Now!