One of the first things you will notice is that doing a search on google, you would probably think, that there is only 9-10 pieces of software worth looking at. That first bit of information is that you don’t make you selection purely on popularity. What I will do is give you some basic tools and information so that you can make your own mind. It is very much a personal decision based on what you feel is important, what you are prepared to compromise, what money you want to spend, what support you need, how simplistic your needs are.

If you come back and say logger32 is the best, and does way more than xyz, then that’s fine, and in many cases what you have looked at and used. This is not to be taken as the best products or services, but as a outline, base level that you may want and should compare with. Now you will notice as we move through this article, I am showing an application that I use and some online services I use and/or integrate with. Combine this with all the other smaller questions and you could end up with Logger Software paralysis or worst still multiple loggers, all partially configured, each with some records, which now need to be combined in your final choice (which you have not made yet). These are just a few of the high level questions. Do I want to spend a reasonable amount of money on software or use a free one?.Do I want the logger to accept QSO logs entries from other applications such as WSJT-X and others?.Do I want the logger to send logs to LOTW, eQSL and others?.Do I want a logger to run on Windows, Linux or Mac?.application and database can be moved between devices)? Do I want a logger that is portable (e.g.Do I want just a simple logger (no callsign look up)?.Do I want software that is good for general logging as well as contests?.Do I want software that will help me chase awards? or generally logging?.You are being asked, in the very early stages of your hobby to select and invest some time into your logging software, and to take a guess on how you want to use and what features you need in your logging software. Strangely enough, besides the purchase of your radio(s), this is one of the hardest decisions to make. Very simple answer to this question, and it may sound like a “duck and a swerve”, but the best logging software is the one that suits you, the services you use, the requirements you have and how you use amateur radio.

Ham radio logbook software