Learn how to use logging software

Here is a brief tutorial on how to use the N3FJP Field Day logging software. From the main window you see below the most important sections are on the left side where it says “CALL”, “CLASS”, “SECTION” this is where you will spend most of your time in.  To log a station it is easy just enter their callsign, what class they are, and finally their section they are operating from.  Once they have giving their information you can give out our information which can always be found at the bottom right side of the screen.  In the example it is W3KWH, 4E, WPA.

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Now when you take over for someone or the first to start operating the first thing you need to do is to update the software with your information.   You will first click “OPERATOR” on the menu bar and enter you call sign  and your initials.  So when a contact is made you get credit for entering it.  After that is done you will click on “BAND” and enter what ever band you are going to work.  Note if changing bands please make sure you update this.  The final thing you will need to enter is what mode  by clicking “MODE“.  Select CW for morse code, Phone for all voice modes, and Digital for FT8, PSK31, or and other digital modes. Note you can also change modes and bands by click on the blue boxes on the bottom left side of the screen.

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Here are examples of the OPERATOR, BAND, MODE menu selections. You can click on each one for a full size image of each.

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Now that you are up and got everything set up. You can start making your contacts and recording them on the logger. You need only three items for each contact.  You will first get their call sign, their station class, and finally what section they are in.  When you start typing in their call sign all the similar call signs will start showing up in the green section.  if you enter a call sign that someone has already worked in the same band and mode you will get a DUP or duplicate warning.  If you tried to enter an DUP the green section will turn red to indicate a DUP was entered.

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For additional help learning the N3FJP logging software here is a short You Tube video showing N3FJP himself explaining his software.   Scott is a nice guy and it seem we get work him him every field day.

The best and easiest way to learn contesting is to ask someone that is operating to log for them.   That takes the pressure off of you not having to operate the radio but lets you concentrate on just entering the log information, and it give you exposure to hearing the contest exchanges.