The LogBook window
The main program window. At the top you enter a contact, below it is the list - your log or spots from clusters. The numbers in the drawing match the descriptions in the table.
A simplified window layout. In a wider window the QRZ picture and a clock appear on the right (6).
What is what
| No. | Part of the window | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Their data | Callsign, Date Time, E-mail, Name, DXCC/Country, Comment. Above them the Rig button (radio window) and the name of the current LogBook. Next to the fields there are small buttons: the clock (live time / stopped), QRZ (QRZ menu), i next to the callsign (previous QSOs with this station - when enabled in the configuration) and - when recording is enabled - the record button. |
| 2 | Reports and their programs | The gear - configuration (F11). Next to it the LogBook template name (double-click - quick template change). Then RST S/R (sent / received), Grid/QTH and four of their program fields (POTA, SOTA, WWFF…). A small button next to the fourth field opens all program fields (+N - this many filled fields are not visible). When you hide the program fields, this place holds the info panel. |
| 3 | My station | My Callsign, My Grid, Frequency (in kHz), Band, Mode, Power (W) and the big Save to LogBook button. The Clr. button clears the frequency, band and mode. After saving, OK, Duplicated or Error appears for a moment. |
| 4 | My programs | Your program fields (e.g. Parks - here you enter your own park during a POTA activation) - they stay for the following QSOs - and My Comment (your note on the current QSO). When you hide the program fields, this place holds the statistics panel. |
| 5 | Buttons | Set updates from TRX (whether to take the frequency from the radio), Update frequency now, Save defaults / Clear defaults (your fields), Export ADIF (or Send QSL - chosen in the configuration) and Menu - all other program functions. |
| 6 | Picture and clock | The other operator's picture from QRZ and the current time. Right-click the picture - menu: picture or QRZ data in a separate window, saving the image, captions on the image (callsign, date and time). |
| 7 | Below their data | Clear all their data, the distance button (appears when their locator is known - click it to see the path on a map) and Query QRZ. |
| 8 | List bar | The clusters icon (refresh and spot menu), My LogBook (back to the log), the list source (your LogBook, POTA, SOTA, LLOTA, WWFF, DX Summit, DX Heat, Telnet clusters), for POTA / LLOTA Spots / Activations (for SOTA Alerts). On the right Working Before, Set filter, Clear (the filter), Refresh now. The Unlock button is visible only in no-internet mode. |
| 9 | List | Your QSOs or spots. See List and QSO editing, Clusters and spots. |
| 10 | Status bar | Number of list rows, reception status from WSJT-X / JTDX (UDP), download errors, background task progress bar (e.g. uploads to QRZ - X stops it), a red !!! on an upload error (click to read it), Updates are available and About. Coffee? (the About window). |
Colors and hints
- Required fields are highlighted. A field with an error turns red and an icon appears at its right edge - rest the mouse pointer on it to read what is wrong.
- A red callsign in the list (when enabled in the configuration) - you already have a QSO with this station. In a spot list you can see at a glance who is still missing from your log.
- Tooltips: most fields and buttons have a description - rest the mouse pointer on them. After you type a callsign or locator the program can show how to spell it (e.g. Sierra Papa four…).
- List background color: when a filter or Working Before is active, the list background and the button caption change color - a sign that you are not seeing the whole log. Clear (F8) brings back the full list.
Info panel
When you tick Hide program fields (POTA, SOTA etc.) and show statistics and Show info panel in the configuration (LogBook → Appearance), a panel with three views appears below the Grid/QTH field (the ≡ button in its lower right corner):
- Logo,
- Solar Activity - the current propagation conditions image (hamqsl.com),
- VOACAP forecast - the chance of a contact with the other station on each band over the day, calculated from your and their locator. See Maps and statistics.
The same menu also has Refresh, the VOACAP forecast settings and PSK Reporter (who hears your signal).
Statistics panel
In contest mode and with hidden program fields, a statistics panel replaces your program fields: QSO counts on the bands split into phone, CW and digital, and four labels that light up red when the station you typed is new for this LogBook: NEW CALLSIGN, NEW BAND, NEW COUNTRY, NEW MODE. The Menu link in the corner of the panel opens band and country statistics and, in a contest, changing the contest data and ending the contest.
Menu
The Menu button (or F10) holds the functions that do not fit in the window:
| Item | What it does |
|---|---|
| Import data from ADIF files / Export data to ADIF files | Import and export |
| LogBook Tools | LogBook file in Explorer, synchronization with a remote folder, program data backup - LogBooks and backups |
| Share a spot on Telnet cluster / Share a spot on cluster web page | Clusters and spots |
| Send QSL via e-mail | QSL cards |
| Download QSOs from QRZ | QRZ |
| Send LogBook to external services (QRZ etc.) | LoTW, HrdLog, Club Log |
| Show distance on map | When the map is enabled - Maps and statistics |
| Additional Windows | LogBook on a map, PSK Reporter range, propagation and clock, band plan table, SP4THK HamClock, QSO list for a web page, QSL stickers |
| Reset background tasks | Stops background tasks that got stuck (e.g. a long upload). |
| Show picture in new window / Show QRZ data in new window | The picture and the station data in separate windows. |
| Synchronize time with NTP server | NTP time |
| Statistics | Country and band statistics, previous QSOs - Maps and statistics |
| Configure | Program configuration (F11) - Configuration |
| Window | Program window layout - below |
| Help | This help (F1). |
Window layout
Menu → Window arranges the program windows (LogBook, Rig, maps, pictures): Cascade all program windows, Tile windows vertically / horizontally, Center all windows, Restore last window positions, Find window (when one has "escaped" off the screen), Always On Top, Show/Hide Rig and LogBook together and Suggested window layout (LogBook and Rig side by side).
In the same menu (and in the Rig window menu → Window):
- Move the Rig window together with the LogBook and Move the map window together with the LogBook - moving the LogBook moves these windows too (minimizing and maximizing the LogBook does not move them);
- Dock the Rig window to the LogBook when there is room - the picture in the top band is at most 4:3, and when the whole Rig window fits to the right of it (e.g. the LogBook maximized or very wide), the Rig is placed there right next to the picture. A docked Rig is always above the LogBook and hides and returns together with it (the radio is not switched to receive). When there is no room, the Rig returns to its previous place. A Rig moved by hand stays where you put it - until the next LogBook size change.
- Rig window always above the LogBook - the Rig stays where you put it, but the LogBook never covers it; it hides and returns together with the LogBook (like a docked one).
You can enlarge the LogBook window freely - the fields stretch, and a wide window shows the QRZ picture. The program remembers the position and size of its windows.