StarSoftware Free software for major DXpeditions

DXpeditions and, to a certain extent major special event stations require somewhat different computer logging facilities to those of either contests or every day DXing. For station logging, the emphasis is on comprehensive DXCC and other awards, logging of much ancillary data, such as name, QTH, etc. and the ability to search logs easily. For contest logging the emphasis is more strongly on minimal data collection, with relatively small numbers of QSOs (a few thousand typically) and the smallest number of keystrokes. DXpedition logging falls somewhere between these extremes but creates its own set of unique requirements.

As a generalised statement, by mid 2004, station logging was in the closing phases of moving over to a windows environment. Contest logging is now well on the way to making that transition, the primary reason for the delay being the highly specialised contest productivity features that are hard if not impossible to directly implement in a Windows environment, such as reliable CW generation. As a result, the software used for DXpeditioning has also tended to remain DOS-based. However, the life of DOS-based programs is now severely limited due in part to the gradual removal of support for DOS on modern PCs but mostly because the requisite DOS skills are rapidly disappearing amongst DXers and contesters.

The challenge that the StarSoftware suite of programs steps up to is to implement the very best of DXpedition logging and management software in a native 32-bit Windows environment. In so doing, it also creates a competent station logging and a half way decent contest logging environment but that is not the primary imperative. 

StarSoftware will appeal to major DXpeditions and large multi-station special event organisers. It will probably be considered overkill for the one or two-man DXpedition. StarSoftware requires a moderate investment in IT skills, including the ability to configure and run IP networks.

Find out more about StarSoftware!

	Overview of the StarSoftware suite of programs
	Download area

StarSoftware for personal use?

Word has obviously got out about StarSoftware (or at least about StarLog)!  I am getting quite a few enquiries about whether/when I will make StarLog available for general use.  I need to make it clear that StarLog is not intended primarily as a station logging program.  Over time it may evolve more towards this paradigm but for now it lacks some of the features that most users would expect. 

Many of you will know that I authored TurboLog, which is a station logging program.  I sold the rights to TurboLog many years ago and I have no wish to re-enter the general logging software arena.  I may consider making StarLog available to individuals for station logging but this is likely to be some time down-stream.  Even then I think that availability will be limited to personal friends and those that have successfully used the software in a major DXpedition.  I hope that you'll understand my wish to avoid having a large user base to support.  Been there, done that, don't want to go there again!

73 de John, G3WGV, N3GV