LogConv v2.11

LogConv is a utility that converts Amateur Radio log files to and from a variety of log formats. It can be used to ready log data for submission to contest organizers and logging programs that do not support data import of the original log's format.

Requirements

LogConv v2.1x will run under any version of Windows that supports the .Net 2.0 runtime. Presently, this includes Windows 98/XP/2003/Vista/7. The .Net runtime is not included with LogConv, but can be downloaded for free directly from Microsoft:

    http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

    Download .Net v3.5 Runtime

    Download .Net v2.0 Runtime

Note that you may already have .Net installed on your machine, particularly if you have a recently released Microsoft product. It is recommended that you install the latest version of the .Net runtime, version 3.5, that also includes the v2 runtime if your OS will support it. This will get you ready for future versions of LogConv that will rely on some v3.5 features.

Installation

To unpack the files, copy the files from the LogConv.zip file to a directory on your machine. Then execute the following command:

    Setup.exe

After installation of LogConv, the files used to install it can be removed since LogConv is stored on your machine elsewhere.

Installing LogConv will result in the following files being copied to your PC:

• LogConv.exe - LogConv v2.1x executable (GUI)
• CLogConv.exe - LogConv v2.1x executable (Command-line)
• AdifCompatibility.htm - Notes on ADIF compatibility issues
• Matrix.htm - Lists supported file formats and contests
• ReadMe.htm - This help file

Running LogConv

LogConv comes in two formats, one to run on the command line and the other via a GUI. The GUI version can be started by navigating through the Start Menu to "Start->Programs->KA5WSS Software->LogConv". The LogConv install also places a shortcut to the GUI utility on your desktop.

The command-line version is called clogconv.exe and is available in the directory to which you installed LogConv, which by default is "c:\Program Files\KA5WSS Software\". From within a command prompt or "DOS" box run clogconv.exe with any of the parameters listed below to operate on the command line only. The command line mode is useful for running conversions as part of a batch script.

The command-line usage for LogConv is:

    clogconv.exe [infile] [outfile] [options]

Where [infile] is the original log file that needs to be converted and [outfile] is the new file that will be created with the contents of the converted qsos. LogConv will return an error if [outfile] already exists. [Options] can include one or more of the following settings, separated by spaces:

• -c<contest> - Contest Override. Specify the contest explicitly, overriding any specified in the input file. See the Matrix.txt file for a list of contest abbreviations. Note that there should be no space between "-c" and the contest abbreviation (i.e. "-cCQ_WW").
• -h - Displays LogConv's list of options.
• -srx - Generic SRX Field. Copies the ADIF srx field to srx_string. Some programs improperly put generic exchange info in the srx (serial number received) field instead of srx_string (generic exchange info). Only useful for ADIF input.
• -timeinc - Time Increment. Some logs output only hours and minutes with no seconds specified. Importing these logs into some programs can cause the QSO order to be changed. This option will increment any QSO's time by 1 second if it matches the previous QSO to maintain proper the proper order in which QSO's were made.
• -x - Extrapolate QSO Data. Fill in additional fields with information deduced from existing fields. Only useful for ADIF output.

In the LogConv GUI, ADIF options will only be enabled when an ADIF file is specified as the input or output file as applicable.

LogConv automatically determines the contest of the input file and sets the contest type of the output file to be the same (unless the "-c" option is used to override this value). LogConv automatically determines the format of the input and output files based on the files' extension. The supported file extensions include:

• .adi - ADIF
• .bin - CT v9 and v10(input only)
• .cbr - Cabrillo
• .dat - TR Log (input only)
• .log - EQF (input only)

For a complete list of supported file formats and contests please refer to the support matrix (link will work only after installation).

Enabling LogConv

LogConv is installed without a software license and operates in "demo" mode until a valid software license is installed. In demo mode, LogConv will only convert the first 10 QSO's from a given input file.

To enable LogConv to convert logs containing more than 10 QSO's, you may purchase a license key at http://www.ka5wss.com/Software/logconv/. Follow the instructions to obtain the license key. Copy it to the Windows clip board (<Ctrl+C>) and then perform the following steps to fully enable LogConv:

• If you are running LogConv on a Windows Vista or Windows 7 box you must apply the license using an Administrator-level account or at least have access to administrator privileges. You can run as an admin by right clicking on LogConv.exe file in the installed directory (typically something like C:\Program Files\KA5WSS Software\LogConv or perhaps C:\Program Files (x86)\KA5WSS Software\LogConv) and select the "Run As Administrator" option. Otherwise you won't be able to apply your license key. Once the license key is applied you should be able to use LogConv with a non-admin account.
• Start the GUI version of LogConv. (see "Running LogConv" above)
• Press the "License" button on the right hand side of the dialog.
• In the Register LogConv dialog, paste the license key you acquired into the text box and press the "Apply" button.

After applying the license key you should see your callsign on the title bar of the GUI indicating that the software has been licensed for your use.

ADIF File support

LogConv supports ADIF files for input and output. Realize that the level of support for ADIF varies immensely from product to product. It is not uncommon for some programs to use completely non-standard ADIF field designators in their files, which explains some of the errors that you might encounter.

For more information on ADIF support issues please refer to the AdifCompatibility.htm file that was installed along with LogConv (link will work only after installation).

Uninstalling LogConv

To uninstall LogConv bring up the "Add/Remove Programs" utility by navigating through "Start->Settings->Control Panel" and then double clicking on "Add/Remove Programs". Click on the "LogConv" entry and press the "Remove" button.

Updates

The latest version of LogConv is always available on the LogConv homepage: http://www.ka5wss.com/Software/logconv/

73 de Robert Barron, KA5WSS
P.O. Box 180703
Austin, TX 78718-0703
U.S.A.
email: ka5wss AT ka5wss.com

Release Notes

Version 2.11: 1/9/2010

• Rebuilt LogConv to use the .Net 2.0 runtime.
• Added Cabrillo support for the OK-OM DX Contest.

Version 2.10: 3/26/2006

• Rewrote much of the Cabrillo engine. Should make adding new contests easier in the future.
• LogConv can often now deduce file type based on contents, even when the filename extension is not standardized.
• Extrapolate QSO data check box now enabled when default ADIF output file is set.
• Cabrillo input files that contain frequencies with leading zeroes (i.e. 07010) will no longer cause an error.
• Added ADIF and Cabrillo support for the ARRL UHF Contest.
• Added Cabrillo support for the Helvetia Contest.
• Fixed defect in CT DXPedition logs where 20M and 17M were switched.

Version 2.03: 7/23/2005

• Added auto time increment option (see "-timeinc" option above).
• Fixed Cabrillo parsing confusion over the use of RY and RTTY.
• Added ADIF and Cabrillo support for the IN QSO Party and MI QSO Party.
• Added Cabrillo support for the ARI DX, ARRL VHF Sweepstakes and JA Int'l DX Contests.

Version 2.02: 2/16/2005

• Added -srx option (see description above).
• Added ability to manually override the contest of the input file (see "-c" option above).
• Added support for the Kids Day Contest.
• Added Cabrillo support for the ARRL RTTY Contest.
• Properly handle extra characters at the end of CT files.
• Parse Cabrillo files by column where possible. Few programs utilize the standard's positional specifications.
• Ignore "*" in DAT files indicating a callsign database match.

Version 2.01: 11/14/2004

• Capture and report errors when parsing Cabrillo fields. Improperly parsed fields will be left blank.
• Added Cabrillo file support for the California QSO Party and CQ WW RTTY Contests.
• Added support for the JARTS RTTY Contest.
• Sent serial numbers are auto filled in when not found in the input file of contests that expect serial numbers.

Version 2.0: 8/9/2004

• Initial release of new code using the .Net runtime.
• Added QSO extrapolation capability.