Here Spot!

As I said previously, my home, mobile, and HT radios are all Yaesu with but one exception, that being a recent purchase of a Tytera MD-390 HT for DMR.

For several years now, I have been gaining interest in VoIP and digital comms in general. A Yaesu HRI-200 WIRES-X node might be pretty cool, but to my understanding, I would have to dedicate a Windows computer and a Yaesu C4FM radio like my FTM-400XDR. That is a bit more investment than I am willing to commit to given I don't even know if I will like it, so I began searching out other VoIP solutions.

After a bit of research, I decided to purchase the ZUMspot RPi kit which includes the ZUMspot-RPi UHF board rev. 0.4, Raspberry Pi Zero Wireless, and a micro SD card programmed with the Pi-Star software image. I also bought a layered case to keep it all safe.

After getting it assembled into the case, and setting up the WiFi and software, my first impression  was, "This thing is awesome!" Talk about easy to set up, this was so quick and simple. And how does it work? Fantastic!

One of the first "rooms" I connected to was the FCS00290, America Link WIRES-X. Immediately I hear clear, crisp, full-quieting digital voice from fellow HAMs in Australia, Japan, England, and Wales. Very cool! The one problem I had, though, was feeling as though I was cheating or something. Having a QSO on the internet just isn't the same as a QSO using only my own equipment, but man, it sure is interesting. Effortless QSOs with people all over the world. Who'd a thought!

And the ZUMspot is smaller than a 1 inch cut-off from a piece of 2x4 stud! Totally awesome!

More later...

She's a 10, or 11

So there it was, the littlest thing I ever did see. At first I couldn't believe it, but sure enough, there it was. A dinky little 4" x 4" x 1" thing that she said was the real deal. Yes, it was the tiniest, I mean the tiniest 10 meter radio I have ever seen. Wait, what? Yes, a dinky little radio described as a 10-11 meter Ham/CB radio. And now she has my full attention.

The short-story version has me doing some focused web surfing, a lot or research, and in the end finding that several roads all lead to one place. The Albrecht AE-6110, the Anytone Smart, and a few other sticker names are all stuck on the same radio. Prices were as high as $170, and as low as eBay's cool $58, with free shipping. Yes, that's right, short-story. Oh yeah.

So what's the big deal? No big deal! In fact, it's the tiniest deal I have ever seen for what's purported to be a worth-every-dollar-and-then-some transceiver that operates on both the 10 meter Amateur band for those of us with a ticket, and with a tiny mod either way, runs square on the "11 meter" or Citizens Band for those without a ticket. Whaaat? Yup. For $58 bucks, I decided I just had to try this.

During my research, I found several links to making the tiny - go figure - mod. There are some good YouTube videos and at least one or two really good blogs on this. Then I got to thinking about it and surmised that with a little help from a Digi-Key KAS2102ET DIP switch, the radio might be able to do either/or with just a "little" hood-pop, click, click, and she's a 10 or 11.

My research on this little radio also led me down another path. Is there such a thing as an antenna that works on both 10 and 11 meters? In the US, it seems solid options are hard to come by. Since the radio has a number of European frequency settings to choose from, I did my data digging around Old Blighty.

Blimey! What's that, Guv? The prized Les Wallen Modulator antennae. Seems Les and now a few other chaps have been making the Modulator for decades, and you can spot one for only about 20 quid. Crikey! Ends up this config is the cat's pajamas for this sort of thing. Now just get one on the way, and Bob's your uncle!

Logging Software

Chasing HF contacts without a radio log is sort of like playing a game and not keeping score. It's all fun just playing, but it sure is nice to look back and see all the countries and QSO's you made!

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to check out several software-based radio logs and tools. Through time and use, many I have deleted or no longer use, but a few programs have risen to the top of my list and are being used simultaneously, for comparison. The three on the top of my list, alphabetically, are CQRlog, Ham Radio Deluxe, HamLog CloudLog, and Log4OM.

CQRlog

My top pick and current logging software, CQRlog, has it's own post here. (Oct 8, 2020)

Ham Radio Deluxe

Ham Radio Deluxe is, well, very deluxe. It has more features than I have equipment, and it seems to perform all of it's capabilities very well. HRD brings together functions such as ADIF format log upload and download on QRZ, LoTW, and eQSL, a huge list of DX spotters to pick from, QSO mapping, sat tracking, rotator control, digital HF, available HRDLOG.net online log, and a few other goodies. I've been using HRD for about 7 years now, and it keeps getting better.

HRD Log screen

HRD Radio screen

HRD Sat Tracking screen

As you can see, HRD has very detailed screens and really good functionality. My hesitation comes with redundancy of functions, the cumbersome feeling with multiple windows, and too many buttons that perform the same functions.

It's hard to do all things well, especially when there are businesses that shine with their more singular areas of expertise. Do I need to have all the functions of my radio available on the computer screen? Not me. I just want my radio to "go there" when I find "the spot" I have been chasing. My take-away is this. I'm sure HRD will continue to grow and improve for some time to come.

Log4OM

Recently I began using Log4OM, another well integrated log and control program that retains visual simplicity, yet has so much going on behinds the scenes. So far, I am very impressed.

Log4OM has all the same online functions of HRD, and then some, plus and it links with HRDLOG.net for online log publishing on the HRDLOG.net website, or on your own.

Log4OM Recent QSO (log) screen

The various functions of Log4OM are well integrated. From call sign lookup or clicking on a spot or cluster line, all available data fields auto-populate for the potential QSO log entry. The station's gridsquare location and signal path also plot on the program's QSO Information map. To view any or all of your QSO's, Log4OM links to Google Earth and exports a KML file to plot and save all your QSO's grid locations to Google Earth.

Log4OM QSO Information (map) screen

Log4OM Cluster screen

This program is sophisticated, easy to use, and very easy to look at. The main input area always remains in view, while five tabs under the input area show the various info indicated in the pictures above. Super easy, yet doesn't look or function like an old Windows program from a bygone era. There are numerous videos for the beginner, to advanced user, on setup and use of Log4OM on the Terry Genes YouTube channel.

While searching for a radio log app designed for use on a Chromebook or Android tablet, I came across a cloud-based log system designed for use on these, or any platform. Now before you get all started on Chromebooks, let me ask, when was the last time you used a Chromebook? How about a new one? And what OS do I use to publish this blog? And what OS do I use for everything but?Yup, my new Asus C213S Chromebook, and I love it!

Cloud-based systems don't do heavy-lift computing on the user end of things like the PC database systems we are used to. Instead, they function as a workstation and relay data to an off-site server to be stored and retrieved. This can work for the amateur radio operator on a Chromebook just as easily as with a PC. All you need is an internet connection, or the format to temporarily store data while off-line. It's no different than running a call sign search on QRZ.com right now. In fact, it's exactly the same thing.

HamLog CloudLog

Thanks to the people at HamLog CloudLog, we take yet another step into the new era of amateur radio and computing. While still very basic - in logging software standards - HamLog CloudLog is a very efficient system that can run on any OS right now. And with the Android app, field days can be engaged with just an HT and smartphone/tablet. Awesome! What in the world is coming next?

HamLog CloudLog Log screen

HamLog CloudLog Tools screen

HamLog CloudLog Prefs screen

On the Android side of things, below are screenshots of some of the HamLog CloudLog Android app.

HamLog CloudLog Android App log screen

HamLog CloudLog Android App QSO entry screen

HamLog CloudLog Android App tools screen 1

HamLog CloudLog Android App tools screen 2

So there are some brief comments about three - or, really four - ham logs among the somewhat crowded field. In my opinion, and as far as I have researched, these are my top picks for really good radio logging software and systems that will continue to gain in popularity and function. Take your pick. They are all very nice!

Blessings!