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BLog by Tom Lackamp |
This bit of freeware is for the ham radio and shortwave listening enthusiast who wants to log their finds. A great layout and lots of places to put info too! |
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300k HERE! |
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BLog by Tom Lackamp Ham radio and shortwave listening have been around for decades. There is something about finding that elusive shortwave broadcast from a remote part of the world that makes it a great and fascinating hobby. One aspect of scanning is to record your finds in a database. Checking around, I found some very complicated (and expensive) software packages to keep track of your finds. Talk about a major learning curve!! BLog by Tom Lackamp is a free communications log program with a great, easy to read interface and lots of room to put your scanning details Platform........ Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, and maybe NT Downloading........ Size zipped: 300k (.zip file) Size Installed: 740k in one directory only! This program is a zip file of only 300k and is a quick download. No problem at all. Web Site.......... Tom's web site contains a few other programs besides his BLog, most of which are communications related. His site is easy to read with a standard font and contains sample screenshots for many of his programs. Installation.......... There is no install program built into BLog however, all you have to do it make a directory for it and open up the zip into it. Make a shortcut on your desktop to the .exe file and you're on your way. You'll find detailed instructions on his site too. I suggest you read them thoroughly before starting! Help Files.......... The help file is a .txt document that is included in the zip file and is accessible from both your BLog directory and from the program itself. The help file is detailed, complete and will make it easy for you to get started with this great program. Interface........... The main interface consists of two windows. The first is the input window which you use to place all of your communication information in. The text boxes are large and use a 12 or 14 point font for great readability. Nicely placed right in the top, center is an area showing the coordinated universal time. Four buttons on the bottom allow you to control what you do on this window. Here's a pic (actual size):
The second window is the database window showing you the listings of all your communications. The layout is excellent showing your database list at the top followed by a search area. Highlighting an entry allows all of it's specific information to be displayed at the bottom including notes. Below that is a group of buttons that give you many options to this window. Here's a pic (sized to fit this review!):
Features........... As far as keeping track of communication records, this program has most others beat considering the price and size!! The input window allows you to enter lots of information such as Country, ID, Notes, there's even a Misc window too. The Code and Mode boxes will retain the information that you put in them, listing their contents via the arrow button. I use my Code box for a number from 1 to 9 describing the signal strength, and I use the Mode box for what meter band it is. The fact that it saves this information makes inputting data a breeze! The Notes box give ample space to put any information you desire into it. Oh, and the Time and Date are placed there automatically for you too. Once you've got a bunch of frequencies saved, the database window allows you to access all of that information in a great display! The listings give you a straight rundown of all of your connections data, and highlighting a listing will display it's specific data in the boxes below, including the Notes you made for each. You can apply attachments to each item and the data even allows you to enter Reports, QSL Received (collectable cards that you can request from stations!), and Sigs. The buttons at the bottom allow you to sort your data in many different ways and allow you to control just about everything within the database. Does It Work......... Like a pro! This program is designed so well and is so easy and smooth to work with that you'll be wondering what you did without it. Sure, you can use a general database program to place all of your radio results in, but it won't compare with the ease at which you can review your data with BLog. Problems......... The program runs great and I haven't see a glitch at all. According to the web site, this program is a beta however, the file I downloaded is from September 2000 so I'm not sure if there will be any more updates on it. Personally, I don't see a need. BLog is great as presented. One gripe I might have is that the database window cannot be adjusted, but that's only because I couldn't minimize it for my review! :) Closing......... I have been using this program for almost 8 months as I love to scan shortwave and ham communications. I just never thought about putting it up on my site, so here it is. If you like to keep your ear to the air waves, download this logging program and give it a spin. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Buzzy J
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