Please let me preface my remarks by saying that Dxbase has been my logging program since the early DOS versions. So, my decision to consider a transition to another program has not come easily. While I would absolutely prefer to stay with Dxbase, there are a few key issues that are making it difficult.
That said, my primary issue is with the import of ADIF files from my contesting programs. I (wrongly) assumed that Dxbase had been importing the files "as-is." Instead, in going back through over 40K Q's, I learned all too well that has not been the case. As an example, I just imported my contest log from the recent California QSO Party (CQP). One station I worked was KE1B/6. Unfortunately, when Dxbase imported the file it changed the CQ zone to 5, instead of 3 (apparently ignoring the "/" designator). This is just one of many examples I found in perusing the log. As a consequence, I have had to go back to my handwritten zone data for purposes of keeping track of 5BWAZ. With respect to other imported logs, the country has been changed. In other words, it does not appear to me that Dxbase is following the ADIF 2 protocol. This was confirmed when I checked my log after importing my CQWW RTTY file. And as for exporting logs, the ADIF protocol as I understand it for phone contacts is SSB, with no distinction as to USB or LSB. When Jack announced his "retirement" from support of Dxbase, I purchased Dx4win. While its format is still somewhat alien to me, I have been pleased with several of its features. First, it correctly addresses the zone information. Second, it has an updateable (is there such a word?) country database that is maintained by AD1C who, as many may already know, also maintains the contest logging program databases. Third, it has the ability to edit the field order "on-the-fly." While, I can certainly live with the field order method in Dxbase, the zone and country issues are beginning to stick in my craw. I understand that these issues may be the result of cockpit error, and welcome any suggestions to overcome them, but if not can these perhaps be addressed in the next release? Thanks for hearing me out. 73, Doug W4OX Also, and with respect ______________________________________________________________ Dxbase mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/dxbase Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
