March 2001 105
SHORT TAKES
Steve Ford, WB8IMY QST Managing Editor
DX4WIN/32
DX4WIN/32 in the PSK31 mode. Individual signals are
displayed in the waterfall portion of the window.
My RTTY Roundup log sorted by date.
DX4WIN/32 from Rapidan Data Systems is a software pack-
age that adds new meaning to the word “multifaceted.” It does
all standard logging tasks such as award tracking (DXCC,
WAS, WAZ, IOTA, VUCC, TenTen and more) and label print-
ing. It even includes features that are quickly becoming stan-
dards in the rest of the software logging world such as rig con-
trol, multiple log access and so on. But DX4WIN/32 adds a
number of abilities that place it in front of the pack…
•
PSK31 operation with your PC soundcard. You can send
and receive PSK31 within DX4WIN/32—and log your QSOs
in DX4WIN/32 as you go.
•
CW keyboard.
•
World map display with grayline.
•
Antenna rotator interfaces.
•
CD-ROM database support.
•
A contest mode with dupe checking and incrementing
serial numbers.
Test Drive
My opportunity to try DX4WIN/32 came early last January.
I had just finished working the ARRL RTTY Roundup using
WriteLog software. Could DX4WIN/32 digest my WriteLog
file? I entered WriteLog and saved my RTTY Roundup file in
ADIF format, a standard for database exchange. Then, I opened
DX4WIN/32, started a new log labeled WB8IMYRTTY, and
then used the Import function to read the WriteLog ADIF file.
The data flowed into DX4WIN/32 effortlessly, and I received
a report of the results. Now I could page through the log, sort
the QSOs as I pleased and print labels. I jumped to the award-
tracking section to see how many entities I had bagged for my
RTTY DXCC.
DX4WIN/32’s world map function is intriguing. With the map
window open, you can see the path to the DX station in ques-
tion and the distance in miles or kilometers. You also have your
choice of several map projections (some of which I’d never heard
of!). As you drag your mouse pointer over the map, the coun-
tries are highlighted along with their call sign prefixes.
Speaking of the map, DX4WIN/32 can monitor spots from
radio PacketClusters, Internet “telnet” clusters or Webclusters.
DX4WIN/32 will integrate all of the incoming spots into a
single window, announce them verbally—and show the tar-
gets on the world map (with bearings from your position). DX
hunting doesn’t get much better than this.
The PSK31 module performed admirably. It uses the pan-
oramic approach popularized by DigiPan. You see a waterfall
display below the text windows and “tuning in” a signal is as
easy as clicking your mouse. DX4WIN/32’s PSK31 perfor-
mance was outstanding.
Ease of Use
Despite its complexity, DX4WIN/32 is relatively simple from
a user standpoint. You can select “user levels” from beginner to
expert as you become accustomed to the software. It’s obvious
that Rapidan Data Systems designed DX4WIN/32 to be as intui-
tive as possible. I’m not an experienced user of logging soft-
ware, yet I was able to navigate my way around DX4WIN/32
without turning to the printed manual or the help files. When
you don’t have a log open, you can leave DX4WIN/32 running
in the background on your Windows desktop (it appears as a
narrow bar across the top).
DX4WIN/32 isn’t a processor hog. It will run on just about
any Pentium PC under Windows 95/98/ME. DX4WIN/32 also
conserves hard drive space; 15,000 QSOs can be stored in less
than 1 Mbyte.
There are certainly less expensive logging programs on the
market, but if you want to turn your station computer into a
true Amateur Radio nerve center, DX4WIN/32 will leave you
happy with your investment!
Manufacturer: Rapidan Data Systems, PO Box 418, Locust
Grove, VA 22508; tel 540-785-2669; www.dx4win.com/. $89.95
plus $6.95 shipping and handling to the US and Canada; $11
elsewhere. Virginia residents add 4.5% sales tax.
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