jLog User’s Guide    

jLog requires no additional preparation before use. To enter a QSO simply select the 'New' command from the 'Entry' menu. Fill in the applicable data and click the 'OK' button. The entry should now appear in the Main Window. Repeat the sequence for the next entry. To enter multiple QSO without closing the Entry window, enter 'Apply' instead of 'OK' to finish each entry.

If you have log data from a previous Log program, data can be imported’Open' using the popular ADIF format if the old program supports this. This is the recommended way to import data! jLog has been verified to operate correctly with several other programs.

The default ADIF file extension is '.adi'.

If, and only if, existing data is not available in ADIF format, you should export data in a text format suitable for a Spreadsheet program like Excel. Restructure data using one of these programs and export the modified data in a "comma separated" format, i.e. using Semicolons as a separator as the preferred separator. The sequence of each line of data must be according to jLog’s built-in V6 format (all on one line and no extra spaces or semicolons!):

Use '.jdb' as file extension to easier find the file from jLog. Use the 'Open' command from the 'File' menu to read the file. Note that this is a risky operation because jLog has not been built to allow manual generation of its internal format. It is assumed to be correct! Enter data manually in jLog, save to a file and inspect the file to verify the syntax.

The default filename used by jLog is 'Logbook.jdb'. You may use this as the name for the most frequently used file to be placed in the jLog Home folder. If this file is not found, jLog will remember the last file written to. You can open the last four files written to using File->Recent. Edit the file 'save/recent.txt' to edit the the recent-list, if necessary.

If you import log info from different files with overlapping date/time, the sort command can be used to align the data. Sorting the log other than by Date/Time in Ascending order may be used to get an overview or to save a copy for special purposes.

This will make a copy of the current file in a predefined directory using a unique name and never overwriting a previous copy. The directory can be selected using the Tools->Profile command. If not set, the jLog installation directory is used. Note that you must manually delete files from time to time to recover disk space!!!

Replace all occurrences of a given value throughout the log file for either Station, Mode, Frequency, RST Sent or RST Received fields.

Export all entries or only a subset of entries, i.e. selected or queued entries. Queued entries have the 'Q' column checked.

Setup configures the HTML output to a Browser. Add a title and select the columns to be included.

jLog will initially make use of the printer defaults, but allows you to save specific setting for orientation and margins.
Note that whether margins are specified in 'cm' or 'inch' is depending on the Profile (Misc-tab) setting for Distance ('km' or 'miles').

You may print the log using this command. It will display a Preview of all pages and "Print" button that should be used to initiate the actual printing.

The Properties command provides additional data such as the number of entries on the log, a DXCC summary of total Confirmed and Worked and the number of prefixes worked.

The values for the 8 User defined columns related to this particular log file are shown. You can load or save these values from/to the sets defined in the Profile (UserDef tab).

jLog is delivered with the most suitable Look and Feel for each platform. If the native causes problems, the Java Look and Feel is used in stead.

jLog V6.9 or newer provides a beautiful 'Light Flat' theme and a few similar Dark themes.

You may want to experiment by changing Look and Feel. The last used value is used when restarting jLog. This value is saved in the 'save/LAF.1' file. This file can be deleted to start with the jLog default values.

Perform a simple search through all fields for the specified text string. The search starts at the currently selected row. The search stops at the next row containing the specified text in any field. Type e.g. a blank to open the entry or 'e' to edit it.

Use Find Next (F3) to continue to search for the next occurence.

Repeat the previous Find from the currently selected row.

This allows you to filter the Main Log Window based on e.g. a date range, CW-only and may be most important Configuration (i.e. to see only QSOs from your weekend QTH).

The advanced Search is also available as a Button on the Main Window. Use Search to specify a complex search by combining dates, modes, etc. Note that when entering a date, 'yyyy' is interpreted as '01.01.yyyy'.

Allows you to select the bands that are actually used for various menus (to make the drop-down menus shorter and more user friendly).

Allows you to select the frequencies that are actually used for various menus (to make the drop-down menus shorter and more user friendly).

Use this command to tailor the view of jLog to your needs. It lets you choose the Active columns, i.e. that will appear in the Main Window, rearrange their sequence but moving columns up/down in the Active view. Hide columns by removing them from the Active view and un-hide columns by copying them from the Available view to the Active view. Note that this can also be done in the Main Window by moving column headers and using the new header right-click menu to hide/un-hide columns.

Three different sets (Views) can be stored. Set '1' is always selected when jLog is started. When loading or saving a permanent setting, use the Radio buttons to select the set to be updated. You can also load the set currently used. Read more in the [Tailoring the View] section.

In order to change the flexible columns in the Available view, push the Setup Flexible Columns button. It will open a window showing all possible column values. Choose up to 25 columns to appear in the Avaiable view.

The Mode menu can be tailored; i.e. to only contain the modes you actually use. Select or deselect individual modes. Avoid using Submodes (an ADIF 1+ proposed extension that was never approved).

The Contest ID menu can be tailored; i.e. to only contain the IDs you actually use. Select or deselect individual IDs.

The Main Window view is configurable with respect to each column’s size, the sequence columns appear in and which columns that are shown. Rearrange columns as it suits you and save the current view as one of three predefined views using the Save View→1, 2, 3 command.

Use one view for normal operation, one for contest operation, etc. Note that the three views operate on the same set of chosen flexible columns.

View All makes all Flexible colums visible and resizes column widths. Re-arrange if necessary, before saving as View 1, 2 or 3.

Resize all columns of the Main Window, taking into account the width of the column header as well as the width of every row in the column. Provided that the width of all columns are less than the width available, all columns will be visible. When space is limited, a horizontal scrollbar all columns will become active and thereby avoiding columns to be shrinked. Note that the maximum length of any column can be adjusted in the Profile (Visible tab).

Switch between the default Light or Dark themes setup in the Profile (Visual tab).

This is equivalent to use of the "Theme" button in the Toolbar.

Open the currently selected entry using the Entry form. If 'Edit' mode is checked, the "Auto" checkbox is automatically unchecked to allow editing. Modified information is shown in red colour. Consider carefully before saving it by clicking the OK button. If 'Edit' mode is unchecked, the entry is opened and changes will be ignored.

This opens the Entry form to allow entry of new QSOs.

Time, frequency and mode is automatically updated from the radio in "Auto" is active. Push the 'Start' button to set the current computer time into the start time field. Push the 'End' button to set the current computer time into the end time field. Push "Ref" to manually update the detailed frequency field on the 2nd line in the rightmost position.

Note that these fields that are updated automatically are not changeable unless the "Auto" checkbox is unchecked. Power and Location are also considered to not need frequent updating (can be set using the Preset command).

The State/Province field is only valid for US and Canadian callsigns. It lists all States or Provinces respectively.

County is only valid for US callsigns and displays all Counties within the Selected State (above).

Navigate from field to field using the TAB-key (and SHIFT-TAB to go backwards). The Enter key is used to select OK or APPLY (if this was used to end the previous entry). The idea is to use a minimum of keystrokes and mouse operations.

New entries are backed up until properly saved to the log file. If jLog or the computer suddenly crashes, new entries are read from the backup file the next time jLog is started. The User is asked whether these entries should be added or not.

Use the Prev/Next buttons to quickly navigate from entry to entry without closing the Form.

Allows you to insert a new entry in front of a selected row anywhere in the log.

The last entry entered can be deleted. Note that older entries cannot be deleted!

Hint: To remove an old entry in the log, set the date to a date newer than "today’s" date. Sort the log and delete the last entry.

Use this command to add the same remark to a number of selected entries.

Mark selected entries as belonging to a certain configuration (defined in the Profile). Configurations can be used to differentiate between callsigns, addresses, rigs, etc.

Set the Contest ID value for selected entries.

The currently selected QSO will be opened in a Map viewer provided that there are any geo information (Grid or Lat/Lon) available. Use the'Show <grid>' button to draw the grid onto the map. The button appears when a grid is available.

Online lookup from HamQTH.com of the station of the currently selected row. The information is displayed in a separate window. User/password for HamQTH must be registered in the Profile.

Online lookup from QRZ.com of the station of the currently selected row. The information is displayed in a separate window. Use ctrl-F5 to open the QRZ window from the entry window and ctrl-F6 to transfer relevant values. User/password for QRZ must be registered in the Profile.

Note that unless you are a registered, paying customer, only the Name and Country fields will be displayed. To see the remaining fields, a paid QRZ XML license is needed as a minimum.

Display the QSL-card from eQSL provided that the "eR" column is checked.

Send selected entries to eQSL provided that User/Password for eQSL is registered in the jLog Profile, manual submission is enabled and if required, eQSL Nickname properly setup in The active Profile Config and eQSL tabs. If successful, the 'eS' flag is checked. A dialog box is shown in case errors or warnings are issued by eQSL.

Send selected entries to Logbook of the World (LoTW) provided that User and Password for LoTW is registered in the Profile and manual submission is enabled. If successful, the 'loS' flag is checked. A dialog box is shown in case errors or warnings are issued by LoTW.

Note that TQSL (from ARRL) must be installed and TQSL Path and Location(s) must have been properly setup in the active Profile Config and LoTW tabs.

QRZ provides a logging service that allows real-time logging of new entries from jLog. This can make your log more available and also serve as a remote backup. Note that this requires a QRZ membership at XML Data or higher (also used for full QRZ lookup). Provided that a valid QRZ Logbook 'API key' has been entered into the Profile, this command sends the selected entries to QRZ Logbook. You can provide a singe API Key in the Favourites tab or one key per configuration in the Config tab to allow QRZ logbooks reflecting e.g. different calls or QTHs.

HRDLOG provides a logging service that allows real-time logging of new entries from jLog. This can make your log more available. Provided that a valid HRDLOG 'Upload Code' has been entered into the Profile (Favourites tab), this command sends the selected entries to HRDLOG.

QRZ provides a logging service that allows real-time logging of new entries from jLog. This can make your log more available. Provided that a valid Club Log 'Application Password' has been entered into the Profile (Favourites tab), this command sends the selected (single) entry to Club Log.

Note that Club Log does not allow multiple entries to be sebt using this real-time service.

Gather information from eQSL, LoTW, QRZ and HamQTH regarding the use of eQSL and LoTW by the callsign being looked up.

When used from the Entry menu or from mouse right-click menu, the callsign of the currently selected row is automatically searched.

Position at the first entry of a specific date in the log.

Set the default values for Frequency, Mode, Power and Location to be used in the Entry form (see above). Note that the frequency and mode values are not used when a radio is connected to supply this information. The Power and Location values can be set directly or by using the values available using the buttons. The values are used as default values when creating new entries.

Use the 'Set Default' button to save the current values as the new start-up values.

Set 'Auto' (i.e. "Radio present") mode as the default. Band and Mode are automatically filled in for new entries.

Check the Edit mode to allow changing existing entries. If unchecked, entries are opened in read-only mode.

Values shown in the Main Window cannot be changed directly. An exception is the QSL Sent/Received Check Boxes. Check the Edit S/R to allow modifying these values directly from the Main Window.

Display the detailed DXCC status. The content is assumed to be self-explanatory.

Display status for the Worked All Continents (WAC), Worked All States (WAS), Worked All Zones (WAZ), Worked all Prefixes (WPX), US Counties Award (USCA), Islands On The Air (IOTA) and VHF/UHF Century Club (VUCC) awards. The Save As commands are described above (under DXCC). Sort by clicking the appropriate column header.

Note that the WAS Report now handles the Primary Administrative Subdivision of many countries (e.g. CA, CH, BE, DE, DK, FR, NL, PT).

Recalculate Multipliers and Points for the contest selected under Recalc modes. Note that a Recalc mode (e.g. SAC, ARRL, CQWW, etc.) must be selected and Contest Mode turned on before Re-calc is activated. Multipliers and Points are updated in the log and the resulting numbers are displayed in a popup.

Note that this still is considered experimental functionality and only covers a few contests.

Turn On/Off Contest Mode (e.g. auto incrementing the Send sequence number).

Set the contest Recalc modes for the few contests with support for automatic calculations, or select Manual mode for all other contests.

Select the Contest ID from the larger list maintained under 'View->Contest ID'. The Cabrillo length and Exchange type will be automatically filled in for the most popular contests. If not, read the contest rules and determine the proper values to be selected.

The Exchange Type indicates whether one or two extra exchanges are used in this contest (in addition to RS(T) or dB). It also indicates whether or not exchange 1 is numeric and should be auto incremented after each QSO. The available values are:

Fill inn any fixed values for Exchange 1 and Exchange 2.

If Auto number is to be used, set the current value of the Number series manually. This value is automatically incremented.

Setup the Cabrillo V3 header to be used when exporting a contest log. Saves the current values (to a file named 'cab-hdr.cbr'). These values will be used when exporting a log using 'File->Export->Cabrillo'.

Open the Spot Log window to overview incoming DX Spot reports.

Set the frequency of the radio to the frequency of the currently selected entry in the Spot Log.

Open a connection to the host for receiving spots from the host chosen in the 'Spot' tab in the jLog Profile.

Close an open connection..

Show/Hide the Clock by checking this command.

The Clock always displays UTC format.

Show/Hide the Keyer using this command.

Show the mini-Keyer.

On-line synchronization with eQSL.cc to update the status for received cards; i.e. sets the eQSL Received flag for entries corresponding to the current log.

Import saved eQSL.cc "Logbook/OutBox" file to update the status for sent cards; i.e. sets the eQSL Sent flag for entries corresponding to the current log.

On-line synchronization with LoTW to update the status for received cards; i.e. sets the LoTW Received flag for entries corresponding to the current log. You must choose the date interval for the update. Please avoid unnecessary large intervals as this increases the load for the LoTW QSL Service.

US State/County can be automatically looked up from QRZ.com via an Internet connection. The result is automatically entered for all selected entries provided that the callsign is found in the QRZ.com database.

Note: Select an area by first clicking on the start row (i.e. select it). Then, scroll to the last row to be selected, press SHIFT and click on the last row. The whole area should now appear as selected. You can select/deselect a specific row by holding down CTRL and clicking the row. Repeat for multiple rows.

Use QRZ and/or HamQTH to lookup missing or ambiguous zones in the selected rows. Note that this puts a heavy load on the lookup services, so use it when necessary.

Checks the currently open Log. The result is displayed in a new Log Window. One or more entries can be selected and opened, edited or made hidden. The latter relieves you of having to see warnings that have already been checked out.

The QSO Number value indicates the next QSO Number to be used for new entries.

Re-number the current log starting with the QSO Number specified (should normally be set to 1 if the whole log is to be renumbered).

Find duplicate entries and optionally remove them. Please note that only the fields Date, Time on, Station, Frequency, Mode, Send, Receive, Time off, Name and QTH are checked.

Rebuild selected prefixes, either just empty or overwrite old values. This can be especially useful with QSOs logged or imported with legacy versions of jLog that limited the numeric part of prefixes to 2 digits.

Recalculate distances for selected QSOs, either blank only or overwrite old values.

Show selected log entries on a Map. Use Main Window sorting prior to running this command to e.g. display certain modes or frequencies.

To get more information about a specific contact, click at the very bottom of a marker on the map and extra info will appear in the info field below the map. Click the 'Open' button to show the corresponding entry in the log.

The WSJT-X Tracker (or just Tracker for short) is a built-in tool that links jLog and WSJT-X to provide extended capabilities. It assists the user in keeping track of confirmed Countries, Prefixes, US States and US Counties by both color coding callsigns in WSJT-X entries and by it own list of potential stations of interest. More information is available here.

Open the Geo Calculator dialog to allow various conversions of Latitude and Longitude values to/from Gridsquare. Note that various forms are accepted, e.g.

All three are acceptable. You can choose between the first and the last when calculating Lat/Lon from Gridsquare.

Lookup information regarding a selected entry from QRZ.com. Note that unless you are a registered, paying customer, only the Name and Country fields will be displayed. An XML license is needed as a minimum and user/password for QRZ must be registered in the Profile.

When used from the Tools menu, it starts with an empty callsign.

Open the default browser to display the selected user’s page at QRZ.com.

Lookup information regarding a selected entry from QRZ.com. User/password for HamQTH must be registered in the Profile.

When used from the Tools menu, it starts with an empty callsign.

Gather information from eQSL, LoTW, QRZ and HamQTH regarding the use of eQSL and LoTW by the callsign being looked up.

When used from the Tools menu, it starts with an empty callsign.

Radio Setup has been separated from the Profile to allow Profile changes without disturbing active radios. Many changes to radio setting will require a jLog restart.

Setup three Radios and other optional interfaces. The built-in Keyer shares the COM port with a Radio. You must check the "Radio present" box even if you use a keyer only (see Radio Parameters in the Radio Interface below). The three radios have separate sub-tabs with equal content.

The first choice is whether to use Serial connection or TCP/IP. This will enable/disable other parameters accordingly.

For serial connections, Port is used to select a built-in or USB-based serial port. Note that you may have to re-start jLog after having checked "Radio present" in order to see any entries in the "Port" drop-down menu. You will need to re-start jLog after plugging in a USB-device, too. Then set the proper Baudrate.

For TCP/IP connections the address and port of the radio must be entered. The radio or more precisely the application for the radio is typically running on the same computer as jLog. The address can then be entered as localhost or 127.0.0.1. The port is determined by the radio. The Reconnect TCP/IP button will attempt to reconnect the current radio and close the Radios window. If this is unsuccessful, jLog will have to be restarted+

Set the manufacturer and model. You may have to experiment with different Auto refresh values and enable/disable the auto refresh depending on the radio model. A to high refresh rate may garble data or block the radio. Icom and most Kenwood radios should not need to use auto-refresh provided that they are set up to report automatic frequency and mode changes. ICOM refers to this as "Transceive" mode. Select Auto upd. in this case. If Transceive is disabled in the radio, you will have to use Auto refresh.+

For serial connections, the *Modem status* is for information only and displays the actual status of the control signals. Set controls allows you the activate DTR (should normally be activated, specifically if it is the source of power for other modem signals). Flow control mode should normally be set to RTS ON unless a Keyer is connected (in which case "KEYER" should be selected). Use the other alternatives only if your radio manual specifies that RTS/CTS signaling or XON/XOFF is to be used.

Each radio may have a corresponding CAT Server set up to share the radio connection with WSJT-X. The port selected here will have to be entered into the Radio setup of WSJT-X and to use the jLog CAT Server, WSJT-X must specify FlexRadio 6xxx as the Rig and Network Server 127.0.0.1:<port> where <port> is the port setup in jLog, e.g. 127.0.0.1:5005.

In order to allow WSJT-X to turn on/off TX (transmitter) via CAT, you have the option of specifying the sequence used by your radio for TX On and TX off. When using the CAT Server, these values will have to be "TX1;" and "RX;" respectively. This may be integrated into the radio definition files in a future version of jLog.

Logging address/port is where WSJT-X send logging info after a contact has been completed, typically set to localhost:2237. This must correspond to the setup in WSJT-X.

wsjtx.log path is optional as must be set to the directory fond by the WSJT-X 'File->Open log directory' command. It is used for WSJT-X file import only as is not necessary if the logging address/port has been set up.

Sync Delay is experimental and allows radio 1 to be synchronised to radio 2. If radio 1 is a traditional transceiver, radio 2 can be an SDR receiver used to navigate. You will also need a T/R-switch (e.g. MFJ-1208B-SDR) to control antenna switch-over. Experiment with 200 - 500 ms sync delays. This combo will make the old transceiver become a modern SDR transceiver when it comes to user experience.

Reconnect+OK will attempt to reconnect all radios and close the Radios window. jLog will have to be restarted if this is unsuccessful.+

See also the description in the Getting Started Chapter above. The Profile is unchanged when installing an updated version.

Displays the on-line jLog User’s Guide in a browser.

The non-registered version of jLog allows a maximum of 200 entries, mainly for evaluation purposes. Register jLog (using Help->Register) and open up more capacity free of charge. See top menu item Register.

Displays various System information related to the Java environment. Use Save As to save it to a file e.g. for sending it to mail@jlog.org when requesting support.

On-line check for new versions. Make sure that you are connected to the Internet when using this command. The http-protocol is used in read-only mode so nothing is sent from your computer.

Displays the jLog and Java Versions and the address of the jLog Home Page (https://jlog.org/) and E-mail address ( mail@jlog.org) to be used for Support.

Configurations are defined in the Profile, Config tab where one or more configurations are listed in the table at the top. The table shows a subset of the values to help differentiate between the entries. When you select an entry in this table, the full set of values is shown below. Give each entry a characteristic name and a very short 'Abbreviated Config. name' to be used in the main log window. If you make changes to the values for a selected configuration, click 'Update' to save it before switching to another configuration. Changes to the selected configuration is saved when closing the Profile.

Please observe that the TQSL Locations and eQSL Nicknames are defined under the LoTW and eQSL tabs respectively. TQSL Locations must reflect the configurations defined in the TQSL application. eQSL Nicknames must reflect the values defined at eqsl.cc.

When a new entry is created, the currently selected configuration in the Profile is selected so it will not require any additional action.

In case you need to change the configuration for one or more entries in the Main window, simply select them and use Entry->Set Configuration to change to another value.

ADIF Import will automatically generate new configuration entries if the currently available entries does not match. You may need to rename, delete or rearrange entries both in the Profile and in the main log window after a new ADIF import.

It it useful to understand how Views relate to columns, and flexible columns in particular and further, to QSO fields (ADIF fields). The may help such understanding.

The 13 fixed columns (e.g. Date, Time, station, etc.) were defined in jLog early days. The flexible columns (was 10, now 25) can be used to display any other field of interest.

Move a given column to the left or to the right by clicking og holding down the mouse on a column header and then moving it to either side. Avoid moving any column ahead of, or between Date and Time. Repeat for other columns if necessary. End by using View->Save view->n to save the view.

Place the cursor between the column you want to remove and the next column, making sure that the special cursor appears. Then, click and hold the mouse down while moving to the left or right. Release when the column size is as preferred. Repeat for other columns if necessary. End by using View->Save view->n to save the view.

Right-click on any column header in the Main Window to make a popup header appear. Click on the column name to hide/un-hide a specific column name.

You can also open View->Columns and select the column name in the Active Columns table to the right and push the Rem(ove) button. Copy a column name from the available view to the Active view to un-hide a column. Repeat if necessary and the close the Columns setup window using the OK button.

End by using View->Save view->n to save the view.

jLog has a basic set of 13 columns that cannot be replaced; only moved or hidden. The initial 13 columns are followed by 25 flexible (replaceable) columns. Each of the replaceable columns can be swapped with 33 other columns (e.g. IOTA#, CQ Zone, Contest ID, etc.).

To add a column (i.e. replace one of the 25 flexible columns), open View->Columns. The table to the left contains the 13 basic columns followed by the currently chosen, up to 25 flexible columns. Edit the replaceable columns using the "Setup flexible columns" button, then exit using the OK button. The content of the Available columns to the left will reflect the changes, as will the table to the right where replaced columns will be automatically removed. Add a column to the Active columns table by selecting the name in the Available Columns table and then clicking the '+>' button in the middle. Repeat if necessary and the close the Columns setup window using the OK button.

Java offers a few built-in LAFs and jLog adds three dark and one light additional LAFs based on FlatLaf. Use File->LAF to change LAF.

jLog makes it possible to track the Light/Dark theme setting of the system at least for newer MacOS, Windows 10+ and Ubuntu Linux. LAF settings are available in the Profile’s Visual tab. Choose the default Light and Dark themes to switch between. Switching occurs with the system (if enabled) or using the Theme switching button in the Toolbar.

Use View->Modes to select your preferred modes. Not that the ADIF hierarchy is shown, differentiating between modes and submodes. As an example: FT8 is a mode, but FT4 is a submode under the MFSK mode.

Modes with submodes shows a '>' symbol to the left of the mode name. Click on the '>' symbol to show the submodes. Use the checkboxes to select preferred modes.

jLog mode menus (e.g. the Entry window) provides a list of a these selected names, without differentiating between modes and submodes. In case of ADIF export, the hierarchy is restored automatically.

Allows you to select the Frequencies (or more precisely, Frequency Bands) that are actually used (to make the drop-down menus shorter and more user friendly).

Allows you to select the Contest_IDs that are actually used (to make the drop-down menus shorter and more user friendly).

Names are as defined by ADIF, i.e. an abbreviated name used in menus and the official full name. Some of the contests have two additional parameters:

View->Contest IDs lets you select your favourite subset of all Contest IDs. Unless you have not yet used View->Contest IDs, please run it now to select your favorite contests.

Then, open Contest->Setup before starting contest logging and select the desired ContestID. The parameters Cabrillo Length and Exchange Type will be automatically filled in for the most popular contests. If not filled in, study the contest information and set these entries yourself. The Exchange Type indicates whether one or two extra exchanges are used in this contest (in addition to RS(T) or dB). It also indicates whether or not exchange 1 is numeric and should be auto-incremented after each QSO.

If either of the Exchange fields are supposed to carry a fixed value, this is the place to fill in these values. jLog will automatically copy these values to the Entry window before a new QSO as long as Contest->On is enabled.

If you cannot find the desired contest in the list of all Contest Ids, run Contest->Setup and fill in manually the contest name, Cabrillo length and Exchange type. Use the Setup button (to the right of the Cabrillo length field) to specify Cabrillo log format details. If fields are empty, use the Init button to initialize all fields with typical values for the specified Cabrillo length. Note that your contest may need slight adjustments to comply with the required format of this contest.

After completing Contest->Setup, use Contest->On to enable the contest exchange fields in the Entry window. Note that these fields are enabled according to the Exchange Type field in Contest->Setup and will have any fixed values set in Contest->Setup, automatically filled in.

It should normally be favorable to push the Tab key to navigate between fields.

Each contest QSO should be ended using the "Apply" button in the Entry window. This will prepare for the next QSO by storing the record, clearing fields and if necessary, auto-incrementing sequence numbers and filling in any fixed values for the exchange fields.

This is perhaps the most experimental part of contest support so far. Only a few contests are specifically handled, filling in multipliers, points and calculating the final score. These are the SAC, ARRL DX and CQ-WPX, all using Exchange 1 Auto-numbering mode. Other contests are supposed to use the Contest->Manual position indicating no attempt to calculate the final score.

After finishing logging, use Cabrillo Export to export all or selected entries to a file for submission to the contest organizer. This implies setting up the Cabrillo V3 header. You should inspect the Contest Rules to determine which header entries that need to be filled in.

If you are a serious contester using a dedicated contest logger (e.g. N1MM), you should use File->Import->ADIF to transfer the QSOs. If ContestID is not transferred from the logger, select the QSOs in the main window and use Entry->Set ContestID to set it.

QSL Status (S/R) is shown as a checkbox in the main Window. The values can be updated directly by clicking inside the checkbox provided that you have enabled this function. The value Entry->'Edit S/R' enables/disables this function (also available in the right-click pop-up menu). QSL status can also be updated in the Entry form.

jLog provides automatic and manual functions for interaction with ARRL’s Logbook of The World (LoTW).

jLog provides automatic and manual functions for interaction with eQSL.

The built-in keyer can be used when a radio set is connected to the computer. Two Keyer interfaces are available; the standard Keyer and a mini-Keyer (visible only when adding new entries). Switch to a keyer from Log input using ALT+'k' and back again using ALT+'l'.

Send user defined text using Function Keys F5 to F12 or type in text using the keyboard. All characters represented by the Morse code can be transmitted. In addition, unused characters are used to represent special sequences as follows:

The following keys are used to indicate that specific values should be inserted:

These characters can be used both in F5 - F12 character strings and typed in from the keyboard.

Keys F2 - F4 are used as follows (may change in the future):

The Keyer uses the Radio interface port selected in the Profile. The RTS pin (7) is used for keyer output. Ground is pin 5.

A Radio interface module is included with jLog to allow automatic logging of frequency and mode. When a radio is properly connected, the current frequency and mode is displayed in the lower right corner. Click in this field to update the frequency or turn on Auto update in the Profile. Note that older radios may not be suited for automatic update. ICOM radios will always update automatically, provided that the "Transceive" mode is on.

If you do not need the radio interface, turn off 'Radio present' in the Radio tab in the Profile.

The Tracker communicates with WSJT-X using the UDP Logging Port. The port is setup on the Profile->Radio page (typically using localhost or 127.0.0.1 as address and port 2237).

The are more than one way to connect WSJT-X and jLog to the radio when also using both of them:

Make sure that the corresponding UDP Server setup in WSJT-X (Reporting tab in Settings) is as follows:

UDP Server setup in WSJT-X Setup, Reporting tab

Use can use localhost, 127.0.0.1 or 224.0.0.1 as the address. The latter is a multicast address.

Start the Tracker using Tools->WSJT-X Activity Tracker or simply Cmd-T (Mac) or Alt-T (Windows/Linux). You can start it automatically by checking "Open at start-up" in the Profile->Misc tab under WSJT-X Tracker.

The main window of WSJT-X Tracker

The columns are as follows:

The Tracker Main window provides right mouse button popup menu for various lookup services.

The 'Setup' button in the Tracker Main window will open the Tracker Setup window.

WSJT-X Tracker Setup window

Only stations with a stronger signal than 'Minimum signal strength' will be acted upon both in the WSJT-X Tracker main window and with respect to coloring stations in WSJT-X list.

'Show countries not confirmed by both eQSL and LoTW' will list non-confirmed countries as long as they are not confirmed by both eQSL and LoTW. (There is an intention to differentiate this similar to the following entries).

You can differentiate between eQSL and LoTW for non-confirmed prefixes, US States and US Counties. Note that color coding will give priority to prefixes over states and states over counties.

The next two rows are assumed to be self-explanatory and less frequently used. Note that 'Stations worked before' are always colored in WSJT-X lists. This option is related to the Tracker main window only.

The Tracker will perform lookups for CQ calls only as default. You can enable lookups for RR73 messages and 73 messages also. Be aware that more frequent checks requires more processing power and also a faster Internet connection.

You can ignore specific countries. Enter the DXCC numbers separated by comma (no space). Or, simply push the Set button and select from the menu.

You can specify Wanted Grids as comma separated list of 2 or 4 character grids(no blanks in the list).

You can specify Wanted Stations as comma separated list of callsigns (no blanks in the list).

The Refresh button will refresh the eQSL and LoTW user lists. This is particularly important for LoTW since the list contains a last active date.

Another example of WSJT-X callsign colouring (old colour scheme):

In the example above, YH2 and YH5 are prefixes that has not been confirmed. BH6LIG and BD4STG has already been worked.

The following colour scheme (changed in jLog V6.12) is used to colour callsigns in WSJT-X.

Note that "New" is this context is short for "Not yet confirmed"

The colors (foreground and background combinations) can be changed with the Tools->'WSJT-X colours setup' command.

Open Config->Configure Ports, Mode control, Winkey, etc…​ in N1MM.

In the Broadcast Data tab: Enable the Contacts checkbox and fill in the IP address and port of the computer running jLog. For the local machine (localhost), use 127.0.0.1:12060. On a separate machine, use the machine’s specific address. Note that a colon is used to separate address and port. Port 12060 is recommended by N1MM. Use e.g. 12061 if 12060 is occupied by another service.

Address and port

Open Contest->N1MM Setup…​ in jLog and fill in the N1MM address and port.

If N1MM is running on the same computer or addresses the computer running jLog specifically, 127.0.0.1 will suffice. Fill in the port used when setting up N1MM, normally 12060.

N1MM to jLog mapping

Setup the mapping between N1MM’s tags (left) and jLog’s tags (right). Note that the S/R <i>Exch</i> 1/2 fields appear in jLog’s Entry (QSO) window following the RST fields. Each of the drop-down fields contain the candidate N1MM fields to source the jLog fields. A typical default setup is shown.

The use of fields by N1MM may vary from contest to contest. Please report back if more field has to be added to the drop-down lists.

Optional date or date interval

When you use the N1MM Tools->Rebroadcast all Contest QSOs to other Apps…​ command, N1MM broadcasts all entries in the current database. In case this contains more than one contest, you can use jLog’s Date(s) field to limit the import to the desired contest.

Trace output to a file

When experimenting with the setup, it may be useful to see the actual data sent by N1MM. Check the Trace checkbox to direct the data to a file. Note that writing to the file puts an extra load on the computer while N1MM continues to broadcast data at a fixed rate (with no "hand-shake protocol" to avoid loosing data).