[amsat-bb] Logging and Recording Passes

[skristof at etczone.com]

My experience is rather limited, but I'll gladly share. 

My set-up for SO-50 is two Baofeng HTs, an Arrow Antenna and an Olympus
digital voice recorder with a plug-in microphone. I have a lanyard from
which I hang the receiving HT. Just above the HT I clip on the external
microphone so it picks up the audio from the HT.  

It's not a perfect system, and I'm sure I make quite the sight for the
neighbors when I'm out in my backyard pointing my antenna at "nothing"
in the air, but it works. 

After the pass, I listen to the QSOs through my computer (the voice
recorder has a USB plug) and just jot them down. I use a homemade
spreadsheet for my satellite QSO log. Nothing automatic. 

I agree that getting certified, or whatever it's called, for LoTW is a
bit of a hassle, but I think that once you done it, you find that it's
worth it. A LOT of QSLs are taken care of through LoTW. I still exchange
cards with anyone that wants one, but I have lot more QSLs on LoTW than
I have QSL cards. 

Once you are confirmed through the LoTW system, the tQSL program you use
to upload QSOs isn't that complicated. I do them individually by hand,
but I believe that the LoTW system will take whole logs if they are in
the correct format. Someone else will have to speak to that part of the
system. 

Anyway, LotW is a hassle to get started, but not so bad and worth it (in
my opinion) once you've got it started. 

Steve AI9IN

On 2016-08-13 13:33, Gerald Payton wrote:

> In studying videos on the internet and reading emails on the BB, I have noticed a frequent mention of "recording" passes, and eventually "uploading to LoTW."
> 
> My questions are:   What is the most common used way of audio recording: a digital handheld recorder or computer software of some kind?  I will have a stationary station; not portable handheld.
> 
> Is it common to keep a personal log and then upload it to LoTW?  If so, what personal log program is commonly used?
> 
> I normally do not use a logging program and certainly not familiar with LoTW.  I looked at it on the ARRL website and it looked complicated.  I really do not understand the process
> 
> I listened to a AO-85 pass with my IC-2730A and a Comet GP-6 dual band base antenna, without any preamp, and was very good copy considering.  That was encouraging.
> 
> Any help will be appreciated .
> 
> 73,
> 
> Jerry AB5R
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