Hi, folks.

As I think many of you know, I have gotten very much into contesting over 
the past few years, and have been using the N3FJP logging software package 
as my main means of logging contest contacts.

The software actually is quite good in terms of interfacing with Jaws and 
windows, and the price of the entire software package certainly can't be 
beat.

In recent weeks, however, I have begun to re-think the N3FJP contest logging 
option at least a bit.  The reason is rather simple.

As our friend, Steve, KW3A knows all to well, I have been trying to figure 
out a way to record contest voice exchanges, and transmit them with my TS590 
via a connection between my laptop and the TS590.  My goal simply has been 
to create voice contest exchanges on the computer, and be able to access 
them as needed via one of the function keys on the computer keyboard.

While this sounds like it would be pretty straight forward, it has not 
turned out to be this easy.

It turns out that the N3FJP software uses the Windows default sound card to 
play the wave files that tell you which fields you are in as you enter 
contest log data.  And, these wave files can only be played through the 
windows default sound card.  Apparently, this condition cannot be changed in 
the N3FJP software, and this greatly limits what I can do in the way of 
interfacing the TS590 with my laptop, where the contest voice exchanges are 
recorded.

AS a result, I'm now beginning to wonder whether I might want to look at 
other contest logging software that might have more flexibility in switching 
sound cards for various purposes.

Some folks on this list have  mentioned using the N1MM software, and I know 
some others  use Writelog, but I believe there are significant costs 
associated with each of these packages.   Plus, I believe  you also have to 
buy separate software for each contest.

For now, my short-term solution is to directly record at least a CQ contest 
voice exchange directly on the TS590 using the VGS1 voice recorder, but the 
risks there involve the possibility of making an error by hitting the wrong 
voice memory key in the heat of a contest, if you have more than one 
exchange.

If anyone has any thoughts on these alternative logging software programs, 
please send them my way.  Any cost info would be appreciated as well.

73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ