More About
FDLog is a set of software programs for logging contacts during Amateur Radio Field Day operations.
What makes FDLog different from other logging programs?
This program cohesively ties together the stations in the Field Day activity, maintaining copies of all data on all computers via the (wireless) network. It allows the stations to choose bands knowing the status of the other stations in the group at a glance. It helps manage the number of transmitters active and allows everyone on the site to see "what's going on" at all times. The input system is designed for minimum keystrokes, and it is optimized for Field Day operations. It is capable of preparing nearly the whole FD Entry form for ARRL submission, making it much easier to actually send in the results. More information is included in the Readme and Manual, included in the distribution zip file.
FDLog is distributed under the GNU Public License. It is written in Python (which is available for no charge) and is of course itself available at no charge. In addition to synchronizing databases over the wireless network, it synchronizes the time clock in FDLog.
The present day FDLog was developed on Windows 2000, but has been used on XP, Linux, Solaris and Apple. It is compatible with Python versions 2.4.x through 2.7 and the new Python 3 variant is compatible with Python 3.9 onward. get Python here. It has been ported to Python 3, released 3/17/2023.
The original version of FDLog was developed in C on a Heathkit H89 running CP/M in 1984. It was a multi-user version with remote terminals connected to the master H89 via RS232 wires strung through the Field Day site. This was later ported to OS9 and then to PC DOS. A complete rewrite into Python adding the wireless synchronized database produced the present version series. Time synchronization was also added to improve the database.
The design and most of the code was written by Alan, WB6ZQZ. Contributors include Eric WD6CMU, Steve KA6S, Glenn WB6W, Frank WB6MRQ and others.
If you have further questions download the software zip file from the Files page and read the documentation therein or see the FDLog Discussion Forum.