login about faq

Logging Mobile QSOs

2

I am still quite new to mobile HF and, so far, all of my contacts have been while parked, as I experiment with my IC-7000. Next week, I will be driving for several hours, and plan to be on the air.

I have a palm-sized voice recorder, that I plan to use for recording the details for each contact, to put in the log later. This way, there is no need to try making written notes. I considered using the IC-7000's recording function, but I want to avoid working with the settings while driving.

I'm curious. How do you log your mobile HF QSOs?

---Michael

asked Jan 15 '10 at 20:15

NO6O's gravatar image

NO6O
371●1●1●11
3 Answers:
oldestnewestmost voted
1

Will you be alone? That would be my first question because I personally would just force someone else to do the logging for me if I was with a co-pilot.

Jack has a good idea with the leg mounted pad of paper. I personally would probably do voice notes on a small recorder or something though and transcribe it later. It seems like it might be easier to just press record, state time, date, call sign, band, etc. and then do the same again upon closing.

I wish you luck with that and most importantly though... DRIVE SAFELY!!!

I do hope you'll come back after your trip and tell us what you used and which method (if you try more than one) worked best for you.

W4NKR

answered Jan 15 '10 at 21:46

W4NKR's gravatar image

W4NKR
140●7

1

I will be driving alone. I'm looking forward to getting on the air during a trip, and I intend to do it safely.

---Michael

(Jan 15 '10 at 22:19) NO6O NO6O's gravatar image
1

I'm back from my trip. Although there were no QSOs to log, my tests showed that a digital recorder will work well as a temporary record of contacts.

Heavy rains and snow prompted me to focus on driving safely. During chances to get on the air, 20 meters was performing poorly. A ham in Washington could not copy my callsign during my only contact.

My return trip was during the evening, with great weather. 20 meters was already closed and 40 meters (my only other mobile band) had no amateur phone activity that I could find.

I'm looking foward to my next opportunity,

---Michael

(Jan 25 '10 at 06:50) NO6O NO6O's gravatar image

Well, I guess that's how it happens. Maybe next time will be better... Good luck again and I look forward to hearing back.

(Jan 25 '10 at 18:51) W4NKR W4NKR's gravatar image
2

I'm a lefty and can attest that unless you write backslanted (rare), a lefty has extreme difficulty with a clipboard regardless of which leg it's clipped to. With memory at a only few dollars per gigabyte now, a voice recorder is really the way to go. Transcribe it to your paper log at rest stops to insure that a malfunction won't cost you too many QSOs. Left or right handed, I would equate trying to write on a thigh board as ALMOST texting while driving. Illegal in many states and unsafe in all.

Allan - N4NLQ

answered Jan 20 '10 at 21:14

Allan%20-%20N4NLQ%201's gravatar image

Allan - N4NLQ 1
61●2

Thank you. I will experiment with the best way to record the log information. I could record it myself, but I want to make sure I get the callsign right. It might be better to record the callsign on the air. Plus, the IC-7000 has an announce feature that calls out the exact frequency. I would add the time and signal report.

---Michael

(Jan 21 '10 at 17:50) NO6O NO6O's gravatar image
1

Well you are doing the easiest voice log procedure,my trick is using a pilots thigh pad and paper,i know you have seen the clipboard on their thigh in the movies or in person,held on by velcro.i do not have to look down while i drive by staying as close as i can as i go across the clipboard.if you go off the edge you know twas to far.i also have a battery run utc clock on the console,i was surprised at how good i got at this with few word crossovers,pad was gotten at army/navy store.good trick for right handed people but not sure about leftys as room at a premium for them.JACK

answered Jan 15 '10 at 21:13

JACK%20ELLIS%20SR%20N7YP's gravatar image

JACK ELLIS SR N7YP
99●1●3

1

Yes, I have seen those thigh pads before, and considered using that method. I want to be sure to log things correctly, and some of my driving will be at night. The nice thing about the digital voice recorder is its simplicity. I can easily start and stop the recordings without looking. My BlackBerry has a voice recorder, but I discovered a few days ago that the program is unstable, and frequently does not save the audio. So, I found a good deal for an Olympus VN-6200PC at RadioShack.

---Michael

(Jan 15 '10 at 22:16) NO6O NO6O's gravatar image
Your answer
toggle preview

Follow this question

By Email:

Once you sign in you will be able to subscribe for any updates here

By RSS:

Answers

Answers and Comments

Tags:

×5
×4
×1

Asked: Jan 15 '10 at 20:15

Seen: 350 times

Last updated: Jan 20 '10 at 21:14

Related questions

RF Grounding Options for HF Mobile Magnetic Mount

Let's talk coax

first 2m mobile setup

How can you tell when you've matched frequency on HF?

Hams for Haiti...

How can I reduce the amount of RFI from my computer?

©2010 elmershack.com | about | faq | privacy | support | contact

powered by OSQA