== Getting Started with Logging == Note: if you are switching to DXKeeper from another logging application, see [[SwitchingToDXKeeper|this article]]. '''DXKeeper''' is DXLab's logging application. Its '''Main '''window contains 6 tabs across the top, each corresponding to a logging activity. Select the '''Log QSOs''' tab; in the upper-right corner of this tab, you will see a vertical column of 8 checkboxes; you may have to horizontally expand the Main window to see these checkboxes and their captions. Check the '''Auxiliary''' and '''QSL''' boxes, and leave the rest unchecked. You should now see three panels at the top of the Main window's Log QSOs tab: '''QSO''', '''Auxiliary''', and '''QSL''': {{http://www.dxlabsuite.com/Wiki/Graphics/DXKeeper-2.jpg}} A screen shot showing the '''Log QSOs''' tab of DXKeeper's Main window with all 9 panels visible is [[http://www.dxlabsuite.com/dxkeeper/All_Panels.jpg|here]]. Note that the '''Online QSL''' panel includes sub-panels for '''Club Log''' and '''QRZ''' because the '''Club QRZ''' box is checked in the '''Log Panels''' on the Configuration window's '''Log''' tab. Enable the [[https://www.dxlabsuite.com/dxkeeper/Help/Configuration.htm#Display%20panels%20in%20two%20columns|Display panels in two columns]] option if you prefer a more horizontal orientation. Below these three panels, you'll see a row of buttons. For now, ignore all but three: . '''Capture''' -- clicking this will display the Capture window on screen . '''Config '''-- clicking this will display a window that lets you configure DXKeeper . '''Help''' -- clicking this will display DXKeeper's online documentation in your web browser. Below the row of buttons you'll find an unlabeled table called the '''Log Page Display''' which is used to display QSOs in your log; at this point, the Log Page Display is empty, because you've not yet created a log. Below the Log Page Display are panels that let you sort and filter the Log Page Display; ignore these for now. Before you can log your first QSO, you should tell DXKeeper a little bit about yourself. Click the '''Config''' button, and in the '''DXKeeper Configuration''' window (referred to as the '''Config''' window), select the '''Defaults''' tab. On this tab, specify a. your callsign in the '''Station callsign''' and '''Operator callsign''' textboxes a. the transmit power you most often use (e.g. 100) in the '''Transmit power''' textbox a. the propagation mode you most often use in the '''Propagation mode''' selector (typically '''F2''' for HF operation -- by specifying this now, you can later upload your QSOs to ARRL's [[http://www.dxlabsuite.com/dxlabwiki/QSLingLotW|Logbook of the World]] without having to first update your QSOs with this information) To create a log, select the Config window's '''Log '''tab, and then in the '''Log file''' panel at the top click the '''New''' button; a window entitled '''Create new log: navigate to folder, and specify filename''' will appear. Your log file can be placed anywhere on any hard drive on your PC, and DXKeeper will automatically remember its location and open it for you each time you start the program, but its suggested that you place your log in your DXKeeper folder, and used your callsign (omitting any slashes) as its filename . Click the '''Create new log...''' window's '''Open''' button, and you're ready to start logging QSOs. Click the '''Capture''' button to display the '''Capture''' window, which is designed for real-time logging. {{http://www.dxlabsuite.com/dxkeeper/Capture.jpg}} The Capture window's height can be expanded or contracted to show the items you need to record with each QSO. Here's the fully-expanded Capture window: {{http://www.dxlabsuite.com/dxkeeper/FullCapture.jpg}} Type a callsign into the Capture window's '''Call''' textbox and strike the '''Tab''' or '''Enter''' keys; if you have [[CallbookLookup| access to a Callbook configured and enabled]], information it provides will be placed in the appropriate Capture textboxes. Record additional information as desired, e.g. name, signal report, QTH, notes. If you're [[TransceiverControl|controlling your transceiver with Commander]], the''' frequency''' and '''mode''' will be automatically recorded in the Capture window; otherwise, you'll need to type these in manually. When the QSO is complete click the '''Log''' button. The logged QSO will appear in the Log Page Display at the bottom of the Main window's Log QSOs tab, and the Capture window will be ready to log the next QSO. If [[https://www.dxlabsuite.com/dxkeeper/Help/LogIntegrity.htm|required items are missing or contain invalid values]], clicking the '''Log''' button will highlight the labels of these items in red font, but will not enter the QSO into the current log; correct the errors, and then click the '''Log''' button. DXKeeper's '''Main''' window is used for several purposes: * while logging via the '''Capture''' window, the '''Log Page Display''' on the Main window's Log QSOs tab shows * previous QSOs with the station you're working (after you type in a '''call''' and strike Tab or Enter) * your most recent logged QSOs (after you click the Log button) * the Main window's''' Log QSOs''' tab can be configured for rapidly [[LogCompletedQSOs|recording already-completed QSOs]] from a paper logbook or from notes made during an operating session * the Main window's '''Check Progress''' tab lets you check your [[http://www.dxlabsuite.com/dxkeeper/Help/Progress.htm|progress]] towards DXCC and other DX awards * the Main window's '''my QTHs''' tab enables you to provide information about your QTH(s) for inclusion in generated QSL cards * [[ManageMultipleQTHs|Managing Multiple QTHs]] * [[RenamingQTHIDs|Renaming QTH IDs]] * the Main window's '''Import''' tab enables you to [[QSOImport|import]] an [[http://www.dxlabsuite.com/ADIF.htm|ADIF]] or tab-delimited file from another logging application * the Main window's '''Export''' tab enables you to [[QSOExport|export]] an [[http://www.dxlabsuite.com/ADIF.htm|ADIF]] or tab-delimited file for use by another logging application === Logging, Displaying, Filtering, Sorting, and Modifying QSOs === * [[QSOCapture|Logging QSOs in real time with the Capture window]] * [[LogCompletedQSOs|Logging completed QSOs, e.g. from a paper logbook]] * [[QSODisplay|Displaying, Selecting, and Modifying QSOs]] * [[QSOFiltering| Filtering the Log Page Display]] * [[QSOSorting| Sorting the Log Page Display]] * [[LogPageDisplayConfiguration|Adding, Removing, Formatting, and Moving Columns in the Log Page Display]] * [[QSOModifying| Modifying QSOs en masse]] * [[SupportNewMode|Adding Support for a New Mode]] === Recording Specific Information === * [[CreateEntityOverride| Using Overrides to Deal with Ambiguous or Non-compliant Callsigns]] * [[RecordAudio| Recording Audio]] * [[LogTransceiverInfo|Logging Your Transceiver Information]] * [[DetermineStationLocation| Determining a Station's Location]] * [[CallbookLookup|Using Callbooks to Record Information About Your QSO Partner]] * [[PrimarySecondarySubdivisions|Logging Primary and Secondary Administrative Subdivisions]] * [[QSODistance| Computing each QSO's Distance]] * [[IdentifyLogClubMembers|Identifying and Logging QSOs with Club Members]] * [[User-DefinedItems|User Defined Items]] === QSLing === * [[QSLing|Getting Started with QSLing]] * [[HardcopyQSLing|QSLing via Cards and Labels]] * [[QSLingeQSL|QSLing via eQSL.cc]] * [[QSLingLotW|QSLing via LoTW]] * [[ClubLogUpload|Submitting QSOs to Club Log]] === Pursuing Awards === * [[AwardTracking|Getting Started with Award Tracking and Submission]] * [[QSOReporting|Generating Award Progress Reports]] * [[https://www.dxlabsuite.com/dxkeeper/Help/AwardInfo.htm|Award Progress Report Information Requirements]] * [[AwardProgressExcel|Loading a log's Realtime Award Progress into Microsoft Excel]] === Plotting Logged QSOs === * [[QSOPlotting| Plotting QSOs on DXView's World Map]] * [[QSOPlottingDXAtlas| Plotting QSOs on the DX Atlas World Map]] === Managing Multiple Callsigns, Roles, Locations, and Computers === * [[MultipleLogFiles| Operating with Multiple Callsigns or from Multiple Locations]] * [[ManageMultipleQTHs|Managing Multiple Operating Locations]] * [[MultipleLoggingRoles|Managing Multiple Logging Roles]] * [[LoggingFromMultipleComputers|Logging From More Than One Computer]] === Importing and Exporting QSOs === * [[SwitchingToDXKeeper|Switching to DXKeeper from Another Logging Application]] * [[QSOImport|Importing QSOs from an ADIF File]] * [[CorrectDXCCEntity|Correcting Logged DXCC Entities with "Fix" Scripts]] * [[http://www.dxlabsuite.com/dxkeeper/conversion.htm|Converting other log formats to ADIF]] * [[QSOExport|Exporting QSOs to an ADIF file]] === Contesting === * [[Contesting|Getting Started with Contesting]] * [[RecoverQSOPartyCounties|Recovering U.S. Counties from QSO Party exchanges logged by an Contest Logging application]] * [[ARRLFieldDay|Logging and Submitting ARRL Field Day QSOs]] === Recognizing and Repairing Broken and Duplicate QSOs === * [[BrokenQSOs|Recognizing Broken QSOs]] * [[RecoverQSOs|Recovering Deleted QSOs]] * [[RemovingDuplicates|Removing Duplicate QSOs from a Log]] === Error Messages === * [[RepairDAO360|Errorlog.txt file entry: Error in Loading DLL]] * [[DXKeeperMWinsck|Errorlog.txt file entry: Component MSWINSCK.OCX or one of its dependencies not correctly registered]] ---- [[DXLabDiscussionGroup|Post a question or suggestion on the DXLab Discussion Group]] [[QSLing|Getting Started with QSLing]] [[AwardTracking|Getting Started with Award Tracking]] [[GettingStarted|Getting Started with DXLab]]