Logbook
Controls and data from 1.54.0
Compact reduces the QSO entry area in standard logs. Additional fields and their values remain available in the full form. Extra info toggles the right information panel; Radio details remembers its expanded state.
State is stored separately from City/QTH. WAS uses validated US states from this field; existing city names are not automatically converted into states. ADIF preserves State separately. Opening a log automatically adds this optional field (schema 19); keeping a backup of .htlog files before updating remains advisable.
Stats uses the active log except for the explicitly global DXCC card. Year charts and year labels use UTC, and band names are normalized for grouping. History only shows QSOs with a valid locator within the selected time, mode and band filters.
Memories reports load and write errors. Editing is disabled after a load failure until the file can be read again; Reload retries. Failed saves retain input. When editing QSOs, image changes are applied only on Save.
Export hunter logs without an own reference as standard ADIF. Cabrillo warns about missing received exchanges before exporting; EDI warns when the selected band does not match all selected QSOs. These warnings do not replace a review of the contest submission.
Map view from 1.53.0
Under Logbook → DXClusters → Map, choose Classic or MapLibre · Prototype. In MapLibre, Basemap selects the offline world map or the street map. The latter loads tiles from OpenFreeMap and requires internet access, but no API key. Loading failures show the offline world map with Retry. Source attribution remains visible on the map.
QTH, world view, globe, time filter, grayline and CQ/ITU boundaries are available. Click a spot group to select a station; selection is shared with the classic view. Map clicks do not transmit or change the radio frequency. Locator grids, spotter lines and zone numbers currently remain in the classic view. Satellite imagery is not included.
The logbook is the heart of HAM-Tools. Multi-log, persistent sub-tabs, all award workflows.
Cluster and navigation from 1.52.0
The DXClusters tab contains node selection, radius filtering, follow-radio control, alert acknowledgement and spot statistics. See DX cluster. The former standalone module has been removed. Modules shows or hides shared module navigation.
The CAT display has more room for VHF frequencies. Clicking the QRZ photo opens a larger view sized to the available screen area.
Saving, tables and data exchange from 1.51
Sorting and filtering large logs and changing individual rows avoid unnecessary table rebuilds. Row numbers still refer to the chronology of the entire log. Report-only edits update the record and display without a full award recalculation.
After a successful save, the entry form resets or the edit dialog closes. If saving fails, input remains available for correction or retry. Newly created logs are remembered when switching between log types.
ADIF import offers new records only, all records, or a new log. Duplicate detection compares callsign, band and mode within an inclusive five-minute time window against the target log. Adding an existing .htlog file refreshes global awards immediately.
ADIF reimport also preserves exported solar values and own multi-SOTA references. For a complete backup including internal identifiers and status fields, keep the .htlog files as well; ADIF does not replace a full database backup.
Multi-Log
You can run any number of logbooks in parallel — for example:
- Lifetime Log (default log, collects all your QSOs for life)
- POTA Sessions (one per activated park)
- Contests (one per contest weekend)
Each log is its own .htlog file (SQLite) in the data folder. Default: ~/Documents/HAM-Tools/Logs/.
Create a Log
- Top bar → click the log name → "Create New Log"
- Choose a type:
- Standard Log for everyday DX operating
- Contest — opens the Contest Wizard
- POTA Session — opens the POTA Wizard
- SOTA Session — opens the SOTA Wizard
- WWFF Session — opens the WWFF Wizard
- BOTA Session — opens the BOTA Wizard
- LLOTA Session — opens the LLOTA Wizard
- WCA Session — opens the WCA Wizard
- GMA Session — opens the GMA Wizard
- Name + notes → Create
Switch Logs
Top bar → click the log name → popover with all open logs → click to switch. Sub-tab state (column widths, filters) is saved separately per log type.
Sub-Tabs
Below the QSO entry panel you'll find the tab bar with module-specific views. Which tabs are visible depends on the log type:
| Tab | Standard | POTA | SOTA | WWFF | BOTA | LLOTA | WCA | GMA | Contest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Log (QSO table) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Map (worldwide) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bands (heatmap) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| DXClusters | ✓ | POTA feed | SOTA feed | WWFF filter | BOTA filter | LLOTA feed | WCA filter | GMA feed | filtered |
| Awards | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Memories (sked list) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| History (QSO card chronicle) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Program Map | — | POTA map | SOTA map | WWFF map | BOTA map | LLOTA map | WCA map | GMA map | Contest map |
| Band Plan | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
TIP
The DXClusters tab is the default at app launch — right after opening you see the current spots and can log directly by double-clicking an interesting spot.
QSO Entry Panel
The form type automatically follows the log type:
- Standard Log → generic DX workflow (call, RST, name, locator)
- Contest Log → lean Contest entry with dynamic exchange fields
- POTA / SOTA / WWFF / BOTA / LLOTA / WCA / GMA Log → program-specific form with ref auto-complete, activation counter (10 / 4 / 44 / 1 / 10 / 50 / 4 QSOs) and P2P/S2S/R2R/B2B/L2L/C2C detection
Auto-Fill from DX Cluster
Double-clicking a spot in the DXClusters table or Cluster tab fills call + frequency + mode into the entry panel. If CAT is active, the radio also jumps to the frequency.
Auto-Fill from Callbook
As soon as you leave the call field (Tab or Enter), a callbook lookup starts. Name, QTH, locator, country, continent, CQ/ITU zone (and for US stations state/county) are filled in. Auto-retry runs at log time in case the first attempt came up empty.
Multi-service lookup engine (new in 1.30.0)
Three services are available: QRZ.com, HamQTH and Callook.info (free, FCC database, US callsigns only — needs no credentials). Under Settings → Lookup & Upload you pick the primary and optionally a secondary (fallback) that steps in when the primary returns no hit. The auto-suggest toggles control field by field what gets filled from the lookup (name, QTH, locator, country, DXCC, zones, state, county, …) — they apply everywhere: QSO form, contest, all outdoor programs and bulk lookup.
Live Markings per Spot & QSO
New in 1.8.9
- ATNO/NEW-BAND/NEW-MODE pill per spot in the DX cluster, live from your logged history — details see DX cluster.
- Band Plan live pill in the QSO status bar shows immediately while logging whether frequency + mode are IARU-R1 compliant (green in band, orange wrong subsegment, red outside band). Active in all six QSO forms — details see DX cluster.
Band Plan as Its Own Window (⌘⇧P)
New in 1.8.8
The band plan is no longer just a sub-tab — it also opens as its own window via ⌘⇧P or menu Window → Band Plan Window. Handy on a second monitor while logging.
Award Counter
In the top right of the logbook you'll see, in the Standard and POTA logs:
- DXCC: countries worked / confirmed (LoTW + eQSL)
- WAZ: CQ zones
- WAS: US states (counts only QSOs from the USA)
- QSOs: total count across all logs
In the Contest Log the counter switches to QSOs / Bands of the active contest log.
ADIF Import/Export
- Export ADIF: toolbar of the current log → exports all QSOs as ADIF 3.x
- Import ADIF: preview and choice of new QSOs only, all QSOs, or import into a new log
- Cabrillo Export: visible only for contest logs, pre-filled with all header fields from the wizard
- Multi-Ref Split (POTA / WWFF / BOTA): for an outdoor log with multiple references, the export writes one file per park/ref/bunker, each with a single
MY_SIG_INFO(upload platforms require it that way), using the filename schemeHB9HJI@K-1234 20260518.adi. Shared with MacADIF in theADIFCore.OutdoorExporterlibrary. SOTA keeps its own CSV V2 path. Details: POTA module.
Auto-Upload to External Logbooks
Six services upload new QSOs in real time once they are configured and enabled under Settings → Lookup & Upload:
- QRZ Logbook — enter the API key; includes confirmation sync
- Club Log — email + application password (the app API key is included)
- eQSL.cc — username + password, per-log nickname override
- LoTW — via the local
tqslbinary with a station location - Wavelog (new in 1.35) — instance URL + API key, "Test connection" loads the station profiles from the server; the only service that also transfers contest and outdoor QSOs
- HRDLOG.net (new in 1.46) — callsign + upload code; status column in the log, backfill older QSOs via right-click
The "Real-Time Upload" master switch pauses all services at once (travel mode). Each service has its own status column in the QSO table; existing QSOs can be batch-uploaded via right-click.
Still manual: pota.app and sotadata.org.uk — upload via browser; the programme exports are split accordingly.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Return | Log QSO |
Cmd+, | Settings |
Cmd+Shift+P | Open Band Plan window |
Cmd+Opt+U | Check for updates |
Cmd+Shift+B | Report Bug |
Tab | Next field |
Shift+Tab | Previous field |