Logbook

The logbook is the heart of HAM-Tools. Multi-log, persistent sub-tabs, all award workflows.

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

1. Top bar → click the log name → "Create New Log"
2. 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
3. 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	Contest
Log (QSO table)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Map (worldwide)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Bands (heatmap)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
DXClusters	✓	POTA feed	SOTA feed	WWFF filter	BOTA filter	LLOTA feed	filtered
Awards	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	—
Memories (sked list)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	—
History (QSO card chronicle)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	—
Program Map	—	POTA map	SOTA map	WWFF map	BOTA map	LLOTA 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 Log → program-specific form with ref auto-complete, activation counter (10 / 4 / 44 / 1 / 10 QSOs) and P2P/S2S/R2R/B2B/L2L 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 QRZ/HamQTH lookup starts. Name, QTH, locator, country, continent, CQ/ITU zone are filled in. Auto-retry runs at log time in case the first attempt came up empty.

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 module.
• 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 module.

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: creates a new log with all QSOs from the file
• 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 scheme HB9HJI@K-1234 20260518.adi. Shared with MacADIF in the ADIFCore.OutdoorExporter library. SOTA keeps its own CSV V2 path. Details: POTA module.

Auto-Upload to External Logbooks

New in 1.8.9

Club Log is live: in Settings → Lookup & Upload → Club Log enter your email + application password — all new QSOs are uploaded automatically in the background. The app API key is included; since Club Log's 2026 update you no longer have to request one yourself.

Further auto-uploads (as of 1.8.10):

• QRZ Logbook — enter the API key in the Lookup settings
• HamQTH Logbook — username + password
• LoTW and eQSL — via the regular ADIF export workflow
• pota.app and sotadata.org.uk — currently manual upload via browser; auto-upload is on the roadmap for Phase 6

Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut	Action
Cmd+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