Skip to content

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:
  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:

TabStandardPOTASOTAWWFFBOTALLOTAWCAGMAContest
Log (QSO table)
Map (worldwide)
Bands (heatmap)
DXClustersPOTA feedSOTA feedWWFF filterBOTA filterLLOTA feedWCA filterGMA feedfiltered
Awards
Memories (sked list)
History (QSO card chronicle)
Program MapPOTA mapSOTA mapWWFF mapBOTA mapLLOTA mapWCA mapGMA mapContest 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 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 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

Five 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 tqsl binary 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

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

ShortcutAction
Cmd+ReturnLog QSO
Cmd+,Settings
Cmd+Shift+POpen Band Plan window
Cmd+Opt+UCheck for updates
Cmd+Shift+BReport Bug
TabNext field
Shift+TabPrevious field

HAM-Tools © HB9HJI · Funkwelt