Logging

Logging is the act of saving data related to QSOs and Amateur Radio operation, it's an important topic, especially for Contests and HF Operation.

Logs can be kept in any media for the storage of information, including books, digital notes, flat file databases, and relational databases, they can also be online such as the QRZ.com Log or ARRL LoTW.

In some situations, bands and countries, logging is mandated, but can sometimes be optional, it is always reccomended though.

Why keep a Log?

Logging can be traced all the way back to the early days of radio, it can be helpful to know how many QSOs you've made and where, what powers and modes you were running, and many more, for example if you make a new DX contact you can compare that DX to previous DX's in your log.

In addition to information relating to QSOs, the log should also include the dates and times you started and stopped operation, in case of an allegation of QRM resulting from your operation, another important reason for keeping a log.

Some online logging services such as LoTW, QRZ and *OTA also include awards.

Logging Stationary/Software

There are many many many things out there which can be used for logging, pretty much anything capable of holding data or written word, the most simplest is a pen/pencil and pad, and many operators use these, even a typewriter with a tabulator function may be used.

Dedicated Logging Software also exists, often built on a database back end, these have the ability to automatically log QSOs without the need to manually type in the information via a PC-Transceiver communication standard such as CAT.

Any Notepad software such as Windows Notepad or Notepad++ can be used, either as plain text, CSV or TSV.

If you are comfortable working with relational databases, software like MS Access, it's free alternative Open/LibreOffice Base or any DBMS (relational or flat depending on your needs) most dedicated logging software use SQL for the backend [need citation, some on discord told me that :)]

Finally, spreadsheet software may be used.

For mobile use, both Android and iOS include a notes app, but third party data management apps such as Memento DB may be used.

In addition to local logs, online logs also exist, such as QRZ.com (included with your callsign page), ARRL LoTW (Logbook of The World) and a few others, these logs are public for other operators to see, and can also offer awards and verified contacts.

QSL Cards

Logging is similar and related to but not exactly the same as QSL cards, a practice also dating to the early days of radio where stations exchange postcards with callsigns on them to verify contacts.