Uploaded May 2020 | Updated September 2026, 13 minutes ago
This guide is directed at my new hams out there, or ones that are just now getting into award chasing and using those platforms that offer awards.
QSL cards and using Logging programs will be separate videos down the road, so this is a broad overview on getting started.
There are a few things that a log should consist of which include the UTC time of the contact, Freq, mode, grid location (or QTH), power used, Signal Reports, Date, and names.
This log can be analog, or paper, or it can be digital, whatever works best for you.
There are many logging applications out there these days, so it's a good idea to use a few to see which one fits your need.
I use DXKeeper for example, which allows me to export different log files to the web services I use for online logbooks and awards.
Logging your contacts is a long term tradition of ham radio operators and an important aspect of the hobby.
I remember all of the information was a bit daunting to me at first so I wanted to make this video
Websites mentioned in the video:
qrz.com
lotw.arrl.org
Get started with LoTW:
lotw.arrl.org/lotw-help/getting-started/?lang=en
If you like this content, make sure you hit the subscribe button, and the notification bell, so you will see my future videos. Uploads will go up on Monday and Fridays at 14:00 eastern time, and a live-stream will be held Sunday evenings.
Follow me on Twitter:
twitter.com/HamModern
Follow my Instagram:
instagram.com/modernham
Make sure to check out my blog, and shop over at:
themodernham.com .
⚡ Join the ModernHams Discord: ⚡
discord.gg/EbP9dTMrTU
➡️Join this channel to get access to perks⬅️
youtube.com/channel/UCOe0_RzGUDm73XNtRozPfMw/join
This guide is directed at my new hams out there, or ones that are just now getting into award chasing and using those platforms that offer awards.
QSL cards and using Logging programs will be separate videos down the road, so this is a broad overview on getting started.
There are a few things that a log should consist of which include the UTC time of the contact, Freq, mode, grid location (or QTH), power used, Signal Reports, Date, and names.
This log can be analog, or paper, or it can be digital, whatever works best for you.
There are many logging applications out there these days, so it's a good idea to use a few to see which one fits your need.
I use DXKeeper for example, which allows me to export different log files to the web services I use for online logbooks and awards.
Logging your contacts is a long term tradition of ham radio operators and an important aspect of the hobby.
I remember all of the information was a bit daunting to me at first so I wanted to make this video
Websites mentioned in the video:
qrz.com
lotw.arrl.org
Get started with LoTW:
lotw.arrl.org/lotw-help/getting-started/?lang=en
If you like this content, make sure you hit the subscribe button, and the notification bell, so you will see my future videos. Uploads will go up on Monday and Fridays at 14:00 eastern time, and a live-stream will be held Sunday evenings.
Follow me on Twitter:
twitter.com/HamModern
Follow my Instagram:
instagram.com/modernham
Make sure to check out my blog, and shop over at:
themodernham.com .
⚡ Join the ModernHams Discord: ⚡
discord.gg/EbP9dTMrTU
➡️Join this channel to get access to perks⬅️
youtube.com/channel/UCOe0_RzGUDm73XNtRozPfMw/join
