What is the log book for?

Ask an Elmer
1

What is the logbook for? And why do I want it?

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Hi @KK7OQP

We use logbook to save our contacts. They are saved with the callsign, time, date, mode, etc.

Alfredo WP3C

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Hi Michael, welcome!! The logbook is for logging your contacts you make on ham radio. It’s a great way to track your progress int he hobby.

We’ll be making some video guides shortly about how to use it so you can learn it more!

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I’m in the exact same place. I’ve spoken with others on repeaters… should I have been logging those? What is a RST and a Qth?

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Yes - you can 100% log those repeater contacts! RST is a signal report. The first number is for Readability on a scale of 1 to 5, the second is for Signal Strength on a scale of 1 to 9. Signal reports aren’t used on repeater contacts, they are more used for HF contacts. So you can just leave the default of “59”

Normally on HF, people will say “59” to mean “Perfectly Readable” and “Extremely strong signals.” But they could say 48 if it wasn’t quite as strong/readable, for example.

Readability 1 – Unreadable 2 – Barely readable, occasional words distinguishable. 3 – Readable with considerable difficulty. 4 – Readable with practically no difficulty. 5 – Perfectly readable.

Signal Strength 1- Faint signals, barely perceptible. 2- Very weak signals. 3- Weak signals. 4- Fair signals. 5- Fairly good signals. 6- Good signals. 7- Moderately strong signals. 8- Strong signals. 9- Extremely strong signals.

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Well, I guess now I can start using that log book subscription! Hahaha… I didn’t think I had anything to log yet since I can’t yet access anything but the 70cm and 2m bands with my HTs!

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Yeah - throw them in the log!! :raised_hands:

Congrats on the great start in amateur radio!!

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The 70cm band here in Las Vegas is amazing. I haven’t had much luck on the 2m band with making contacts. I can hear them but they can’t hear me. Might be my programming is wrong for the repeaters but anyway, I’ve had good success with an HT. People usually report good audio and signal as well!

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