Why are there two versions? The short answer is the latest versions of my software are brand new, better, networkable, have additional features and represent the future of N3FJP Software. They are also complete rewrites of the older VB6 versions.

As of January 2014, all of the the new programs for the ARRL, CQ and NCJ contests, rewritten in C#.NET, have been used for at least one contest with good success. I am adding rewrites for the state QSO parties and other contests now. For the remaining programs in the rewrite pipeline, their introduction will be their first contest specific use, so it is always possible that a contest specific scoring bug may remain to be found and I want you to have the option of using the tried and true, VB6 version if you prefer.

The new versions require Windows XP with Service Pack 3 or later. If you have an older operating system or, for RTTY contests, if you plan to interface with K7RE RTTY (which no longer seems to be available for download), you must use the VB6 version. More details below.

You'll find all the old archived VB6 versions here.

For the longer (but still condensed) answer...

N3FJP software, originally written in VB6, has been going strong since 1997. As operating systems have evolved, Microsoft dropped support for VB6, in favor of their newer .NET framework. While all my VB6 software currently runs on all flavors of Windows from Win 95 through Win 8, there is no certainty that VB6 programs will continue to run on future operating systems.

To ensure our logging programs will continue to run well into the future, I'm in the process of rewriting the software in C#.NET. From March of 2012 through January, 2013, I completed the C# template that is the basis for all the individual programs, and AC Log too. Since then, I've been converting the template to the contest specific programs. This is a big job at two weeks per program on average and about 50 programs to rewrite!

The template was beta tested extensively by volunteers and the new major contest rewrites have all been used in actual contests with good results, so all is going well. That said, as each new contesting program is released, until it is used in an actual contest, it is possible that a contest specific scoring bug may come to light (though, knock on wood, none have yet).

Since the new C# rewrites are still being introduced and because they require Windows XP with Service Pack 3 or later operating systems, I've decided to keep the tried and true, VB6 versions of the software on the web site. The rewrites have just about all the features of the old VB6 programs (they are all networkable), and lots of new ones, such as better display on modern monitors, post contest statistics and many others, too numerous to list here, that you'll discover as you explore the menu options.

The new rewrites are free to registered users. Just enter the password we sent you. Of course, all my software, old and new, is included in the low package price that will save you lots!

For my programs that support RTTY contests, if you plan to interface with K7RE RTTY (which no longer seems to be available for download), you must use the older, VB6 version. C#.NET no longer supports the communication protocols we used in VB6 that allow the programs to talk to each other. If you would like to help make K7RE RTTY compatible with the new, C# versions of my software, please contact Brian, K7RE here: briank7re@gmail.com. Brian would love to hear from you and really appreciate your help!

Thanks for your interest in the continuing evolution of N3FJP Software!

73, Scott - N3FJP