NetLogger Resources

This guide covers downloading and installing NetLogger on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The official NetLogger download page currently lists NetLogger v3.1.7 as the current release.

Official Download Page

Use the official download page:

https://netlogger.org/download.php

On the download page:

1. Open the NetLogger download page.
2. Find Select Your Version.
3. Choose the version for your operating system.
4. Enter your name or callsign.
5. Enter your email address.
6. Click Download!.
7. Save the installer file somewhere easy to find, such as Downloads.

Available v3.1.7 download choices listed on the official page:

1. NetLogger_3.1.7_Windows_x86.msi for Windows 7 or later, 32/64-bit.
2. NetLogger_3.1.7_MacOSX_x64.dmg for macOS 10.7 or later, 64-bit.
3. NetLogger_3.1.7_Linux_x64.tgz for Linux, 64-bit tar archive.
4. netlogger_3.1.7_amd64.deb for Debian-based Linux, 64-bit.

Install on Windows

1. Download the Windows version from the official download page.
2. Open your Downloads folder.
3. Double-click NetLogger_3.1.7_Windows_x86.msi.
4. If Windows asks whether to allow the installer to make changes, choose Yes.
5. Follow the installer prompts.
6. Accept the default install location unless you have a reason to change it.
7. Finish the installer.
8. Open NetLogger from the Start menu or desktop shortcut, if one was created.
9. On first launch, confirm your operator/callsign setup before using NetLogger on a net.

Install on macOS

1. Download the macOS version from the official download page.
2. Open your Downloads folder.
3. Double-click NetLogger_3.1.7_MacOSX_x64.dmg.
4. A NetLogger disk image window should open.
5. Drag NetLogger.app to the Applications folder.
6. Open the Applications folder.
7. Double-click NetLogger.
8. If macOS warns that the app was downloaded from the internet, choose Open if you trust the official NetLogger download.
9. If macOS blocks the app, right-click or control-click NetLogger, choose Open, then confirm.
10. On first launch, confirm your operator/callsign setup before using NetLogger on a net.

Install on Linux: Debian, Ubuntu, or Linux Mint

For Debian-based systems such as Debian, Ubuntu, and Linux Mint, the NetLogger download page recommends the Debian package because it is easier and integrates better with the desktop environment.

1. Download netlogger_3.1.7_amd64.deb from the official download page.
2. Open your file manager.
3. Go to your Downloads folder.
4. Double-click netlogger_3.1.7_amd64.deb.
5. Follow your system’s package installer prompts.
6. If asked for your password, enter your Linux account password.
7. After installation, open NetLogger from your application menu.
8. On first launch, confirm your operator/callsign setup before using NetLogger on a net.

If double-clicking the package does not work, use a terminal:

cd ~/Downloads
sudo apt install ./netlogger_3.1.7_amd64.deb

Install on Linux: Tar Archive

Use the tar archive if you are not using a Debian-based system, or if the Debian package does not work for your Linux distribution.

1. Download NetLogger_3.1.7_Linux_x64.tgz from the official download page.
2. Open a terminal.
3. Go to the folder where you downloaded the file:

cd ~/Downloads

4. Unpack the outer archive:

tar -xzf NetLogger_3.1.7_Linux_x64.tgz

5. Run the installer script:

./install

6. When asked for the NetLogger install directory, enter a directory that does not already exist, but whose parent directory does exist. A common system-wide choice is:

/usr/local/share/netlogger

7. If installing under /usr/local/share, run the installer as root:

sudo ./install

8. When asked for the shell script install location, enter an existing directory that is in your command path. A common choice is:

/usr/local/bin

9. After the installer completes, start NetLogger by typing:

netlogger

10. If /usr/local/bin is not in your path, start NetLogger using the full path to the installed shell script.
11. On first launch, confirm your operator/callsign setup before using NetLogger on a net.

Linux Tar Archive Notes

The tar archive installer creates:

1. A NetLogger application directory, such as /usr/local/share/netlogger.
2. A custom netlogger launch script in the script location you choose, such as /usr/local/bin.

Use the generated launch script to start NetLogger. It sets the library and plugin paths that NetLogger needs.

Uninstall from Linux Tar Archive

If you installed with the tar archive, remove both the application directory and the launch script.

Example:

sudo rm -r /usr/local/share/netlogger
sudo rm /usr/local/bin/netlogger

Use the actual paths you chose during installation.

After Installation

1. Open NetLogger.
2. Enter or confirm your callsign/operator information.
3. Open Help > Contents for the built-in NetLogger manual.
4. If you plan to use LoTW support, read the LoTW Setup Overview in the Help documentation before logging contacts you want to upload.
5. Keep the installer file only if you want a local backup copy.

Support and References

• Official NetLogger site: https://www.netlogger.org/
• NetLogger download page: https://netlogger.org/download.php
• NetLogger release notes: https://www.netlogger.org/Release_Notes.html
• NetLogger support: https://support.netlogger.org/
• NetLogger forum: https://forum.netlogger.org/

This guide is based on the NetLogger v3.1.7 built-in Help pages for creating a net, entering check-ins, using Almost Instant Messages, viewing monitors, co-logging, closing a net, and saving check-ins.

Before You Start

1. Open NetLogger.
2. Confirm your operator/callsign information is set correctly.
3. If you are logging for an organized club net, make sure you are authorized and trained to create or log that net.
4. If your club provides official NetLogger net entries, go to Setup > Club Nets, enable the club list, and use the official entry when creating the net.

Create the Net

1. In the main NetLogger window, make sure you are in Standalone mode.
2. In the Net Status and Control section near the top of the window, click the large blue Create Net button.
3. In the Create Net dialog, enter or confirm:

• Net Name: Type the net name, choose a saved net, or choose an official club net from the list.
• Server Cluster: Usually choose one of the NETLOGGER clusters unless your club instructs otherwise.
• Net Password and Verify Password: Enter the same password in both fields. This is required and can be used for recovery or shared logging.
• Net Control: Optional. Enter the NCS callsign/name if known.
• Frequency: Enter the net frequency, normally in MHz, such as 7.190.
• Mode: Choose the mode, such as SSB, FM, or another appropriate mode.
• Band: Choose the matching band, such as 40m, 20m, or 2m.

1. Review the dialog carefully.
2. Click OK to create the net.

Run the Net and Enter Check-ins

1. As stations check in over the air, select the next row in the Check-ins table.
2. Type the station callsign in the Call Sign field.
3. Press Enter to move to the next row, or press Tab to move to the next field in the same row.
4. If profile or callbook lookup is enabled, NetLogger will fill in related station information after you press Enter or Tab.
5. Add or correct details such as name, state, member ID, comments, mobile/portable status, or other fields as needed.
6. For mobile or portable stations, you can type /M or /P after the callsign. NetLogger removes the suffix and updates the M/P column.
7. Keep check-ins in the order stations are recognized so the NCS can work the list in order.
8. If you need to update a check-in later, click the row and edit the appropriate field.

Use the Monitors Window During the Net

The Monitors window shows who is connected to the net in NetLogger. It is useful for seeing who is watching the net, who has checked in, who has checked out, and whether another operator is available to help with logging.

1. In the row of large blue buttons near the top of the net window, click View Monitors.
2. The Net Monitors window will open and show the stations currently monitoring the net.
3. Use the station list to confirm who is online, what NetLogger client/version they are using, and their current monitor status.
4. Watch the status column:

• Lurking: The station is online but their callsign is not currently in the Check-ins table. They may be waiting to check in, watching only, or participating through AIM.
• Checked In: The station’s callsign is in the Check-ins table and they have not been marked checked out.
• Checked Out: The station is in the Check-ins table but has been marked checked out.

1. Use the online count at the top of the Monitors window to see how many stations are currently connected.
2. Turn on View Offline Entries if you need to see stations that monitored the net earlier but have since gone offline.
3. Resize or move the Monitors window as needed. NetLogger remembers its last size and position.

Practical uses during a net:

1. Before calling for check-ins, glance at the Monitors window to see who is already connected.
2. If a station says they are monitoring but not checked in, look for them as Lurking, then add them to the Check-ins table when appropriate.
3. If the NCS asks whether a station is still present, check whether they are online and whether their status is Checked In, Checked Out, or offline.
4. If another operator needs to take over or help with logging, use the Monitors window to find their callsign before promoting them.
5. If AIM messages or monitor announcements are enabled, use the Monitors window together with the AIM window to understand who joined, left, or may need attention.

Use AIM During the Net

In NetLogger, AIM means Almost Instant Messages. It is NetLogger’s built-in message window for communicating with everyone who is monitoring or logging the same net. It is useful for coordination, short updates, links, and side information that does not need to go over the air.

Important: AIM is not truly instant. NetLogger checks the server for new messages about every 20 seconds, so a message may take up to about 20 seconds to appear.

1. Click the AIM Window button near the top of the net window. It is the third large blue button from the left in the Net Status and Control section.
2. Read received messages in the AIM window.
3. To send a message, click the input box at the bottom of the AIM window.
4. Type your message.
5. Press Return or Enter on your keyboard to send it to everyone monitoring the net.
6. If you paste a web link into an AIM message, NetLogger will automatically turn it into a clickable link.

Helpful things to use AIM for during a net:

1. Let monitors know when the net is starting, pausing, moving frequency, or closing.
2. Coordinate with another logger or backup operator without interrupting the net audio.
3. Share useful links, club information, or net-related notes.
4. Tell monitors if the net will be closing automatically after a short timeout.
5. Watch for status messages, such as monitoring/logging changes and stations coming online or going offline.

AIM message colors can help you read the window:

1. Most messages appear in white text.
2. Messages from the NCS appear in teal if the NCS callsign has been entered in the NCS field.
3. Messages from you appear in light orange.
4. Status messages, such as monitor online/offline changes, appear in cyan.

If the AIM window is too busy:

1. Open the Monitors window with View Monitors.
2. Click the row for the station whose messages you want to hide.
3. Choose AIM Ignore.
4. To receive messages from that station again, click the station’s row and choose AIM Unignore.

If you have logging privileges, you may also see AIM Group Ignore. This causes messages from that station to be hidden for everyone in the net. Use that only in serious situations and, when possible, only after the NCS has approved it. There is no group-wide undo; each person would have to unignore the station individually.

You can control whether AIM announces when stations start or stop monitoring the net by going to Edit > Preferences, then using the Announce Monitors option in the IM section.

Promote Another Operator from the Monitors Window

NetLogger allows more than one station to have logging privileges. This is useful if you need backup, need to hand off logging, or need to recover from a problem without closing the net.

1. Confirm the other operator is already monitoring the net.
2. Open the Monitors window with View Monitors.
3. Click the row for the station you want to promote.
4. Choose Promote Logger.
5. Tell the operator to watch for their Start Logging button to turn green.
6. Once their Start Logging button is green, they can click it and begin logging without entering the net password.

Promotion may take up to about 20 seconds because of the server polling interval. If you promote someone, make sure they understand whether they are helping temporarily or taking responsibility for closing the net.

To remove logging privileges from another logging station, click their row in the Monitors window and choose Demote Logger. Use this carefully, because a promoted logger has the same logging privileges as any other logger.

Save the Check-ins During or After the Net

Saving the check-ins creates a local file that can be used for backup, record keeping, or reloading into NetLogger later.

1. Go to File > Save Check-ins As the first time you save the net log.
2. Choose the folder and file name where you want to save the check-ins.
3. Click Save.
4. After that first save, use File > Save Check-ins to save updates to the same file.
5. Use Save Check-ins As again if you want to save a separate copy or choose a different location.

Important: Save Check-ins overwrites the previously selected file. Use Save Check-ins As if you want a separate backup copy.

Close the Net

1. When the net is complete, make sure the check-in list is current.
2. Save the check-ins one more time using File > Save Check-ins.
3. Click the large blue Close Net button near the top of the net window.
4. NetLogger will close the net and return you and monitoring stations to standalone state.
5. If you want NetLogger to ask for confirmation before closing a net, enable it in Edit > Preferences, then turn on the Are You Sure Prompt - Close Net option.

If You Close the Net by Mistake

1. Do not exit NetLogger.
2. Save the check-ins immediately using File > Save Check-ins As.
3. Click Create Net again to restart the net.
4. NetLogger should send the local check-in data back to the server when the net is recreated.

If You Need to Leave Before the Net Ends

Choose one of these options:

1. Transfer logging responsibility to another operator and make sure they understand they are responsible for closing the net.
2. If appropriate, allow the server to close the net automatically after no stations remain in logging mode.
3. If using automatic closure, set the timeout to a short value, such as 5 to 15 minutes, and tell participants in AIM that the net will close automatically.

Useful References

• Official NetLogger site: https://www.netlogger.org/
• NetLogger download page: https://netlogger.org/download.php
• NetLogger user tips PDF: https://netlogger.org/downloads/NetLogger%20TIPS.pdf
• Relevant video companion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HPIncLeueE
• YouTube search for additional NetLogger tutorials:

Video note: the linked video appeared in current YouTube results as NetLogger - Easily Run A Net | Ham Nuggets Live!. Review it before distributing the guide to confirm it matches the version and workflow your users will see.