I'm making this article for anyone that is interested of participating in the Illinois QSO party and have the need of good logging software.

The goal of this article is to help you setup n1mm for the QSO party, not to make you familiar with all of the options and configurations in N1MM . 

Lets  start by  download the following 4 files from http://www.n1mm.com/

>> Files >> Full Install : N1MM-FullInstaller.exe
>> Files >> Latest Updates : the latest update file N1mm-newexeV...exe
>> Files >>  Documentation Downloads : N1MMLogger Getting Started ...pdf (very helpful)
>> Files >> Documentation Downloads : N1MMLogger Documentation ...pdf (for your reference)

1. Run N1MM-FullInstaller.exe.
If installing under 64-bit Windows, uncheck the DLPORTIO port driver box. If asked, DON'T OVERWRITE newer system files.

2. Run N1MM-newexeV...exe (the latest update file)

3. Double-click the N1MM logger program shortcut.

4. Select Config | Change Your Station Data

Fill in the "Edit Station Information" box as best you can and blank out anything you don't know. Be sure to fill in at least Call and ARRL Section. The ARRL Section is used to determine whether you are in-state or out-of-state.

5. Open up the following additional windows from the Window option. You might have to slide the windows around because some will appear underneath others. Position and resize them on the screen as you like.

Window | Entry Window (already open)
Window | Available Mults and Qs
Window | Check
Window | Log
Window | Multipliers (Note: after the window is open, select Sect or Other as appropriate)
Window | Score Summary

6. Create a log file for the ILQP as follows:

A. File >> New Log in Database

B. Log Type : QSOPARTY
C. Start Date:2011-10-16

D. State for Log Type: IL

E. Click on 'Import Section List'
F. Sent Exchange: your IL county code for in-state, your state or province for out-of-state. Don't put in a signal report. The signal report will be added automatically.
G. Operators: List all operators (you can edit this later if necessary)
H. Fill in the remaining fields to most closely match your entry category. You won't find the exact ILQP categories, but that's OK for now.
I. Click OK, read the change info, and click OK. You're now ready to start logging.

Note: You can do all this for practice and even practice logging. Just repeat the above steps to create a new log for the real event.

7. Logging instructions

A. Set your frequency by either clicking on the Available Mults and Qs buttons -or- by entering the frequency in kHz in the main entry window. You don't have to enter the exact frequency. For example, for 20CW you could enter 14000. For 20SSB you could enter 14200.

B. Set your mode by entering SSB, CW, FM, RTTY, etc in the main entry window (where you would normally type a call sign). The mode should change in the blue header bar.

Note: Be sure you keep your mode and frequency current so your log reflects where you are actually operating.

C. Type in a call sign, press space bar, and type in the QTH. You can see the valid abbreviations in the Multipliers window by selecting Sect or Other.

A big red DUPE will appear next to the exchange if you've worked the station before. The DUPE will go away if the station has changed counties and you type in the new county. Log all mobile stations as /M. If it's a good contact, click Log It or press <Enter> to put it in the log.

D. The Wipe button (or <Alt+W>) clears all fields if you don't want to log the contact.

E. To edit a call, double-click the call in the log. When finished, press <Enter>.

F. To delete a contact, right-click the contact and select Delete Contact.

8. When the QSO Party is finished, >> File >> Generate Cabrillo File.

Your file should be named YOURCALL.LOG which is the default.

Change the category to an appropriate category per the rules for the  Illinois QSO Party  ( http://www.w9awe.org/ILQP%202011%20Rules.pdf )

Submit your log file by email as attachment to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

9. To exit N1MM Logger, File >> Exit from the logging window.