So ive been running WSJT-X for FT8 for about a year now and just logging everything to the built-in ADIF file and manually importing to my shack log every few weeks which is obviously a terrible way to do things. finally decided to actually set up proper logging software that talks to WSJT-X in real time.

the two i keep seeing recommended are N1MM Logger+ and Log4OM. from what i can tell N1MM is really geared toward contest ops and Log4OM is more of an everyday general logger but supposedly both can interface with WSJT-X over UDP. my question is which one actually works better in practice for someone who does a mix of things — some FT8, occasional SSB contests like sweepstakes and field day, and general rag chewing when the bands cooperate.

i dont really need the full N1MM contest powerhouse stuff but i also dont want something that falls apart when i actually sit down for a contest. heard Log4OM can do contest logging but also heard its kind of an afterthought in that software. anyone actually use both and have an opinion that isnt just "well i use X so X is the best"

honestly i went through this exact same thing last year. i tried Log4OM for a while and the WSJT-X UDP integration works fine, like QSOs just show up in real time no issues. but when i tried to use it for SS i found the contest mode clunky enough that i just gave up and fired up N1MM anyway. so now i run both — Log4OM as my main shack log and N1MM only when im actually contesting, then import the ADIF from N1MM into Log4OM afterward. not the most elegant setup but it works and ive stopped fighting it.

the UDP thing is actually pretty slick once you get it configured right, WSJT-X just broadcasts on port 2237 by default and most loggers can listen on that. Log4OM picks it up no problem. N1MM also does it but you have to tell it to accept UDP from WSJT-X specifically in the config, theres a checkbox somewhere in the network settings.

i just use N1MM for everything including the FT8 logging and it works fine tbh. yeah its overkill for casual operating but once you learn where everything is its not that complicated. the WSJT-X integration logs automatically and you can set it up to dupe check against your running log which is actually really handy even outside of contests.

Log4OM looks nicer and has that club log integration built in which is nice if you care about that. but for sweepstakes specifically id really stick with N1MM, the multiplier tracking and the way it handles the exchange is just dialed in perfectly for that contest. trying to do SS in anything else always feels like fighting the software.