Same here. KISS! (Keep it simple, stupid!)
73, Alfred, OE5AKM
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I use wooden pencils & a Rite-in-Rain notebook for field logging, then log them onto the computer using the G0LGS SOTA CSV Editor. From there they go to the SOTA DB & to DXKeeper.
73,
Rob - AE7AP
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I have used Outdlog on my iPhone for the last 60 or so activations. I keep a “Rite in the Rain” paper notebook with a Fisher Space Pen in the back pack just in case. I have never had to resort to it. I am usually able to upload my log into the Database after checking it before I get home.
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Always useful to have the info when operating from a portable location as quite often asked for it so I put together a simple portable log sheet. So pen & paper for me.
73 Chris M0RSF
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On my manual when the electronic gizzo packsaup log sheet I add a column called S2S. Put the other summit reference in there if it is a S2S.
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As others have written here, I don’t want to complicate things by using an electronic device for logging as there may be several unreliability issues with it, i.e water, too low temperatures, too much sun light, low battery, touch screen not working due to rain drops or hands wearing gloves…
Too many things to make it far much worse that writing on a paper.
I gave up using pens long time ago after finding in a summit at sub-zero temperatures that the ink had got too cold and the pen wasn’t writing. I only use pencils since then. They are 100% reliable at any temperature. I usually have 4 small wooden pencils in a small pocket of my rucksach and periodically sharpen them all at home to have them perfectly ready for action at any time.
Once at home, I handtype my paper log into the SAISIE SOTA program, which I use for logging SOTA either when chasing from home or when creating an activator log after an activation. It produces .csv and .adi files after clicking on the “SAVE” button. The .csv goes to the SOTA dabase and the .adi goes to my main logging program (Logger32).
I know the newsotadatabase allows uploading .adi files, but this is something I haven’t tried yet. What I have and do works fine and I don’t feel the need to try other methods. I’m usually like “if if works, don’t touch it”.
73,
Guru
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I agree with the José!!!
When I get home, I register in the database.
Simplicity is better!
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Dear friends,
once again thanks for all replies! I was quite active recently and have figured out what works best for me in the meantime. If you are interested please find a brief description of what my logging strategy for SOTA looks like on my personal ham radio blog.
73 de Alfred.
Since this thread is still a top Google search result for “SOTA logging”, I’d like to plug some newer tools:
- GitHub - on4kjm/FLEcli: Multi-platform "Fast Log Entry"(FLE) processing tool the FOSS command-line processor for the Fast Log Entry format; do your entries live-typed on your phone or transcribe from paper off the summit
- https://polo.ham2k.com/ for FOSS mobile logging (Android, iOS, and M-processor MacOS; Windows being planned for 2025, maybe) for a logger by portable operators for portable operators in a multitude of programs; an awesome array of features and it just keeps getting better
Both are also quite valuable when engaging in other portable operations that coincide with summits by supporting multiple exports using one file or operation-log.
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hi folks
there is another one, for Android.
tSotaLog is a simple FLOSS Ham Radio app specifically desgined to SOTA (Summit on the Air) QSOs. It is a fork from the more general TOTALOG which is designed to log for small contests and portable operation. (See impressum)
The Author is a Sota Activator
I use it on my phone for chasing from home.
73 de ruedi
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Looking at the posts above from 5 years ago I see a few people use pencils. I take with me a normal Zebra pen, a Rite-in-the-Rain pen and a pencil. I use the normal pen unless it’s too cold or damp when I use the Rite-in-the-Rain pen. I never use the pencil because its tip is always broken. How do you stop the pencil breaking?
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I use a pencil, and haven’t suffered with breakage.
Maybe take part worn pencils - if there is just 1mm or so of lead protruding from the woodwork, and with a rounded surface rather than a sharp point, its hard to see how it would break unless subject to considerable stress.
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Spares? I usually take 4 pencils and use decent quality ones as they withstand shocks better. I seem to recall Richard G3CWI recommending sharpening pencils at both ends, but I don’t as it is something else to get stabbed by. 
And why do I still log with pencil and paper? Well I am usually mentally blown out by the time I reach a summit and having something else that is technical to deal with in addition to the radio is just one step too far… especially in horizontal driving sleet or sub-zero temperatures. Phone / tablet / laptop logging would be fine on a bright warm sunny day, but I always seem to be doing other things on those days. Not sure why that happens… 
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Except you can’t see the screen because the sun is too bright.
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I take two in the SOTA bag, each sharpened at both ends. This gives some continuation in logging as you use the other end if it breaks. And as I have two with me I have another two tips if I break a second.
After a while the repeated shocks to a pencil causes the graphite core to fracture inside the wooden outer. Once you sharpen it an start using it, the pressure causes the fracture to become a full break and the tip falls out or snaps. If you sharpen it and breaks almost at once then this is the time to replace it.
In 2006 when I started SOTA I needed a pencil and could only find children’s coloured pencils so I bought a box of 36 cheap HB pencils from ASDA. The box is here on a shelf in the shack and there are 21 pencils inside. So 15 used in 18 years suggests I get about 15months life from a pencil before it starts breaking as soon as sharpened. ISTR it cost £1.99 for the box.
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My personal experience on 3 different Mobile phones over circa 300 activations suggests this isn’t a problem. Even activating mid summer on Crete or in Spain.
I sit so my body shades the screen (and the radio). In extreme circumstances I’ve even put up an umbrella as a sunshade, but that’s mostly for my head!
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Same.
Rhodia 193469C spiral bound notebook. About 1/2 used up at present.
and
Limitless Equipment Notepad - Spiral bound again. Waterproof paper and cheaper than Write In The Rain notebooks. Haven’t used it yet but am going to use it only for CW stuff.
rOtring 300 mechanical clutch pencil - HB lead with built in sharpener in the clicker mechanism.
2.0mm lead so it’s less prone to breakage, and a thicker, darker stroke on the paper.
and
Staedtler Technico. HB lead pack with eraser. Mechanical clutch pencil. Writes as well as the rOtring and a nice backup pencil. Built-in sharpener, like the rOtring.
Also have an overpriced Staedtler Mars Technico sharpener. Handy for point sizing nubs on the lid, plus it collects the dust nicely in the tub.
Handy to have. Works with the rOtring and the Staedtler HB leads. rOtring can use different lead refill sizes, the Staedtler is limited to HB (I think).
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The problems I have are basically threefold…
- I can’t see the device screen without glasses. But I can write big with my pencil if I have forgotten my glasses or they are wet/misted.
- I can’t make notes when tuning about. Often I’ll be tuning about and will jot down “A61AA 28.413” or such and can come back to them later.
- I can’t make notes when there are 3 or more CW stations calling, I write partial calls down and then try to winkle one of them out of the group. I have notes of who else was calling and can send “XY? kn” next to pull in someone who was standing by.
I’ve been a handheld gizmo owner/user for the last 40+ years including original Psion Organiser and the Organiser 2, assorted electronic notepads/diaries, Palm Pilot and 2x Handspring Neo and smart phones since 2002 (high end Nokias and then touch screen things). I had and used many devices over the years, lots and lots of money spent. And I still come back to pen and paper for logging in the field. It just seems too much like hard-work electronically logging in the field. YMMV
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I started on paper but I was only getting 3 QSOs per page due to my dreadful writing on cold windy hilltops …
So I wrote my own logging app for Android because I never got comfortable with other peoples’ designs (I know …)
So the advantages
- It works out my summit from GPS
- It reads the frequency and mode from the radio in real time via BT (for FT-817+adapter, or IC-705)
- It has a list of my previous SOTA contacts so it can prompt from a partial call
- It downloads the spots list, and clicking on one pre-fills the QSO page and also goes to that frequency/mode on the radio
- It syncs to my PC log when I get home
Rick
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I bought a few Pentel mechanical pencils as well as the Rolls Royce of their range, the GraphGear 1000 Expert. The GraphGear 1000 is a joy to use (and I found it much cheaper than the price listed on the website). With a 0.9mm lead size, all work very well on weatherproof paper and are big improvement over pens or wood pencils.
I always care an Ikea pencil as a spare in my SOTA first aid radio kit 
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