When I’m not enjoying a little repartee concerning ISO paper sizes, I like to indulge in the weekly shop (these days you’ve got to take your kicks where you can get them). Two own-brand Pentel clones cost me a quid, plus another pound for an own-brand A6 notepad. I’ll see how I get on with that.
I used to carry both waterproof and non-waterproof log sheets back int’ day. As I recall I only every really used the waterproof ones when I had forgotten to to print more standard ones/left them at home etc.
I use A4 Rite in the Rain paper, excellent in the wet but so long since I bought a box I can’t remember where from/how much. Mine is a fetching shade of green I suspect it was a military supplier…
Nice find - UKL 5.25 for 10 sheets to try it out - the only problem is the UKL 8.39 shipping charges. I’d need to find a source here in Germany I think. Unfortunately, I’d need a laser printer to use this paper as it specifically states NOT FOR INKJET PRINTERS. I used to have a laser printer but it’s long gone, so I guess the search goes on.
I guess it makes sense that the paper sees the ink as a fluid and rejects it. the same as it does rain.
For the last 20 years I’ve not needed a printer at home, I’ve had access to various mono and colour printers now with a fantastic A3 colour sat in the office. This printer was a replacement for the old A3 colour laser and was delivered the week after our office started its lockdown It has printed a few test pages, that’s all! So I now need to buy my own colour laser and it’s a nightmare trying to find which one to buy as you try and figure out which has the best running costs etc. Some must use toner made from material more costly per gm than Gold or Platinum!
Just about ready to take my old HP (used to be) colour laser printer to the tip; cost of new cartridges that work is greater than the cost of a new printer (of some other make). For now it’s limping on in monochrome mode…
Inkjet, by essence, is not appropriate for water resistant paper. The ink is water based, doesn’t stick and is washed away with water. Laserjet cooks the powder on the paper and is thus the recommended technique.
Another way to do it, is to use simple lined (or blank) paper with the “Fast Log Entry” shorthand notation. This is what I use as a backup when conditions are poor and can’t use my mobile phone. (where I use also the FLE format, by the way).
As I activate also WWFF (which takes longer generally), when going analog, I use a Rite In The Rain pocket size notebook so that a couple of drops or a water puddle don’t destroy my notes/logbook.
Another way to do it, is to use simple lined (or blank) paper with the “Fast Log Entry” shorthand notation. This is what I use as a backup when conditions are poor and can’t use my mobile phone. (where I use also the FLE format, by the way).
This looks interesting. Is there an established shorthand for when logging on paper, or have you devised your own? Do you find using FLE quicker than entering the same data into the SOTA database?
He probably mean that he does not write (on paper) a complete log line for each QSO, but uses the FLE syntax…
Not a bad idea !
I will try this next time i’m on a summit.
I can recommend Zecom waterproof paper, available at A4 Zecom® Blank Laser Printable Waterproof Paper – WeatherWriter and elsewhere. In common with other products it is only suitable for laser printers (inkjet ink just washes off). It is totally waterproof and almost indestructible.
I have seen inkjet-friendly waterproof paper advertised, but never tried it. It was much more expensive than Zecom.
Exactly what I meant.
I apologise for the confusion.
I normally use this “shorthand” format on my mobile phone with a note keeping app that automatically synchronises on multiple devices via the cloud. As an Android user, Google Keep is a very good choice.
It is very simple and economical in keystrokes, as you only input the necessary info (a lot is implied).
And you just paste it in Fast Log Entry (or use my conversion tool), and you immediately have a properly formatted CSV or ADIF file
Although requiring more post processing, the “analog” logging on free paper with a pencil is very robust and “field failure” proof, if care is taken to write the calls legibly. Thus a good backup solution.
This is an example of an electronic “log” stored via Keep. (reports are 599 by default. “5” is translated to 559 for example.)
It has printed a few test pages, that’s all! So I now need to buy my own colour laser and it’s a nightmare trying to find which one to buy as you try and figure out which has the best running costs etc. Some must use toner made from material more costly per gm than Gold or Platinum!
