Master Callsign Databases

These master callsign databases are in K1EA .DTA format and were generated from actual contest logs.  The files have been broken down in different ways to decrease search time required by the logging software.

There is one file to download. This file contains all of the databases. They are named master.dta, masterdx.dta, masterw.dta and masusve.dta. Note that for some logging programs it may be necessary to rename the database to master.dta. However, with others like NA, you can leave the unique file names and select the database from within NA.

The intended use of the files:

MASTER.DTA with both US and DX callsigns.
For use by DX stations in CQWW, WAE, and everyone in IARU and WPX. There are over 26,000 callsigns. (This is down almost 1,000 callsigns from last year.)

MASTERDX.DTA with only DX callsigns, VE and US possessions (KH2, KP2, etc. - no USA).
For use by stateside stations in CQWW and ARRL DX. There are over 16,000 callsigns. (This is down about 2,000 callsigns from last year.)

MASTERW.DTA with only US callsigns, VE and US possessions (KH2, KP2, etc.).
For use in ARRL Sweepstakes. There are over 11,000 callsigns. (This is up 2,000 callsigns over last year.)

MASUSVE.DTA with only US callsigns and VE (no possessions).
For use by DX stations in ARRL DX. There are almost 11,000 callsigns.(This is up about 2,000 callsigns over last year.)

MASTER.ZIP (contains all 4 databases)

The current version is VER0218A. A fake callsign was added to the database. This fake callsign is the version of the database. To find out what version you are running, type in "VER" as if it were a callsign and you should see the version number, in this case VER0218A.

The main goal of the database is to provide valid callsigns. Efforts are made to ensure that calls in the database are legitimate. If I error one way or another, it is on the side of fewer calls but higher confidence that the calls are correct. If you do find bad calls, drop me an email and I will look into them and remove them if necessary.

Note that calls are not carried over year by year. These databases are the result of logs received from CQ WW 2001 until end of September 2002. I have updated callsigns in cases where someone made the database but they have just changed their call (in cases I was notified of).

If there are any questions or comments about the database, email me database at k9tm.com. 73 Tim

Background Info

In 2001 K8CC and I (K9TM) took over the generation of the callsign databases used by most of the popular contest logging

packages (you may know the file as master.dta or the feature as super-check partial). 
 
Currently the update plan for the database is to be updated twice a season. The start of the season is considered to be

 CQWW (database available ~1-Oct) and the mid-season update is considered to be ARRL DX (database available ~1-Feb).
 
We need your help. All you have to do is get together your logs and send them to us (see info at the bottom of this note for

 details). Since people interested in the databases are using a computer and since most of us submit our logs in cabrillo 

format anyway... we are only accepting cabrillo logs. (In the past the tools to generate the databases were based on CT BIN 

files and as a result, input was by CT BIN files. The tools and process have been changed to work from cabrillo files only.)
 
The more logs we get, the more calls we can extract and the better the final result. So all you Multi-Multi's out there (we know you

 use super-check partial :-) ) and anyone who wants to help (especially those who use the database) please submit your logs.
 
We promise that your log(s) will not be shared with anyone. We will not use your log for any purpose other than to extract 

callsigns for the database project. Please do not ask us to share your info with others.
 
How you can Help
 
To help out please do the following:
1. Name your files using your call. Something like K9TM1.LOG, K9TM2.LOG. Please do not name your files like

 01SSCW.LOG! You only have to rename a couple of files... I potentially have to do thousands (ok wishful thinking,

 probably only hundreds). 
2. Send the files as attachments to an email, not as text in the email. You can attach more than one file per email.

 It is not necessary to send a separate email for each log. However, you can if you want to. It makes not difference at

 this end.
3. Please do not zip or otherwise compress the files.
4. Send the logs to: database at k9tm.com (just replace the “at” with the “@” character. This is done to

 reduce the chance of getting spam at this email address from web crawlers.)
 
 
If you would like to send your logs throughout the year rather than this batch method that is OK. If enough people do this, I

 wouldn't have any problem making updates available more often. This is a good way to participate in the database project

 without having to remember when to send logs. Just submit them when you submit to the contest sponsor or if you are more

 comfortable, wait until after the submission deadline for the contest and then submit your log for the database.
 
FAQ
 
Q) Do you only want CQWW logs?
A) NO. We want all types of logs. WW is just one contest. Any contest is fine.
 
Q) Why only cabrillo
A) Well since most all contest sponsors require cabrillo (or strongly want) and it has been around long enough now that

 software writers have had time to make it part of the package or write a post conversion program... it really helps tasks

 like this (and log checking).
 
Q) Since you do log checking for the ARRL you already have my 160 or 10 log, just use it.
A) While it is true that Dave and I do log checking for the ARRL, we can NOT use the logs submitted to the ARRL. Why?

 Because the ARRL does not want them used for anything other than log checking. That is their decision and Dave and I

 abide by it. Please send your logs again as described earlier for inclusion into the database.
 
Q) How do you get rid of bad calls?
A) There are several techniques used. While we try our best through software and human inspection... things still happen.

 Garbage-in, Garbage-out still sort-of applies. We hope to filter through things and come up with a quality database. 
 
BTW, a step was added to take out known bad calls that may have made it through. If you have specific bad calls in mind or

 have found some in prior databases, please send me a note with those calls and I will add them to the list. Note that you 

don't have to send OE5OSO (really OE5OHO), that call inspired this extra step. There have also been several folks who

 asked that their call be removed from the database. This step is used for that purpose as well.
 
Q) My logs are small, are they still useful?
A) Yes, all logs are useful. You don't have to be multi-multi, multi-single or multi-anything. All logs help.
 
Q) Do I need to mark the logs differently by contest (dx -vs- domestic, etc)?
A) Nope, the tools do all the work (well most of it).
 
Q) Some big guns don’t show up in the database, so how good can it be?
A) Some folks, large and small, have asked that their callsigns be removed from the database. So we have complied 

with their wishes.
 
Q) Can you add my callsign to the database?
A) We do not add callsigns to the database based on requests. One has to earn their way into the database. The way to

 earn your way in is to be active. If you are active, you will very likely make it into the database.
 
Q) I changed my call since last contest season, what now?
A) If you have changed your call, send an email to database at k9tm.com and give your old call and the new call. When the

 database is complete, your old call will be replaced with the new call.
 
Q) Do you want my RTTY or VHF contest logs?
A) At the present time, there are others who maintain databases for RTTY and VHF. We have attempted to contact these

 individuals in the past and received no answer. In the past we also accepted these logs. However, we did not receive

 enough logs to make it worthwhile. Therefore, at this time we maintain the CW/SSB databases. If in the future we receive

 enough interest, we could easily make these specialty databases as well.