MiniBook

What is MiniBook?

MiniBook is a modern, lightweight yet extremely powerful logging and station-integration suite for radio amateurs. It is designed with one clear objective: fast, reliable, and structured operation during everyday QSOs, portable activities, DXing, and contesting.

MiniBook is not just a logbook. It is a central operating hub that connects logging, rig control, DX cluster spotting, online services, and station automation into a single, coherent workflow.

Origins & History of MiniBook

MiniBook started as a personal experiment rather than a planned product.

Through professional work involving test scripting, hardware/software validation, database handling, and automation using Python, the idea arose to explore how quickly a small, practical logging tool could be built from scratch.

The original goal was intentionally modest:

• Create a small test logbook
• Keep it simple and robust
• Focus on field operation rather than a full desktop logging suite
• Design everything around one compact screen, suitable for tablet use

The first versions of MiniBook were never meant to replace existing logging software. They were created to answer a simple question:

How little is actually needed to log QSOs efficiently in the field?

Very quickly, this experiment evolved beyond its initial scope.

Field-Oriented Design

From the beginning, MiniBook was designed with portable and outdoor operation in mind:

• Large, clear input fields
• Minimal window clutter
• Logical left-to-right and top-to-bottom workflow
• No hidden dependencies on internet connectivity

Everything needed to log a QSO had to be accessible from one compact main window, without opening multiple dialogs or panels.

Why Python and Open Source

Python was a deliberate choice.

Using Python meant:

• No complex build or compilation process
• Fast iteration and experimentation
• Easy debugging and modification
• Direct access to mature libraries for networking, GUI, and data processing

MiniBook is written as plain, readable Python code. This allows technically inclined radio amateurs to:

• Inspect how things work internally
• Modify behavior for their own station
• Extend functionality without reverse engineering

Being open source was a natural extension of this philosophy.

From Test Log to Station Ecosystem

As MiniBook matured, real-world operating revealed new requirements:

• DXCC and prefix intelligence
• Rig frequency tracking
• DX Cluster integration
• Contest-style workflows
• Award and reference handling

Instead of bolting features on randomly, MiniBook evolved into a modular ecosystem:

• Logging focused purely on data integrity and workflow
• Rig control delegated to a dedicated Hamlib layer
• DX Cluster handling separated for performance and clarity

Core Philosophy

MiniBook is built around a few fundamental principles:

• Local-first design – Your data stays on your system in open formats
• Operator control – No forced cloud dependency
• Modular architecture – Each component can run standalone or fully integrated
• Performance oriented – Optimized disk I/O, caching, and background threading
• Radio-centric workflow – The radio is always the reference point

MiniBook Logbook System

JSON-Based Logbook Engine

MiniBook uses a custom JSON logbook format designed for speed, flexibility, and long-term maintainability.

• Very fast loading and saving
• Automatic logbook format upgrades
• Built-in backup handling
• Efficient operation with large logbooks

ADIF Import & Export

• Import from other logging applications
• Export full logbooks or selected QSOs
• Contest, POTA, and WWFF-specific exports
• Robust encoding detection (UTF-8 / Latin-1)

Advanced QSO Management

• Edit and delete QSOs safely
• Multi-select bulk editing
• Duplicate QSO detection
• Worked-before and worked-today highlighting
• Automatic band and frequency validation

DXCC, Locator & Geographic Intelligence

DXCC & Prefix Handling

• cty.dat based DXCC recognition
• Intelligent prefix parsing
• Portable and compound callsign support

Locator, Distance & Heading

• Maidenhead locator validation
• Automatic distance calculation
• Real-time heading updates

Award & Reference Systems

• DXCC
• IOTA
• SOTA
• POTA
• WWFF
• BOTA
• COTA
• Satellite operations

Rig Integration via Hamlib

• Live frequency polling
• Live mode polling
• Automatic band detection
• Network-based rig connections
• Automatic reconnect handling

DX Cluster Integration

What is a DX Cluster?

A DX Cluster is a real-time network where radio amateurs post and receive activity reports (spots) of stations currently on the air.

Each spot typically includes:

• Callsign
• Frequency
• Mode
• Spotter
• Optional comments

DXCluster Application

• Buffered high-performance spot processing
• Band and mode filtering
• Custom regular-expression filters
• Callsign alerts with sound notifications
• Automatic reconnect logic

Smart Spot Interaction

• Clicking a spot tunes the radio
• Callsign and frequency are sent to MiniBook
• Worked-before and worked-today highlighting
• Self-spot visibility

Who Is MiniBook For?

• Portable operators (POTA, SOTA, WWFF)
• DX-focused casual operating
• Field operation and expeditions
• Home stations that value simplicity and control
• Operators who want full ownership of their logbook data

When NOT to Use MiniBook

• If you need a full contest logger with scoring and multipliers
• If you require automatic award tracking and validation
• If you rely on heavy SO2R or macro-driven contest workflows
• If you simply do not like logging QSOs at all

Conclusion

MiniBook is not simply another logging application.

It is a complete station ecosystem that integrates logging, rig control, DX spotting, geographic intelligence, and web publishing into a single, operator-focused solution.

Designed by a radio amateur, for radio amateurs — with performance, clarity, and reliability as its foundation.