Frequently Asked Questions

QSO Log Map is a free online tool that converts ADIF (Amateur Data Interchange Format) log files into interactive map visualizations. Upload your ham radio QSO log and instantly see all your contacts plotted on a 2D map or 3D globe with great circle paths, filters, and comprehensive statistics.

QSO Log Map supports standard ADIF files with .adi or .adif extensions. These are exported by virtually all amateur radio logging software including:

• WSJT-X
• Logger32
• MacLoggerDX
• Log4OM
• N1MM+
• Ham Radio Deluxe
• DXKeeper

If your logging program can export to ADIF format, it will work with QSO Log Map.

No. Your ADIF file is processed entirely in your browser using client-side JavaScript. No QSO data is sent to any server. Your log data stays private on your computer.

Only a minimal upload request is made to count usage statistics (file name and size), but the actual QSO content is never transmitted.

QSO Log Map uses two methods to determine contact locations:

1. Maidenhead grid square - from the GRIDSQUARE field in your ADIF file. This is the most accurate method and provides location precision down to a few kilometers.
2. DXCC country prefix lookup - when no grid square is available, the callsign prefix is matched against the cty.dat database to determine the country centroid.

The location source (grid or country) is shown in each contact's popup on the map.

The 3D globe is an interactive Earth visualization powered by Globe.gl with high-resolution textures. It shows your QSO contacts as points on a rotating globe with great circle arcs connecting your station to each contact.

You can rotate, zoom, and explore your contacts in three dimensions. Toggle between the 2D map and 3D globe with a single click using the "3D" button.

Great circle paths (geodesic lines) represent the shortest distance between two points on Earth's surface. In amateur radio, these show the actual signal propagation path between stations.

To see great circle paths on QSO Log Map:

1. Enter your Maidenhead grid locator in the "My Location" field
2. Enable "QSO Lines" in the Display options

Yes. QSO Log Map offers three export options in the Tools tab:

• PNG screenshot - customizable with callsign, statistics, band/mode breakdown overlays
• KML file - for viewing in Google Earth
• CSV file - for spreadsheet analysis

All exports are generated in your browser - no data is sent to a server.

QSO Log Map provides comprehensive statistics:

• Total QSOs and mapped QSOs
• DXCC entities worked (out of 340) with progress tracking
• Grid squares worked
• Unique callsigns and duplicates
• Continents and CQ zones (out of 40)
• ITU zones
• Average and maximum distances
• Date range of activity
• QSO distribution charts by band, mode, and timeline
• Top 10 DXCC entities

Yes, QSO Log Map is completely free to use with no registration required. There are no ads, no premium features, and no usage limits. It's an open tool created by SP5LAG for the amateur radio community.

QSO Log Map works in all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. It requires JavaScript to be enabled.

The 3D globe feature uses WebGL, which is supported by all current browsers. For best performance with large log files (1000+ QSOs), a desktop browser is recommended.

ADIF (Amateur Data Interchange Format) is the standard file format used by amateur radio operators to exchange QSO (contact) log data between different logging programs. Files typically have .adi or .adif extensions.

Each record contains fields like callsign, date, time, band, mode, frequency, RST sent/received, and grid locator. ADIF is maintained by the ADIF Development Group and is supported by virtually every ham radio logging application.

QSO Log Map supports ADIF files up to 50 MB. This is enough for most operators' entire log history - even logs with tens of thousands of QSOs.

Files with thousands of QSOs are processed in seconds thanks to client-side processing. For very large files, performance may vary depending on your device's hardware.