Software

N1MM

For the BMA Contest, we recommend using the logging program N1MM Logger+. The major advantage of N1MM is that you can use pre-configured UDC files (User Defined Contests). These help you avoid mistakes during the contest, for example by automatically reducing typos.
Note: this guide only covers how to set up N1MM for participation in the BMA Contest. Connecting N1MM to your radio (CAT settings) is not covered here.
A step-by-step explanation of the configuration can be found below.
We recommend following the steps carefully. If you still encounter problems, try to ask for help from someone experienced with N1MM or with good IT skills.

1. N1MM Downloaden & installeren

You can download the latest version of N1MM from the official N1MM website.
Click this link: Download N1MM (opens in a new tab).
After downloading, run the file N1MM-Logger-FullInstaller-1.0.xxxxx.exe and install it on your PC.
If a version of N1MM is already installed on your PC but it isn’t the most recent one, you can also download the latest update via the website.
Click this link: Download N1MM update (opens in a new tab).
An alternative way to update N1MM is to start the program. If N1MM is connected to the internet, it will automatically offer to upgrade to the latest version.
Important: make sure your PC has the most recent version of N1MM. If not, this may cause problems during further configuration.
After installation is complete, restart your PC.

2. Configuratie N1MM

When you start N1MM for the first time, you get two options:

  • Create new N1MM logger + database
  • Open existing N1MM logger + database

Choose “Create new N1MM logger + database” here.
N1MM will then create a new database, in which we will shortly create the logbook for the BMA contest.

Click OK when you receive the message “reload wl_cty.dat complete”.

 

Next, we fill in the necessary details regarding the station and the operator.
Click OK.

 

N1MM suggests creating the database in the default Databases folder. The default name for the database is ham.s3db.
If desired, you can select a different folder and change the database’s file name to a name of your choice.

 

Now we will fill in all the information regarding the operator and the station.

 

The details that must be filled in are essential for adding the correct information to the log file during export. As you can see in the example, not all fields are mandatory.
Below is a list of all the fields for which a value must be provided, including an example.

  • Call: Enter a callsign here, e.g. “ON4XX”
  • Name: First and last name “Peter Celi”
  • Address: Street and number “Tuinlaan 24”
  • City: Municipality “Gent”
  • State: The province “WV”
  • Zip: Postal code “9000”
  • Country: Country “BE”
  • Grid Square: Station locator (https://www.egloff.eu/qralocator/) “JO10U”
  • CQ Zone: “14”
  • ITU Zone: “27”
  • Latitude & Longitude: these will be filled in automatically when entering the Grid Square.
  • ARRL Section: “DX”
  • Club: Your section “ARA”
  • Email address: your email address.

When everything is filled in, click OK. If you wish to change this information later, you can find it again under “Config” and then “Change your station data”.

 

3.  Bestanden en mappenstructuur in N1MM Logger+

📁 What are UDC and .SEC files in N1MM Logger+?
UDC files (.udc) – User Defined Contest
A UDC file defines the rules and structure of a contest that is not included as a standard contest in N1MM. It contains, among other things:

  • What the exchange consists of (e.g. RST + serial number or section)
  • Which bands are allowed
  • How points are awarded
  • Multipliers (e.g. Belgian provinces or Mill references)

For the BMA contest, which is not a standard part of N1MM, you need a UDC file so that the logging program works correctly according to the specific rules of this contest.

Advantage: You do not need to configure anything manually; the logging program automatically follows the contest rules

How to correctly install the contest files in N1MM Logger+

✅ Step 1: Find your Windows username
Open Windows File Explorer

  • Go to: C:Users or C:Users
  • Check the name of the folder containing your username.
  • For example: C:Usersjan or C:Usersfranc
  • Note this name: this is your Windows username

🔽 Step 2: Download the required files
Click here to download the ZIP file containing all the required files. (coming soon)
After downloading:

  • Extract the ZIP file (right-click → Extract All)
  • Then copy the files to the correct folders as explained below.

📁 Step 3: Copy the files to the correct N1MM folders
Use the username you found in Step 1 from this point onwards!

3.1 📂 Call History file

  • File: (CallHist_BMA_26.txt)
  • Folder: C:Users[your username]DocumentsN1MM Logger+CallHistoryFiles
  • Copy the file to this folder.

3.2 📂 User Defined Contests (UDC)

  • Files: (BMA2M26DX.udc – BMA2M26ON.udc – BMA80M26DX.udc – BMA80M26ON.udc)
  • Folder: C:Users[your username]DocumentsN1MM Logger+UserDefinedContests
  • Copy all 4 files to this folder.

3.3 📂 Support Files

  • Files: (BMA_ARA.sec – BMA_ARA_ref.txt)
  • Folder:C:Users[your username]DocumentsN1MM Logger+SupportFiles
  • Copy both files to this folder.

🔄 Step 4: Update before the contest!

48 hours before the contest:

  • New versions of: (CallHist_BMA_26.txt – BMA_ARA_ref.txt) will become available.
  • These will be made available via the link on the website.
  • Download and replace the old files in their respective folders.

Summary:

File(s) Folder
CallHist_BMA_26.txt C:Users[your username]DocumentsN1MM Logger+CallHistoryFiles
.udc files (4x) C:Users[your username]DocumentsN1MM Logger+UserDefinedContests
BMA_ARA.sec, BMA_ARA_ref.txt C:Users[your username]DocumentsN1MM Logger+SupportFiles

4.  Nieuw logbestand aanmaken.

Create a New Log

  • Go to:
    • File → New Log in Database

 

Select the contest you want to configure N1MM for from the list.

  • BMA (Belgian Mill Award) 2m contest 202x DX
  • BMA (Belgian Mill Award) 2m contest 202x ON
  • BMA (Belgian Mill Award) 80m contest 202x DX
  • BMA (Belgian Mill Award) 80m contest 202x ON

 

In the Contest tab, some additional information must also be entered, such as the band, mode, etc.

Not all fields are mandatory, but the following fields should definitely be completed, with particular attention to the “Sent Exchange” field.

  • Operator: SINGLE OP
  • Band: 80M or 2M
  • Power: Low
  • Mode: SSB
  • Station: FIXED
  • Assisted: ASSISTED
  • Transmitter: On
  • The “Sent Exchange” field can have three possible values:
    • 001 WV: You are participating in the contest, but not from a mill.
    • 001 X12345: You are participating from a mill.
      Replace “X12345” with the correct code of your mill, as shown in the example.
    • 001 DX: You are participating as a foreign station.

 

Then click “Import Section List”, as shown in the example screen.

If everything proceeds correctly, the following message will appear:

Imported c:usersyour usernameDocumentsN1MM Logger+SupportFilesBMA_ARA.sec

Click OK to continue.

Then click the “Associated Files” tab, as shown in the example screen.

Klik op de knop “Change” op dezelfde hoogte als de titel “Call History Files”, zoals aangegeven in het voorbeeldscherm.

Select the file “CallHist_BMA_26.txt”.

If this file is not displayed, check whether Step 3, and in particular Step 3.1, has been completed correctly.

Then click OK.

The file “CallHist_BMA_26.txt” now appears next to the Call History Files title.

Then click OK to continue.

When all the previous steps have been completed correctly, the N1MM entry screen should look like the example shown.

More specifically, the ‘Provincie’ and ‘Mill_Molen_Moulin’ fields should be visible.

Check that ESM is disabled in N1MM Logger+.

You can easily do this by pressing the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+M.

When this has been done correctly, the following message will appear: “Phone mode ESM is off”.

What is ESM?
ESM in the context of N1MM Logger+ stands for Enter Sends Message.

When ESM is enabled, pressing the Enter key automatically sends a predefined message (such as a CQ, report, or confirmation) during a contest. This makes contesting more efficient, especially in voice or digital modes.

Check that the “Enable Call History Lookup” option is enabled.

If this option is not enabled, the software will not assist with automatically completing or recognizing a callsign.

What is “Call History Lookup” in N1MM Logger+?
The Call History Lookup function in N1MM Logger+ uses a preloaded file containing information about previously logged stations.

As soon as you start entering a callsign, the software searches the call history database for known information.

This information is then automatically displayed or entered in the relevant fields. This saves time, prevents errors, and helps you log QSOs more quickly.

5. N1MM – CAT interface

📘 Manually Setting the Band in N1MM Without a CAT Interface

If your radio is not connected to N1MM Logger+ via a CAT interface, you must manually specify which band you are operating on.

This is important for correct logging and contest checking.

You can do this by entering a frequency in the QSO window.

🧭 Step-by-step instructions

  1. Click in the frequency field (where you enter the callsign)
  2. Enter the desired frequency in kHz
    For example:

    • Type 3600 and press Enter → N1MM automatically sets the band to 80M.
    • Type 144000 and press Enter → N1MM automatically sets the band to 2M.
  3. Check the selected band
    To the left of the Entry Window, the correct band is now selected, such as Band: 80M or Band: 2M.
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

N1MM does not automatically recognize my callsign (Call History Lookup does not work).
Check that “Enable Call History Lookup” is enabled and that the file CallHist_BMA_26.txt is actually located in the CallHistoryFiles folder.

The BMA contest UDC file does not appear in the list under “New Log in Database”.
Check that all 4 .udc files are located in the UserDefinedContests folder and restart N1MM after copying the files.

I do not get a confirmation message when using “Import Section List”.
Check that the file BMA_ARA.sec is present in the SupportFiles folder and that the filename matches exactly.

ESM remains enabled even after pressing Ctrl+M.
Check that the Entry Window is active/selected when you press Ctrl+M.

My band is not set correctly automatically.
Without a CAT interface, you must enter the frequency manually in the frequency field. Make sure you enter the frequency in kHz (for example, 3600 for 80M).

I cannot find my Windows username.
Open Windows File Explorer and go to C:Users (or C:Users). The folder name you see there is your username.