Pack Unpack Data - foldynl/QLog GitHub Wiki

The Pack Data & Settings and Unpack Data & Settings functions allow transferring the complete QLog database - including all QSOs, configuration, and service credentials - to another computer. This is the recommended way to migrate QLog between machines, even across different operating systems.

Pack Data & Settings

File → Pack Data && Settings

Before saving the file, QLog asks for a password. This password is used to encrypt the stored service credentials (passwords for LoTW, ClubLog, eQSL, QRZ.com, HamQTH, etc.) embedded in the export file. The password will be required when importing the file on another machine.

  • Enter a password and confirm it, or click Random to generate a strong random password.
  • Optionally check Delete passwords from Credential Store after export to remove all stored credentials from the current installation after a successful export — useful when decommissioning a machine or handing it over.

After confirming the password, a file save dialog appears. The resulting file has the .dbe extension and contains the full compressed database including encrypted credentials.

Note: If you lose the password, QSOs and settings can still be imported — only the service credentials will not be restored. The database itself (e.g., QSOs and other non-sensitive data) is not encrypted.

This export includes all data, settings and passwords except for the following:

  • Passwords for individual DX Cluster servers DX-Cluster

Unpack Data & Settings

File → Unpack Data && Settings

Warning

  • The current database will be permanently deleted.
  • All currently stored passwords will be deleted.
  • The application will restart automatically after loading.

To preserve existing data, use Pack Data && Settings or Logbook → Export before proceeding.

Steps:

  1. Click Browse... and select a .dbe file.
  2. QLog validates the file. The status is shown immediately below the file path.
  3. If the file contains encrypted credentials, the Decrypt Credentials section becomes active — enter the password used during export.
  4. Click Load & Restart.

QLog replaces the current database with the imported one and restarts. After restart, all QSOs, settings, and (if the correct password was provided) service credentials are fully restored.

Cross-Platform Import

If the .dbe file was created on a different operating system (e.g., Windows → Linux), QLog detects this automatically and displays a warning next to the file status.

An additional dialog appears, listing all platform-specific settings that need to be adjusted — typically serial port paths (e.g., COM3 on Windows becomes /dev/ttyUSB0 on Linux). These settings must be reviewed and corrected before the import proceeds but they can also be modified later after the import if needed via File → Settings.