Calling all ICCF players

Ok. let me start by saying that I am not interested in a conversation regarding the ligitamentce of the ICCF; nor do I care about for a discussion regarding chess engine use during play - those topics can be discussed on several other forum topics across chess.com. 

Additionally, I do not need a refresher lesson on the rules of on line chess here at chess.com - we should all know the rules regarding engines use here and have an ethical responsability to follow the rules of the site and/or organization that we particapte.

What I am interested in is a conversation on techniques, stradegy, equipement that those of us who play in the ICCF are implamenting - the ICCF is a highly competetive league and hopefully if we all share some expereinces we can all improve.

NOW - to my first question.

I was wondering if anyone has done backtesting of their opening lines with Fritz, Junior, or Hundinie? I know it can be done in COW - but I am not really interested in spending $197 on a database repository - I have searched google inside and out and can not find anything on useing these programs to back test variations - was hopeing that someone might have done this and could provide some insight.

Thanks in advance,

TCA