I also had a lockup problem with CT and LPT CW and keyer and FT1000D and the
solution turned out to be very unusual -
I first tried all sorts of ferrites on the keying cables etc. BUT (and
don't ask me how I got to this discovery - I don't remember!) THE SOLUTION
WAS to pull the phono plug from the CT LPT interface to the rig/keyer OUT
until the shield was not connected, only the center pin of the phono plug.
Presto Magic - no more lockup. Since there were multiple ground paths,
including the safety ground for the power line, the keying still worked.
Why did this work? I don't know for sure, but I surmise that it was a RF
related "ground loop" where current was flowing through that shield onto the
computer chassis and causing the problem. Why didn't the ferrite clamp ons
stop the ground loop? I don't know, maybe not enough impedance - I did not
try a real large toroid that could take several turns, just about 8 1 turn
clamp ons. Note - the antennas are 100 feet away and 100 feet up.
Good Luck, hope this helps.
73 es KB March 2/3! John K1AE
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ct-user-admin@contesting.com
> [mailto:ct-user-admin@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Scott Nichols
> Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2002 1:47 PM
> To: ct-user@contesting.com
> Subject: [ct-user] CW, CT and the FT1000MP
>
>
> I have an equipment problem that is driving me nuts...This reflector
> seemed appropriate as another CT User might have experienced the same
> thing...
>
> My station, in part, consists of a FT1000MP, interfaced with my computer
>
> via the serial port (COM1) for rig control, and via LPT1 for the CW
> interface...Have old Heathkit external keyer and Bencher paddles going
> to the second paddle input on the 1000MP...I use CT as my contesting
> software...
>
> My problem...When using CT to send CW, I am limited to VERY low power or
> my 1000mp TX keys and locks on...The only way to unkey the rig is to
> turn the RF OUT knob way down...(I'm talking about 10 or 15 watts on 15
> metres, ugggggg!!)...The only band that seems unaffected is 10 metres,
> where I can crank the amp to full power with no problems...
>
> Simple problem of RF getting into the cabling between the rig and
> computer, right ? That's what I thought too...After replacing all
> cabling with shielded cabling etc etc, the problem is still
> there...Here's the quirk...I can use other programs (LOG-EQF for
> example) to send CW via the keyboard and same computer-to-rig
> interfacing with no problems...Full power on all bands works OK...
>
> In addition, the lock-on problem only happens after I first use CT to
> send CW...Here's a typical scenario that I tested a dozen times last
> night to be sure it wasn't intermittent...
>
> -Turn rig ON with computer OFF...All OK...Can send CW with paddles at
> full power...
> -Turn computer ON without CT running, all OK...Can use full power with
> paddles, and LOG-EQF will send via the keyborad OK at full power...
> -Start CT, use paddles to send CW, all OK...Hit F4 on keyboard to send
> my call, and the TX keys and locks until I turn RF OUT down to minimal
> level...Now, even using the external paddles will lock the TX on...
> -Close CT, paddles still lock TX on...
> -Open LOG-EQF, can now use either the paddles or keyboard to send CW...
>
> BOTTON LINE...Can't use CT to send CW via the keyboard at any more than
> 15 watts!! (made for fun last weekend I'll tell you!!...Wife's dream
> almost came true, she thought I was going to turf everything out the
> basement window Saturday afternoon)...
>
> What am I missing here ? I realize that it is an RF problem, but why
> only when running CT ? If it happened when I was using other programs to
>
> send CW, I could understand...Is there something in CT that I have set
> wrong ? (I do NOT use CT for rig control, therefore no COM port settings
>
> are used in CT SETUP)...OR...Is there a menu setting in the FT1000MP
> that could be fouling things up ?...The ONLY time this problem arises is
>
> when I start CT...( No slight against the program, it likely isn't even
> the program's fault)
>
> Again, I have used shielded cabling and tried torroids everywhere etc
> etc etc...
>
> Any help would be GREATLY appreciated...It's baffling me...Maybe
> something to do with using the LPT port for CW keying with CT ? Can I
> use the COM port to key the FT1000MP from CT?
>
> 73, Scott VE1OP
>
>
>
>
>
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