Writelog IMHO is the solution if you want to do RTTY, HF and VHF/UHF
contesting as you only need to learn to use one program. For LPT1 We use
this freeware program with XP and it has worked fine for us on several
computers. Of course you need to build a cable to key via the LPT1.
http://www.writelog.com/support/lpt_port_support_on_windows_nt.htm
Ed W0SD
Gary AL9A wrote:
> Rick,
>
> Don't be so quick to pull the plug on WL. It is a great program, just takes
> time to get up the learning curve. I've never used LPT1 for keying, always
> gone through a comm port and now a USB to Serial adapter under Vista. The
> LPT1 issue has generated many posts to the reflector over the years. If
> memory serves me correctly, the issue is not that WL doesn't support LPT1,
> it's that later versions of Windows don't allow use of LPT1. That would
> include XP and Vista. If you had an old machine running Win98 or Win2000 I
> believe you would find LPT1 would work with WL.
>
> As to your comm port problem, there is a way to make WL work with up to 15
> comm ports. You need to make an entry in the [PORTS] section of the
> writelog.ini file to add the CommSlotn= command to reassign a comm slot
> higher than 4 to one between 1 and 4. The syntax is important. Below is
> the pertinent section from the WL Help file.
>
>
> There are 4 "slots" available for WriteLog rig interfacing. By default,
> CommSlot1 is COM1:, but you can change that by changing the number on the
> right of the equal sign. These settings are not used for RTTY or for packet
>
> CommSlot1=1
> CommSlot2=2
>
> In this example, the third and fourth slots are on COM7 and COM8. COM15 is
> as high as is supported.
>
> CommSlot3=7
> CommSlot4=8
>
> 73,
> Gary AL9A
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Rick Lindquist" <n1rl@earthlink.net>
> To: <writelog@contesting.com>
> Sent: February 29, 2008 10:58 AM
> Subject: [WriteLog] Enabling CW keying via LPT1
>
>
>> I purchased a copy of WL only to find out that it does *not* support LPT1
>> for direct CW keying when you're running XP. (I have no interest in keying
>> CW via the PTT line; I want to be able to hear the sidetone.) This seems
>> unreal to me, and I'm very close to asking for my money back. I purchased
>> WL
>> because it's gotten great reviews and felt it would likely have better
>> support down the road. I also know a lot of folks use it for RTTY contest
>> logging, and that was a big consideration.
>>
>>
>>
>> I've used CT for contest logging for many years now, and it keys just
>> great
>> via LPT1 with a W1WEF interface (ie, LPT1 plug with a keying line
>> connection
>> to the rig's key jack). CT doesn't seem to support RTTY contesting and,
>> anyway, I want to consolidate all my logging - general and contest - into
>> a
>> single logger (porting my general log from Win-EQF to WriteLog was no
>> problem).
>>
>>
>>
>> WriteLog's help file cites the Direct-IO add-in as a solution to the LPT1
>> support issue, but (1) it costs nearly as much as WL ($29) and (2) I
>> downloaded a trial copy of Direct-IO and WL still wouldn't let me set LPT1
>> to key the rig directly (the WL help file says the program will
>> automatically recognize it, but that didn't happen, even with rebooting;
>> the
>> selections are still grayed out).
>>
>>
>>
>> I figured if all else fails, I could key the radio via a USB-serial
>> adapter
>> (ie, COM port), but WL apparently only supports COM 1-4. I have only COM
>> 5,
>> 7 and 8 available, and two of those already are occupied with other
>> devices
>> (my four-year-old laptop has 3 USB ports plus one LPT).
>>
>>
>>
>> I've been to the WriteLog reflector archives on contesting.com, and, while
>> this subject is addressed, I didn't see anything that pertains directly to
>> my situation. At this point, I feel I've squandered several hours that I
>> could have put to better use. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!
>>
>>
>>
>> Rick, N1RL
>>
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>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/writelog
>> WriteLog on the web: http://www.writelog.com/
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
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