I thought I had written this post once - but couldn't find it - so
here it is: How to best use TR Log with two radios in the CW Sprint.
It should be noted that using two radios in the sprint is a LOT
different than using it with two radios in something like the SS.
In the SS - you spend a lot of time calling endless CQs and you
use the second radio to look for new meat on other bands. You
will soon wear out your Alt-D key (note - you can rig up a footswitch
to activate the Alt-D feature).
In the Sprint - you will not use the Alt-D feature. I will now try
to explain how I use the program in the Sprint with two radios.
If you setup the program by typeing TR NEW and selecting the SPRINT
contest, you will be asked for your name and QTH. After you enter
this information, the program will setup the memories exactly how
I set them up for the contest. For the purposes of the examples
below - it is assumed that you have followed this procedure.
You might want to look at your CQ and EX memories using the Alt-P
command. Note that CQ memories F4-F8 and EX memories F7 and F8
have some funny looking characters in front of them. The first
funny character is a Control-A character which will cause the
message to be sent on the inactive radio. The second funny
character is a Control-B character, which will identify the message
as a CQ. When TR sees a message with Control-A and Control-B -
it will send the message on the inactive radio and if you type in
a call and hit RETURN, it will assume that the QSO is to be
made on the INACTIVE radio (which will become the ACTIVE radio).
Scenario #1: You are the CQ station during a SPRINT QSO. You
have either called CQ - or finished up a QSO where you get to keep
the frequency. Let's say K7RAT has called you and you respond and
send him your exchange. While your exchange is being sent, you
check the second radio and make sure you are on a clear frequency.
While receiving the exchange from K7RAT, you can press F7 or F8 to
call CQ on your second radio. This CQ will abort if you press
a different function key (to give a fill or QSL the QSO). If
someone answers the CQ (let's say it was N6TR) - simply enter the
call of the station and the program will switch radios automatically.
If this happens, you should find a clear frequency with the other
radio (the band you finished up the previous QSO on) so you can
call another CQ when receiving the exchange from N6TR. If you
can get an answer to each CQ - you can jump back and forth between
bands forever. However, it never works that way in real life.
If the CQ goes unanswered - you can call another by pressing
F7 or F8 again (note that you are now sending CQ memories, but
they are programmed the same as the EX ones). You can keep
calling CQ as long as you want (pressing F7 or F8 for each one)
and tune the other band for someone new to call. If you find
someone - just press the SPACE BAR and the CQ will abort and your
call will be dumped on the proper band.
If you decide to switch which band you are calling CQ on - use
the Alt-R command. Note that the dupesheet will always be
on the band where you need it - on the "active radio"'s band.
Typical applications of this process are to call "free" CQs on
20 meters when receiving the second exchange on 40 and to continue
calling CQ until you find a new station on 40 to pounce. The same
process can be used near the end of the contest on 80/40.
The CQ memory F4 is useful if someone answers your CQ with a
question mark. F5 can be used for a quick CQ. If you are
receiving an exchange from someone sending slow - or making
lots of mistakes, you can press F7 or F8 again to make the
message longer. If a CQ is in progress when you hit RETURN to
finish your QSO - the CQ will abort and the dit-dit will be
sent. If someone answers your CQ - just enter the call and
press RETURN.
I hope this helps - if you have any questions - please send me
a note.
73 Tree N6TR
n6tr@contesting.com
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