V18.07 30 August 2015
YO DX Contest:
As with the ARI DX contest (see V18.04), some
users reported problems with YO district codes
being logged in subsequent QSOs with non-YO
stations. In turn, it is not possible to reload
any logs concerned without first editing them to
replace spurious district codes with spaces.
I believe this is now fixed (I was wrong last
time).
CW Open.
The callsign reference file CWOPEN.LST has been
updated, and the format has been changed so that
SD correctly pre-fills members names on a callsign
match.
CVA Contest:
Fixed display of points for each QSO.
Ohio QSO Party - OQP.
Updated for 2015 rules change - to log RST but
not serials.
South Carolina QSO Party.
Added support for both sides, but with no direct
support for 6m or data modes.
WinKey - Dot/Dash Memory and Other Updated Options:
If you don't use paddles, whether single or dual-lever,
this section may not be of interest.
Note that SD's control commands for WinKey work only on
standalone units. For microHAM devices with integrated
WinKey chips, the only way to change WinKey settings
is with the microHAM control panel. This is because
microHAM devices discard control commands from all
contest and station loggers.
SD's MEMORY command (new in this version, and applicable
to WinKey only) toggles dot/dash memory (I'll call it DDM)
ON or OFF - enabled/disabled if you prefer. SD's default
has always been ON. The STATUS command displays WinKey's
current settings - but not for microHAM devices.
The difference (for single-paddle keys) is easy to
demonstrate, especially at slow speeds. Use SD's
MINWPM command to define WinKey's minimum speed as 5 WPM
(this is not possible with earler versions of SD), and
use the pot or keyboard to set the speed this speed.
Start a dash, and let go immediately (a quick tap only).
Before the dash ends, tap (and let go) the dot "side"
of the paddle. If WinKey sends the dot after the dash
has finished, DDM is enabled, otherwise it is disabled.
There is NO advantage with single-lever paddles, indeed
with ANY paddles, in having DDM disabled. When enabled,
sending and timing is easier - leading to fewer mistakes.
Otherwise, a common mistake is to send "O" rather than
"Q", or "M" rather than "K". As already mentioned, SD's
default setting is ON, but the MEMORY command lets you
experiment with the "harder" OFF option.
In effect, with DDM, keying is more tolerant of timing
errors - in particular, when the dot key is pressed
(or tapped) early. It has minimal effect on dashes
being tapped early, because our natural inclination is
to hold dashes for longer, simply because they are
longer. However, dash memory can still be demonstrated
at slow speeds. Tap (and let go) the dot key and,
before the dot has completed, tap the dash key. With
DDM the dash is played. Again, DDM "covers up" timing
errors where a dot (usually) is pressed or tapped early
- before completion of a dash element. On the other
hand, DDM cannot correct errors due to a "late" press
or tap.
With dual-paddle keys there are additional factors to
consider. Winkey supports three standard options, or
modes, using SD's IAMBICA, IAMBICB and ULTIMATIC
commands. Note that "Iambic B" and "Accu-Keyer" modes
are identical for all practical purposes. All three
modes relate to what happens when the paddles are
squeezed and held (this is clearly not relevant to
single-paddle keys).
When the paddles are squeezed, both Iambic A and
Iambic B send alternating dots and dashes, with the
first element (dot or dash) dependent on which
paddle was closed first. In mode A, the keyer
completes the element being sent when the paddles
are released. In mode B, the keyer sends an
additional, opposite, element to the one being sent
at the instant both paddles are released. This
feature is NOT related in any way to DDM.
Ultimatic mode differs from the two Iambic modes in
that, when the paddles are squeezed, the element
corresponding to whichever paddle is last to make
contact is repeated continuously until the "squeeze"
ends. In action, it's very similar to single-lever
keying, except that there is no need to release the
dot paddle when dashes are generated, and vice-versa.
The same DDM benefits, described for single-lever
paddles apply with Ultimatic - the greater tolerance
for (early) timing errors when sending characters
that are not amenable to continuous squeezing - for
example "Q" or "K". With DDM, the letter "Q" may be
formed by pressing and holding the dash paddle, and
momentarily tapping/squeezing the dot paddle AT ANY
TIME while the second dash is being sent, then
releasing the dash paddle while the final dash is
being sent. With no DDM, the dot paddle must be
pressed when the second dash ends. This is easily
verified with SD. Ultimatic users can not easily
switch to either Iambic mode.
With Iambic A, DDM permits the insertion of, say,
a dot by tapping the dot paddle while continuously
pressing the dash paddle. The letter "Q" may be
formed by pressing and holding the dash paddle, and
momentarily tapping/squeezing the dot paddle at any
time while the second dash is being sent, then
releasing the dash paddle while the final dash is
being sent. This is handy when calling CQ.
This does NOT work without DDM. It is still
possible to insert a dot while continuously
pressing the dash paddle, but only when the dot
paddle is held/squeezed until after the second
dash has completed - otherwise the result is the
letter "O". In this respect, as with single-lever
paddles, there is NO advantage in using Iambic A
mode with DDM disabled. When enabled, the result
is more tolerance with timing - and fewer mistakes.
Iambic B, or Accu-Keyer, mode is a little different.
The "extra" dot or dash element which appears after
a "squeeze" is often confused with Dot/Dash memory,
but it is nothing of the sort. It is simply the one
feature that distinguishes Iambic B from Iambic A.
The presence, or otherwise, of DDM still makes a
difference. This may be verified by trying the
letter K. With DDM, the dot paddle can be tapped
(and released) at any time while the first dash is
sending, and the letter K will be formed. Without
DDM, the dot paddle must still be pressed at the
time of completion of the first dash, otherwise the
result is M. Once again, there is no advantage in
using either Iambic mode without DDM. All users are
likley to have fewer mistakes with DDM enabled due
to greater timing tolerances.
Again, all that has been decribed may be verified
with WinKey and SD at slow speeds - 5 wpm is
recommended.
There is a final issue that is relevant. WinKey, and
perhaps other keyers, use a Switchpoint parameter to
control dot/dash memory. Here is the description
from the WinKey manual -
"(Switchpoint) controls when Winkey will start looking
for a new paddle press after sensing the current one.
If there is not enough delay the keyer will send
unwanted dits or dahs, if there is too much delay it
bogs you down because you can't get ahead of the keyer.
The default value is one dit time (50) and is adjustable
in percent of a dit time. Faster operators report a
setting somewhat less than default is more pleasing. If
the paddle sensitivity is set to zero, dit and dah
paddle memory is disabled."
I believe that, with the exception of the first and
last sentences in that paragraph, everything else is
wrong - and indicates a lack of understanding of the
basic function and purpose of DDM - even though the
author/designer has made provision for it.
It seems to me that DDM should be ON or OFF, with
no in-between, but perhaps I'm the one who doesn't
have a full grasp of the issues? In any case, when
DDM is enabled in SD, WinKey's Switchpoint parameter
is set to its minimum "ON" value 10 - meaning that
any tap on a paddle after the opposite element has
been playing for a time corresponding to one fifth
of a dot will be "remembered".
Many operators use dual-lever keys without ever
intentionally squeezing the paddles. In effect,
they are using the keys as single-lever devices.
In these circumstances the keyer mode, whether
Iambic A or B, or Ultimatic, has no relevance. The
only parameter that still makes a difference is DDM,
and I maintain that it should ALWAYS be enabled.
It seems to me that iambic keying is a solution
looking for a problem. Single-lever users can
confidently use any keyer or paddles - regardless
of the keyer mode. On the other hand, dual-padddle
users are confined to their individual mode of choice.
Yes, there may be benefits in terms of a reduction
in hand/finger movements with certain characters but
there is also more potential for errors. Instead of
just left and right (the only two options with
single-lever keys), we have, in addition, squeeze
left first, and squeeze right first.
If in doubt please get, or try, a single-lever
paddle. Mine is the Begali HST II, one of their
less expensive models.
It's not generally realised that it's harder to
manufacture a good single-lever paddle than a good
dual-lever version. The difficulty arises due to
the need to center a single paddle between the
dot and dash contacts - with no mechanical play,
and with no unwanted elements being sent due to
contact bounce at low tensions and contact spacing.
Most single-lever paddles have a central "stop"
post which solves the contact bounce problem.
However, they typically require an intermediate
"lever" arrangement between the paddle and the
contact points - which can lead to imprecision
and a need for precise adjustments to minimise
play. The Begali HST II uses an ingenious cam
arrangement which does away with stop posts and
intermediate levers, and has zero mechanical play.
Do yourself a favour and try one - you'll soon
appreciate why single-lever paddles are generally
preferred in high-speed sending competitions.
______________________________________________
When you install a new version of SD, or when you
change to Windows 10, you may have to adjust the
size of the default window to fill your screen.
If necessary, do this for both SD and SDCHECK.
Click on the SD icon, at the top LHS of SD's window
and select Properties, then Font. If you have use
a widescreen (16:9) monitor, select the Lucida Console
font. For a 4:3 monitor, select the Consolas font
(not available on XP). Then choose whatever size of
font you prefer. SD's window expands or contracts in
direct proportion to the chosen font size.
If you find bugs in V18.07, please send the details
to sduser@contesting.com. Older versions are not
supported, so please confirm that the problem exists
in V18.07.
Please let me have your suggestions for changes or
additions, or support for new contests.
73,
Paul EI5DI
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