Hi Bob,
I thought I would respond to the entire group because there is a little bit
of misconception on how the AFC works with RTTYrite and the WriteLog
RTTY Receiver.
First off I'd like to say that the WriteLog RTTY Receiver indicator is the
best I've ever used and use it exclusively in RTTY contesting to tune signals
in quickly and accurately.
Secondly, I think I nice addition to the RTTY Receiver would be the option
of leaving the AFC on all the time but that is not how it is designed to operate
at present and here's why...
When calling CQ and a station answers you and is slightly off frequency, the
AFC function "tunes" in the signal, when you go to transmit by either using the
Insert key or the function key you have designated for the exchange, the box
becomes unchecked and the WriteLog receiver freezes where it "heard" the
calling station. Therefore, when the calling stations come back to send his/her
report, the WriteLog RTTY receiver is already on the spot where it received
the signal in the first place.
After the contact is logged, you will notice that the box becomes checked
automatically again and the AFC is fully operational. All this is by design.
I have tested WriteLog using a sound card for receive and transmitting FSK
from a COM port, but have not used it in an actual contest so I can't say for
sure if having the AFC function work this way is a big advantage or an actual
disadvantage. I know a lot of folks don't like it. I see that Jeff, K1AM,
doesn't
like it either.
However, I personally would like to see the AFC box have the option of being
"on" all the time. I use it this way as a 2nd RTTY receiver in a 2nd RTTY
window in
my present configuration (in other words I use it for receive only and do not
transmit from this RTTY window - I transmit using either a PK232 or DXP-38).
I have found that the AFC function of the WriteLog RTTY Receiver is way fast
enough to retune any signal within my 250 hz filter. If the station I am
receiving
drifts or changes frequency (this does not happen very often but still happens)
and the AFC is locked onto a different frequency then you have to reclick AFC
on or retune it in with your RIT.
Some folks say it should be turned "off" when in the S&P mode. I disagree. I
think it is much faster to tune with it turned on. That way you can use the two
lines on the display, line them up and go. I have found that using this
display is
the fastest way to tune RTTY signals in a contest. But what's even nice about
it
is the accuracy. You know when you like up the two vertical bars on the left
and
the right, that you are dead on frequency.
One of the biggest complaints from people in RTTY contests today is that so
many people call off frequency. Wayne has given us a way to be spot on every
time and quickly too.
Wayne... give us the option of leaving the AFC turned on all the time in the
RTTY
Receiver window.
I'm interested to hear what others say on this subject. I now have FSK setup
on a
COM port and am in the process of being able to set up WriteLog so I can not
only receive in 2 RTTY windows with the same radio, but also transmit to the
same
radio using either of the 2 windows. What is the advantage of this? Well, not
much
really, but say you have a DXP-38 and a sound card working on the same radio.
A station calls you but is garbled in the DXP-38 window but comes out clean and
highlights in the sound card window. You can then click and go from the sound
card
window instead of having to type in the call manually in the DXP-38's entry
window
if that is the one used for transmit or vice versa with the sound card.
73, Don AA5AU
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Crossland" <bcross@bellatlantic.net>
To: <writelog@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2001 7:48 PM
Subject: [WriteLog] AFC question
>
> Hello all,
>
> During the past RTTY Roundup I noticed a rather annoying thing happening
> to the AFC function.
>
> Let me start by saying when I call CQ I turn AFC on by checking the box
> in the tuning window.
> Here's the scenario that follows.
>
> I call CQ and someone answers. I respond with the "Insert" key. After
> my response is sent and the radio unkeys, the AFC is no longer checked.
> Now if the calling station is off frequency when they respond with their
> exchange (and I would assume if they were off freq with their initial
> response they'll be off freq with the exchange), I have to use my RIT to
> tune them in. I then QSL their info, send QRZ and magically the AFC box
> is checked again and is active. Am I doing something wrong to make the
> AFC become unchecked during the exchange?
>
> The only thing I could find in the documentation is relative to one of
> the release notes. I believe it is Version 10.09 where the AFC was made
> to turn off if there is an entry in the exchange field. Why?
>
> I'd appreciate any assistance in getting me "tuned back in". This is a
> great product and I simply need to understand it better I'm sure.
>
> Thanks folks.
>
> Bob, N3FR (ex N3IXR)
>
>
>
>
> --
> WWW: http://www.writelog.com/
> Submissions: writelog@contesting.com
> Administrative requests: writelog-REQUEST@contesting.com
> Problems: owner-writelog@contesting.com
>
>
--
WWW: http://www.writelog.com/
Submissions: writelog@contesting.com
Administrative requests: writelog-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems: owner-writelog@contesting.com
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