Thanks Don and Jeff for such quick responses. I also will send this response
to the
entire group as it appears others may have interest.
Don I have a feeling that in my case Writelog is not "freezing" where it last
heard the
calling station as I almost always had to re-tune (RIT) those stations that
called me
off frequency in the first place. Maybe I have something set wrong?
Thanks again.
Bob, N3FR
Don Hill wrote:
> 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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