Re: [WriteLog] Function keys

[Jerry Flanders <jeflanders@comcast.net>]

4-5 years ago I developed a single function key system to work on both RTTY 
and CW contesting, both run and S&P modes, and to accomodate CW practice 
using PED (A CW contest training program).

My setup is exactly as Bob describes below, even his exact function key 
usage (F4, F5, etc). It would have saved me a couple years "polishing" my 
setup and ini file if I could have read Bob's notes back then. I see minor 
differences in our ini files, but the functionality seems to be the same.

I recommend this setup. There is no special set of RUN mode or S&P mode 
keys. You simply press a different key to end the QSO in RUN mode (numpad 
+) than you do in S&P mode (kbrd ENTER).

Those wanting to practice with PED or similar software will find the same 
key sequence in use there for routine operations.  CW practice, CW contest, 
RTTY contest - all can use the same function key sequences for routine 
operations. Familiarity is good. A single keyboard template for everything.

It would be nice if Bob's setup could be posted on one of the tutorial 
pages (including a keyboard template)for guys to try out. I think most 
would stick with it.

Of course, typing the call and hitting the space don't apply for RTTY 
contesting, where you just click on the call.

Jerry W4UK

At 13:20 1/31/04, Bob Naumann - N5NJ wrote:
> I find all of this discussion interesting.  I would suspect that most of 
> those who are concerned about this run/s&p business may have come from a 
> TR background.  Those of us who used CT don't generally have the anxiety 
> that some of you guys seem to have over this issue.
>
> For example, over the last nearly 20 years now of using a computer for CW 
> contesting, my memories have always been set up like this:
>
> F1        CQ - Run mode (what other mode would you call CQ in?)
> F2        exchange
> F3        tu qrz
> F4        My callsign
> F5        His callsign
> F6        ?
>
> Oh, and pressing Enter always only logs the QSO.
>
> CT and Writelog (in CT compatibility mode) supports the use of the Ins and 
> + keys on the numeric keypad to assist in running.
>
> The way it works in "Run Mode" is this:
>
> Press F1 call CQ
> Type the Callsign
> Press the spacebar*
> Press that big Ins key which sends F5 and F2 (his call + the exchange)
> Copy his exchange
> Press that big + key which sends F3 and Enter (tu qrz & logs the QSO)
>
> In S&P it's like this:
>
> Type a new callsign
> Press the spacebar*
> Press F4 (sends my call)
> Copy exchange
> Press Ins (or just F2 if you don't want to send his call first)
> Hear a QSL from him
> Press Enter
>
> * Pressing the space bar is a good habit to get into as it positions the 
> cursor where it needs to be to copy the exchange (or like for SS, it moves 
> the cursor to the next field in the exchange).  It also will fill in the 
> exchange for you in certain contests like CQWW (zone), or in most, if not 
> all, contests if you've worked the other station before it will also fill 
> in the exchange based on what you copied previously.  If the station you 
> are going to work is a Dupe, when you press the Spacbar, it also displays 
> the Dupe message to you.  The space bar is also the largest, easiest to 
> find key on the keyboard.  Use it!
>
> All of the function keys only do what they are defined to do.  Their 
> function does not change depending upon what the computer may "think" is 
> going on.  Enter only Enters.  This approach seems so much simpler and 
> easy to deal with especially in conditions with a lack of sleep.  I also 
> will confess that this simpler approach is easier to be away from for a 
> while, and come back to after you've been off for a couple of months 
> dealing with your normal life issues.
>
> I purchased a lifetime subscription to TR years ago, but gave up on it 
> because of this "automation".  Invariably, the computer would think it was 
> in one mode, when I was in the other, and it was the single reason I left 
> TR behind.  Great software, very powerful, and Tree is a brilliant guy, 
> but just not for me.
>
> The reason I mention all of this is that I suspect that there may be 
> others like me, and perhaps some newcomers, who may find this alternate 
> approach simpler/easier/better.
>
> To set Writelog up to do this you need the following entries in the 
> respective sections of your Writelog.INI file:
>
> [Configuration]
> CtCompatibleAccel=YES
> CqFunctionKey=11
> QrzFunctionKey=3
> SendCallExchangeKey=10
>
> [ENTRY]
> SmartEnterKey=0
>
> (SmartEnterKey is the feature that makes the Enter key do different things.)
>
> 73,
> Bob N5NJ...


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