[ct-user] CW, CT and the FT1000MP

[John Scott]

Wow!  I thought I was the only one with this problem.  I first set up LPT as
a keying port for the CQWW CW contest in late November, 2001.  I'm not a
good CW operator, but I am working on it, and I thought the contest would be
a good way to force myself to improve.  (It did--another story.)

I have a Ten-Tec Omni VI+.  It is on the second story of a house which isn't
so great for finding an earth ground!!  I also have a linear.   I experience
the same problem periodically.  I'm almost certain it is related to RF
running around, since it seems to be worse on some bands when using my
five-band vertical.  (Antenna challenged, too--yet another story!)  I
learned to stop the lockup by turning the RF power level way down till the
lockup releases.  I was able to run 100 watts with widely spaced
intermittent problems, but at full linear power, it was almost a sure thing
on 40 meters.  The SWR rises towards 7.000Mhz, and it seemed more sensitive
there, so I shut the linear down when on 40m.

I surmise it is an RF problem with the LPT port interacting with CT.  The
fact that it happens with CT and not others I can only presume may be in how
the software interacts with the LPT port.  It appears to "latch" under
certain conditions.  K1EA may know more about the interface used in his
software to drive the LPT port.  At this juncture, "its just one of those
things that make life interesting."

      --John Scott,  K8YC


Scott Nichols wrote:

> I have an equipment problem that is driving me nuts...This reflector
> seemed appropriate as another CT User might have experienced the same
> thing...
>
> My station, in part, consists of a FT1000MP, interfaced with my computer
>
> via the serial port (COM1) for rig control, and via LPT1 for the CW
> interface...Have old Heathkit external keyer and Bencher paddles going
> to the second paddle input on the 1000MP...I use CT as my contesting
> software...
>
> My problem...When using CT to send CW, I am limited to VERY low power or
>
> my 1000mp TX keys and locks on...The only way to unkey the rig is to
> turn the RF OUT knob way down...(I'm talking about 10 or 15 watts on 15
> metres, ugggggg!!)...The only band that seems unaffected is 10 metres,
> where I can crank the amp to full power with no problems...
>
> Simple problem of RF getting into the cabling between the rig and
> computer, right ? That's what I thought too...After replacing all
> cabling with shielded cabling etc etc, the problem is still
> there...Here's the quirk...I can use other programs (LOG-EQF for
> example) to send CW via the keyboard and same computer-to-rig
> interfacing with no problems...Full power on all bands works OK...
>
> In addition, the lock-on problem only happens after I first use CT to
> send CW...Here's a typical scenario that I tested a dozen times last
> night to be sure it wasn't intermittent...
>
> -Turn rig ON with computer OFF...All OK...Can send CW with paddles at
> full power...
> -Turn computer ON without CT running, all OK...Can use full power with
> paddles, and LOG-EQF will send via the keyborad OK at full power...
> -Start CT, use paddles to send CW, all OK...Hit F4 on keyboard to send
> my call, and the TX keys and locks until I turn RF OUT down to minimal
> level...Now, even using the external paddles will lock the TX on...
> -Close CT, paddles still lock TX on...
> -Open LOG-EQF, can now use either the paddles or keyboard to send CW...
>
> BOTTON LINE...Can't use CT to send CW via the keyboard at any more than
> 15 watts!! (made for fun last weekend I'll tell you!!...Wife's dream
> almost came true, she thought I was going to turf everything out the
> basement window Saturday afternoon)...
>
> What am I missing here ? I realize that it is an RF problem, but why
> only when running CT ? If it happened when I was using other programs to
>
> send CW, I could understand...Is there something in CT that I have set
> wrong ? (I do NOT use CT for rig control, therefore no COM port settings
>
> are used in CT SETUP)...OR...Is there a menu setting in the FT1000MP
> that could be fouling things up ?...The ONLY time this problem arises is
>
> when I start CT...( No slight against the program, it likely isn't even
> the program's fault)
>
> Again, I have used shielded cabling and tried torroids everywhere etc
> etc etc...
>
> Any help would be GREATLY appreciated...It's baffling me...Maybe
> something to do with using the LPT port for CW keying with CT ? Can I
> use the COM port to key the FT1000MP from CT?
>
> 73, Scott VE1OP
>
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