[ct-user] CW, CT and the FT1000MP

[Jim White, K4OJ]

I have yet to find a keying or networking problem that is not cured on of
these three (or a combination thereof)

add ferrite close to the "smart" box - if there are two "smart" boxes a
ferrite close to each to negate the antenna action of that jumper.

make sure you have a common ground for the rig and computer...across the
back of the operating desk we have a wide strip of copper shim/flashing
material....whenever a new piece of equipment needs to be added to the
ground system a screw is driven through the buss into the wood below it and
the wire or strap is under the head of that screw...

look at the routing of your cabling - sometimes proximity to a piece of rf
carrying coax ca n be avoided by routing that cable to the computer via a
different path

I use older (cheap) computers with IRQ's available for additional comm
ports...last weekend they allowed three computers and a fourth packet spot
sucker to be networked along with two of the transceivers (did not have an
interface for the third) to the tune of 5472 QS)s...

It is so great knowing that you need a guy on another band and having the
ability to go there with a couple of key strokes...perhaps I am just showing
my age - I never had to deal with plug in coils but sure threw my share of
bandswitches and coax switches!

"automation rules"

OJ



----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Carrubba KA2D" <ka2d@arrl.net>
To: "Scott Nichols" <snichols@mvosprey.com>; <ct-user@contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2002 7:33 AM
Subject: Re: [ct-user] CW, CT and the FT1000MP


> Scott
>
> I had similar problem... my cure was to add a snap on ferrite bead (
available
> from radio shack) with one turn on the key line from computer to MP. Mine
is on
> the MP side..
>
> I still have some more RFI proofing, but this got me running on CW up to a
> KW..there is still some intermittent shuddering on high power, but all is
OK as
> I usually contest on low power.
>
> FYI, my antennas are close to my house on a very small lot 50x100. I use a
> tubular tower with muliband yagi at 42ft and 80/40/30 Inverted V dipole at
> 35ft..
>
> CU -Tom KA2D
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Scott Nichols" <snichols@mvosprey.com>
> To: <ct-user@contesting.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2002 1:47 PM
> Subject: [ct-user] CW, CT and the FT1000MP
>
>
> > 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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