[Mldxcc] WriteLog v10, Windows 2000 and USERPORT.ZIP Freeware

[Rick Tavan]

Gee, Ron, I didn't think it was such a big deal. One of my motivations 
for switching from tr to WriteLog was to get away from the hassle of 
dual boot. I use Win 2000 Pro now for everything and never have to 
reboot in order to run a contest or submit a log or to switch back and 
forth between casual contesting and general computer use. I got userport 
up and running in about ten minutes (including locating it on the Web, 
downloading, installing and configuring) and I key my radios from the 
LPT port. The only problem is some slight choppiness on the generated CW 
when the CPU is busy with network I/O. It was tolerable even during the 
spotting onslaught of last year's SS. I don't hesitate to recommend it.

Other people have had success keying via the serial port, allegedly 
using the same port they use for rig control. I can't vouch for that 
because I haven't tried it but it sounds neat - you wouldn't even need 
userport if you can make that work. I suspect it requires a real serial 
port, though, not a USB emulation.

73,

/Rick N6XI

Ron wrote:

> WriteLog v10, Windows 2000 and using LPT port for CW keying.
> I'm posting this as a warning to all concerned. I installed Writelog 
> v10.00
> on my Windows 2000 notebook. When starting up a new contest and using
> the SETUP > PORTS menu selection the option to select using LPT ports is
> grayed out. For those of you that use the common LPT port cable (same as
> TRLog) to key your radio for CW, this is an important feature to go 
> without.
> Now the support info on the WriteLog SUPPORT page warns you that this is
> not supported because of the additional port address protection used by
> Windows 2000 (and XP). They give you two options, one is to use a 
> Freeware
> program called USERPORT.zip The other is a commercial product you can
> (gulp) purchase.