[SD-User] ref Keying

Tue Feb 23 04:32:48 PST 2010

Just noting the various comments.  I use the Microham 2 with built in Winkey
and it is a brilliant interface with no problems whatsoever. No RFI even
with the Linear amp on.  It does all modes including Data and is the perfect
single interface unit and used by several station around Norwich.
The only mod which I did was the decoupling capacitor between the USB
connector screen and the DB37 screen (official Microham mod)
It at least contains everything in the one box.
Strange that you had such a poor experience with it.
73
Malcolm G3PDH

-----Original Message-----
From: sd-user-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:sd-user-bounces at contesting.com]
On Behalf Of Rob - G4LMW
Sent: 20 February 2010 13:08
To: sd-user at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [SD-User] ref Keying

John

Thanks for the kind offer.... I'd rather borrow your QTH though! - another 
thumping signal in the last CC.

As I said, I have had no issues at all with PC keying - maybe I am just 
lucky. As it happens, I sold the Microkeyer II yesterday. It belonged to the

club so I was just trying it for myself (my Orion happened to come with the 
Microham cable). Like you, the main reason for trying the Miocroham gear was

that it purported to do everything (incl datamodes).

If I start having keying problems, I'll look at the WinKey. It does look 
like excellent value.

Not wishing to tempt fate, but I wonder WHY I have no CW keying issues???

73, Rob
G4LMW
http://www.G4LMW.co.uk

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Muzyka" <g4rcg at yahoo.co.uk>
To: <sd-user at contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 20, 2010 6:31 AM
Subject: [SD-User] ref Keying

Hi Rob,
I agree with Paul fully about keying in Windows, I have used winkeys 1 & 2 
and am now using the Winkeyer USB box which is really reliable and like Paul

says intergrates with all looging and contest programmes I use, they are 
cheap enough to buy but sometimes you get hit with a bit extra if Royal Mail

decide to charge you the VAT element and their handling charge when its 
delivered. I have had lots sent to me to build up straight from the states 
and had a couple where I had to pay extra when it arrived, but its still 
worth it.
As for Microham, I bought last year a Microham II to do all my data and CW, 
and all it did was lock up and send C**P CW as if RF was getting into it, 
got in touch with Microham direct and they told me to do all sorts to it and

they told me they had some issues with RF (if you look at the trouble 
shooting page it is listed there) I dont have any RF issue at all with 
anything else, after a week or more I sent it back to Waters & Stanton, told

them it was not fit for purpose and got my money back. I wont be buying 
another!!!!
So get yourself a Winkey II, if you want to try one I have a Com Port 
Version (I use the USB version now, it has more functions) which you are 
welcome to borrow to try. Contact me via the email address below if you do.
Cheers
John G4RCG
g4rcg at yahoo.co.uk

________________________________
From: "sd-user-request at contesting.com" <sd-user-request at contesting.com>
To: sd-user at contesting.com
Sent: Thu, 18 February, 2010 20:00:03
Subject: SD-User Digest, Vol 86, Issue 8

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Today's Topics:

1. SD and windows keying (DAVID BUTLER)
2. Re: SD and windows keying (Paul O'Kane)
3. Re: SD and windows keying (Rob - G4LMW)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:28:50 +0000 (GMT)
From: DAVID BUTLER <g4asr at btinternet.com>
Subject: [SD-User] SD and windows keying
To: sd-user at contesting.com
Message-ID: <23297.1054.qm at web86503.mail.ird.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Quote: "SD integrates with WinKey to eliminate CW timing issues caused by 
Windows."

I haven't tried this yet but why can't I use SD to drive the built-in keyer 
inside my FT-2000 to eliminate
CW timing issues caused by Windows. Or is it a little bit more complicated 
than this.

I only ask because as far as I can tell Winkey is a stand-alone keyer - and 
theoretically so is the keyer in the FT-2000.
Furthermore I can adjust all sorts of CW parameters within the menu system 
to integrate with SD, can't I?

Also are the CW timing issues caused by all versions of Windows. Is it the 
same with Windows7?

73 David G4ASR

------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:56:29 -0000
From: "Paul O'Kane" <pokane at ei5di.com>
Subject: Re: [SD-User] SD and windows keying
To: <sd-user at contesting.com>
Message-ID: <51A84E91B7264E7DA4120C566B349B8C at paul>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="Windows-1252";
reply-type=original

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "DAVID BUTLER" <g4asr at btinternet.com>

> why can't I use SD to drive the built-in keyer inside my
> FT-2000 to eliminate CW timing issues caused by Windows.

Because each rig tends to have a different set of commands
to control keying - a bit like rig control, only more variable.

The main advantage of WinKey is that it is supported by all
major contest loggers, and it is truly integrated in that
it returns its status to the control software at all times.
You can stop its keying instantly by touching a paddle, and
then continue sending manually at the same speed.

WinKey is embedded in all microHAM keyers.

There's an internal keyer in my Icom Pro3, but I wouldn't
consider using it instead of WinKey.

> Also are the CW timing issues caused by all versions of
> Windows. Is it the same with Windows7?

Yes and Yes, but you may be lucky with your PC's setup or
configuration. From my point of view, I don't want any
hiccups in my keying - other stations might think I'm
causing them :-)

73,
Paul EI5DI

------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:11:29 -0000
From: "Rob - G4LMW" <g4lmw at btconnect.com>
Subject: Re: [SD-User] SD and windows keying
To: <sd-user at contesting.com>
Message-ID: <4C32F1C9AC4942678058652F0BE20370 at rob>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original

I've never actually experienced any keying issues with direct keying
(running XP SP1, SP2 then SP3) using SD or any other software.

However, I did try a Micoham MKII but all it did was generate noise across
all bands so that was quickly removed.

I have the Microkeyer, in its box, barely used if anyone wants to make a
sensible offer, given that it is virtually new!

73, Rob
G4LMW
http://www.G4LMW.co.uk

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "DAVID BUTLER" <g4asr at btinternet.com>
To: <sd-user at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2010 11:28 AM
Subject: [SD-User] SD and windows keying

> Quote: "SD integrates with WinKey to eliminate CW timing issues caused by
> Windows."
>
>
> I haven't tried this yet but why can't I use SD to drive the built-in
> keyer inside my FT-2000 to eliminate
> CW timing issues caused by Windows. Or is it a little bit more complicated
> than this.
>
> I only ask because as far as I can tell Winkey is a stand-alone keyer -
> and theoretically so is the keyer in the FT-2000.
> Furthermore I can adjust all sorts of CW parameters within the menu system
> to integrate with SD, can't I?
>
> Also are the CW timing issues caused by all versions of Windows. Is it
> the same with Windows7?
>
> 73 David G4ASR
> _______________________________________________
> SD-User mailing list
> SD-User at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/sd-user

------------------------------

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