[SD-User] ref Keying

Tue Feb 23 04:42:44 PST 2010

Thanks for the feedback Malcolm

I don't think it would be fair to say that I had a "poor" experience with 
it.

I didn't really give it a fair trial. I didn't purchase it, but just thought 
I would give it a try. As soon as I heard the noise in the RX, I 
disconnected it all and put it back in the box. It now transpires that I 
should have given it its own dedicated power source, rather than share the 
radio PSU.

I am sure that it is fine, but as I said, with my homebrew CW interface and 
Signalink USB, I am OK with what I have.

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

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "g3pdh" <g3pdh at btopenworld.com>
To: "'Rob - G4LMW'" <g4lmw at btconnect.com>; <sd-user at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 12:32 PM
Subject: RE: [SD-User] ref Keying

> 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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>
> End of SD-User Digest, Vol 86, Issue 8
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