[SD-User] V18.07 Released

[Paul O'Kane]

V18.07  30 August 2015

YO DX Contest:
     As with the ARI DX contest (see V18.04), some
     users reported problems with YO district codes
     being logged in subsequent QSOs with non-YO
     stations. In turn, it is not possible to reload
     any logs concerned without first editing them to
     replace spurious district codes with spaces.

     I believe this is now fixed (I was wrong last
     time).

CW Open.
     The callsign reference file CWOPEN.LST has been
     updated, and the format has been changed so that
     SD correctly pre-fills members names on a callsign
     match.

CVA Contest:
     Fixed display of points for each QSO.

Ohio QSO Party - OQP.
     Updated for 2015 rules change - to log RST but
     not serials.

South Carolina QSO Party.
     Added support for both sides, but with no direct
     support for 6m or data modes.

WinKey - Dot/Dash Memory and Other Updated Options:
     If you don't use paddles, whether single or dual-lever,
     this section may not be of interest.

     Note that SD's control commands for WinKey work only on
     standalone units.  For microHAM devices with integrated
     WinKey chips, the only way to change WinKey settings
     is with the microHAM control panel.  This is because
     microHAM devices discard control commands from all
     contest and station loggers.

     SD's MEMORY command (new in this version, and applicable
     to WinKey only) toggles dot/dash memory (I'll call it DDM)
     ON or OFF - enabled/disabled if you prefer.  SD's default
     has always been ON. The STATUS command displays WinKey's
     current settings - but not for microHAM devices.

     The difference (for single-paddle keys) is easy to
     demonstrate, especially at slow speeds.  Use SD's
     MINWPM command to define WinKey's minimum speed as 5 WPM
     (this is not possible with earler versions of SD), and
     use the pot or keyboard to set the speed this speed.
     Start a dash, and let go immediately (a quick tap only).
     Before the dash ends, tap (and let go) the dot "side"
     of the paddle.  If WinKey sends the dot after the dash
     has finished, DDM is enabled, otherwise it is disabled.
     There is NO advantage with single-lever paddles, indeed
     with ANY paddles, in having DDM disabled.  When enabled,
     sending and timing is easier - leading to fewer mistakes.
     Otherwise, a common mistake is to send "O" rather than
     "Q", or "M" rather than "K". As already mentioned, SD's
     default setting is ON, but the MEMORY command lets you
     experiment with the "harder" OFF option.

     In effect, with DDM, keying is more tolerant of timing
     errors - in particular, when the dot key is pressed
     (or tapped) early.  It has minimal effect on dashes
     being tapped early, because our natural inclination is
     to hold dashes for longer, simply because they are
     longer. However, dash memory can still be demonstrated
     at slow speeds. Tap (and let go) the dot key and,
     before the dot has completed, tap the dash key.  With
     DDM the dash is played. Again, DDM "covers up" timing
     errors where a dot (usually) is pressed or tapped early
     - before completion of a dash element.  On the other
     hand, DDM cannot correct errors due to a "late" press
     or tap.

     With dual-paddle keys there are additional factors to
     consider. Winkey supports three standard options, or
     modes, using SD's IAMBICA, IAMBICB and ULTIMATIC
     commands. Note that "Iambic B" and "Accu-Keyer" modes
     are identical for all practical purposes. All three
     modes relate to what happens when the paddles are
     squeezed and held (this is clearly not relevant to
     single-paddle keys).

     When the paddles are squeezed, both Iambic A and
     Iambic B send alternating dots and dashes, with the
     first element (dot or dash) dependent on which
     paddle was closed first.  In mode A, the keyer
     completes the element being sent when the paddles
     are released.  In mode B, the keyer sends an
     additional, opposite, element to the one being sent
     at the instant both paddles are released.  This
     feature is NOT related in any way to DDM.

     Ultimatic mode differs from the two Iambic modes in
     that, when the paddles are squeezed, the element
     corresponding to whichever paddle is last to make
     contact is repeated continuously until the "squeeze"
     ends.  In action, it's very similar to single-lever
     keying, except that there is no need to release the
     dot paddle when dashes are generated, and vice-versa.

     The same DDM benefits, described for single-lever
     paddles apply with Ultimatic - the greater tolerance
     for (early) timing  errors when sending characters
     that are not amenable to continuous squeezing - for
     example "Q" or "K".  With DDM, the letter "Q" may be
     formed by pressing and holding the dash paddle, and
     momentarily tapping/squeezing the dot paddle AT ANY
     TIME while the second dash is being sent, then
     releasing the dash paddle while the final dash is
     being sent.  With no DDM, the dot paddle must be
     pressed when the second dash ends.  This is easily
     verified with SD. Ultimatic users can not easily
     switch to either Iambic mode.

     With Iambic A, DDM permits the insertion of, say,
     a dot by tapping the dot paddle while continuously
     pressing the dash paddle. The letter "Q" may be
     formed by pressing and holding the dash paddle, and
     momentarily tapping/squeezing the dot paddle at any
     time while the second dash is being sent, then
     releasing the dash paddle while the final dash is
     being sent.  This is handy when calling CQ.

     This does NOT work without DDM. It is still
     possible to insert a dot while continuously
     pressing the dash paddle, but only when the dot
     paddle is held/squeezed until after the second
     dash has completed - otherwise the result is the
     letter "O".  In this respect, as with single-lever
     paddles, there is NO advantage in using Iambic A
     mode with DDM disabled. When enabled, the result
     is more tolerance with timing - and fewer mistakes.

     Iambic B, or Accu-Keyer, mode is a little different.
     The "extra" dot or dash element which appears after
     a "squeeze" is often confused with Dot/Dash memory,
     but it is nothing of the sort. It is simply the one
     feature that distinguishes Iambic B from Iambic A.
     The presence, or otherwise, of DDM still makes a
     difference.  This may be verified by trying the
     letter K.  With DDM, the dot paddle can be tapped
     (and released) at any time while the first dash is
     sending, and the letter K will be formed.  Without
     DDM, the dot paddle must still be pressed at the
     time of completion of the first dash, otherwise the
     result is M.  Once again, there is no advantage in
     using either Iambic mode without DDM. All users are
     likley to have fewer mistakes with DDM enabled due
     to greater timing tolerances.

     Again, all that has been decribed may be verified
     with WinKey and SD at slow speeds - 5 wpm is
     recommended.

     There is a final issue that is relevant. WinKey, and
     perhaps other keyers, use a Switchpoint parameter to
     control dot/dash memory. Here is the description
     from the WinKey manual -

       "(Switchpoint) controls when Winkey will start looking
       for a new paddle press after sensing the current one.
       If there is not enough delay the keyer will send
       unwanted dits or dahs, if there is too much delay it
       bogs you down because you can't get ahead of the keyer.
       The default value is one dit time (50) and is adjustable
       in percent of a dit time. Faster operators report a
       setting somewhat less than default is more pleasing. If
       the paddle sensitivity is set to zero, dit and dah
       paddle memory is disabled."


     I believe that, with the exception of the first and
     last sentences in that paragraph, everything else is
     wrong - and indicates a lack of understanding of the
     basic function and purpose of DDM - even though the
     author/designer has made provision for it.

     It seems to me that DDM should be ON or OFF, with
     no in-between, but perhaps I'm the one who doesn't
     have a full grasp of the issues? In any case, when
     DDM is enabled in SD, WinKey's Switchpoint parameter
     is set to its minimum "ON" value 10 - meaning that
     any tap on a paddle after the opposite element has
     been playing for a time corresponding to one fifth
     of a dot will be "remembered".

     Many operators use dual-lever keys without ever
     intentionally squeezing the paddles.  In effect,
     they are using the keys as single-lever devices.
     In these circumstances the keyer mode, whether
     Iambic A or B, or Ultimatic, has no relevance. The
     only parameter that still makes a difference is DDM,
     and I maintain that it should ALWAYS be enabled.
     It seems to me that iambic keying is a solution
     looking for a problem.  Single-lever users can
     confidently use any keyer or paddles - regardless
     of the keyer mode. On the other hand, dual-padddle
     users are confined to their individual mode of choice.
     Yes, there may be benefits in terms of a reduction
     in hand/finger movements with certain characters but
     there is also more potential for errors.  Instead of
     just left and right (the only two options with
     single-lever keys), we have, in addition, squeeze
     left first, and squeeze right first.

     If in doubt please get, or try, a single-lever
     paddle. Mine is the Begali HST II, one of their
     less expensive models.

     It's not generally realised that it's harder to
     manufacture a good single-lever paddle than a good
     dual-lever version. The difficulty arises due to
     the need to center a single paddle between the
     dot and dash contacts - with no mechanical play,
     and with no unwanted elements being sent due to
     contact bounce at low tensions and contact spacing.

     Most single-lever paddles have a central "stop"
     post which solves the contact bounce problem.
     However, they typically require an intermediate
     "lever" arrangement between the paddle and the
     contact points - which can lead to imprecision
     and a need for precise adjustments to minimise
     play. The Begali HST II uses an ingenious cam
     arrangement which does away with stop posts and
     intermediate levers, and has zero mechanical play.
     Do yourself a favour and try one - you'll soon
     appreciate why single-lever paddles are generally
     preferred in high-speed sending competitions.
______________________________________________

When you install a new version of SD, or when you
change to Windows 10, you may have to adjust the
size of the default window to fill your screen.
If necessary, do this for both SD and SDCHECK.

Click on the SD icon, at the top LHS of SD's window
and select Properties, then Font.  If you have use
a widescreen (16:9) monitor, select the Lucida Console
font.  For a 4:3 monitor, select the Consolas font
(not available on XP).  Then choose whatever size of
font you prefer.  SD's window expands or contracts in
direct proportion to the chosen font size.

If you find bugs in V18.07, please send the details
to sduser at contesting.com. Older versions are not
supported, so please confirm that the problem exists
in V18.07.

Please let me have your suggestions for changes or
additions, or support for new contests.

73,
Paul EI5DI