[SEDXC] [NFARL] WinKeyer thoughts

[Neal Sulmeyer]

​Good point Mike.  I use the winkey with my FT1000MP for CW and FSK.  

My K3S, IC9100, and SunSDRdx don't need it.

Neal, K4EA

On Wed, 03/04/2020 11:29 AM, Mike - W5JR <w5jr.lists at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
Scott, it all depends on what your goal is. Many of the modern radios today have some way of sending Morse via the CAT interface. As such, most logging/rig control programs can utilize the CAT interface to send CW, including canned messages as used in a contest. As Clark mentions, in the early days, computer timing and the amount of non-contesting programs running impacted the smoothness of sent CW. The WinKeyer and similar products addressed the issue. 
> 
> If your radio doesn’t support (smooth) CW generation via the CAT interface, you likely would want something in between the computer and the radio. The WinKeyer is a reliable way to go. I have one that I acquired for used with my Icom 756Pro years ago. It’s no longer required with my Elecraft or Flex equipment. However, when I use a piece of my “legacy” equipment for a contest that was built prior to CAT CW being implemented, the WinKeyer  comes out for use. 
> 
> The initial N4N GQP Dual Flex Rover Mobile used a WinKeyer for each radio. Flex subsequently implemented a WinKeyer emulator making the physical WinKeyer unnecessary. We carried WinKeyers for backup a couple of years, but no longer as it is a very reliable solution. I’ve operated K3 radios at Field Days without using a WinKeyer. However, be aware that the paddle speed and logger speed are not synchronized. This could be true for other radios. In the Flex, they were able to synchronize them. 
> 
> 
> tnx
> Mike / W5JR
> Alpharetta GA
> 
> 
> > On Mar 4, 2020, at 01:05, Scott Straw " target="_blank"><kb4kbs at gmail.com> wrote:
> > 
> > 
> > CW enthusiasts (especially CW contesters):
> > 
> > Would you say that a WinKeyer Device is a must-have accessory?  Is there a similar item with better features that you would recommend?
> > 
> > Any words of caution or warning regarding using these devices?
> > 
> > 
> > Scott, KB4KBS
> > Roswell, Georgia USA
> > (EM74)
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