[Trlog] TR Log ported to Linux and Winkey support

[Martin Kratoska]

The well-known contest program TR Log (by N6TR) was ported for Linux (by 
W9CF) and is still being developed. However, there are issues with 
Winkey support:

1. The Winkey support module has a problem communicating with the 
buffer. When entering the test macro:

CQ MEMORY F5 = 
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ1234567890ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

is sent only

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTU

and the rest is lost

2. The Winkey support module incorrectly initializes the keyer that has 
SIDETONE permanently ON (both for the key and for the paddle) and cannot 
be turned OFF using commands in the program. The keyer must be switched 
to standalone mode, turn off sidetone and switch back to hostmode. Who 
would want a loud beeping box on the operating desk?

3. The Winkey support module incorrectly initializes a key that has PTT 
permanently on and cannot be turned off using commands in the program. 
This makes QSK impossible to operate. Similar to the previous case, it 
is necessary to switch the key to standalone mode, turn off PTT and 
switch back to host mode.

The Winkey support module is incorrectly de-initialized, after exiting 
the program with such non-functioning Winkey support, the parameters 
remain incorrectly set, it is necessary to switch the key to standalone 
mode, set the parameters and switch back to host mode.

The problem appears with the microHAM DXP interface, which has a 
built-in Winkey version 3.1. With a key of my own design, which is 
compatible with Winkey, the PTT problem can be bypassed - the PTT simply 
does not engage. However, the MicroHAM DXP can also key RTTY (that's why 
I use it) and PTT operation is necessary there.

The solution to problems 2 and 3 is that both sidetone and PTT will have 
their default values OFF. Issue 1 is a pure bug and should be completely 
fixed. It seems that the authors of the program have other priorities 
and Winkey support is apparently not that important to them. That's why 
I have a question: would there be someone who would be able to fix 
Winkey support in terms of fixing the above mentioned issues?

TR Linux sources are here: https://github.com/trlinux/trlinux


73,

Martin, OK1RR