[UK-CONTEST] WT v N1MM (was Re: 1.8 MHz Contest G3SJJ)

Mon Nov 20 01:49:27 EST 2006

Chris

I think you're being a little unfair on WT - it's going to take you a
contest or 3 to get used to any new software. I first used WT at G6PZ
back in May for WPX CW and started to see how good it was - we tried
it at MD4K for IOTA and lately for WW SSB (M/M) and found it
extrememly capable and more importantly, rock-solid in the networking
department. I'd trade a dozen new features for networking which stays
up, and then picks itself up in a trice when unlrelated issues cause
problems.

(For example: a laptop smoked its power supply mid-contest - a
replacement was slotted in mid-contest and in the space of about 10
minutes the log was synchronised and everything was up and running)

The + key problem is a bug in the WInkey support, it was first spotted
by Don G3BJ I believe. The authors are extremely responsive to
questions and I'm sure if you asked on the mailing list you'd be able
to find out the status of the fix for that. There have been a number
of fixes and requests acknowledged since WW SSB, and a new version
will probably be released in the next day or two.

I hope you stick with WT for a bit longer and give it a chance to impress.

Peter G4MJS

On 19/11/06, G3SJJ <g3sjj at btinternet.com> wrote:
> Hi Paul, extremely well thanks. I agree the users numbers of WT are
> rapidly catching up with N1MM, and I recall Simon being the chief
> architect of that in the UK.
>
> Also to Chris WOJ, I moved from K8CC's NA, which was similar to CT, to
> Writelog some 5 years ago and had a real hard time learning it. It was
> initially a diddly mode program which was reluctantly dragged into real
> modes. I think the real benefit of WT is that it came straight from a CT
> environment without the baggage of diddlys, so I probably would have
> taken to it better if I hadn't already gone through the hoops with WL
> and now N1MM.
>
> Having changed to Windows type s/w I was taken aback with the Logging
> and QSO Entry area of WT. Almost a "Chinese" copy as I recall from CT. I
> much prefer the ability to place the Entry section where I want it and
> likewise the Log window. I was also surprised that the Log area doesn't
> show the QRG only Band. Entry area is also very lacking in information,
> beam heading for one. Its very basic and not what I would expect from
> modern s/w. Again some windows are variable in size others aren't, strange.
>
> I am still puzzled about bandmaps. Maybe I haven't learnt it properly
> yet but none of the QSOs I made on S&P appeared on the BM. Also I didn't
> get a 2nd VFO BM but again that could be me.
>
> There is apparently a bug with Wintest and + key. I took out the His
> Call bit just in case but then didn't get Changed Call to work. I ams
> till trying to understand how long it will be before an upgrade comes
> out. It's beginning to look a bit like WL in that respect.
>
> I was gob-smacked that as standard, default CW messages have speed up
> and down in them. An appallingly poor operating technique. Also I see
> that you can alter how many times you send TU QRZ etc before your call
> is sent. Again promulgating bad operating practice. OK, they can be
> taken out, but they shouldn't be there at all!!
>
> Cluster has a separate program, again very odd for modern software. So
> when I use WT with Cluster, I have three separate programs running. WT,
> WTTelnet and AR User.
>
> I found going back to CT type operating hard going and distracting.
> Hitting F1 for CQ, then Ins, Space Bar and +, as opposed to Enter,
> Enter, Enter etc in N1MM.
>
> Perhaps the only saving grace was that WT didn't seem to rely on using
> the mouse so much. To my mind, the mouse and contests are not compatible!!
>
> I am not a "flitter" hence want one program for contesting and one for
> general use. I guess an analogy would be Imperial v Metric. I mentally
> converted several years ago in most measurements and would be happy to
> be 100% Metric. I find it frustrating to see signs saying Junction 100
> YDS or fog warnings of visibility down to 200 yds. I am a simple guy at
> heart and Metric is simple. I know because at school I had to go through
> the stupidity if being able to divide Yards Feet & Inches into Pounds,
> Shillings and Pence.
>
> "Everyone has their own gout" as the French say!!  Chris G3SJJ
>
>
> Paul Beecham wrote:
> >     Hi Chris trust your well,   we will be using Wintest again this year, I
> > think we can equate the value of WT by the number of stations now using it!
> > We were one of the first, now we are amongst the many !!     If any body
> > want's more info about Wintest  see Simon M0CLW.
> > 73  Paul
> > G6PZ      ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Chris Tran" <zl1ct at gm7v.com>
> > To: <uk-contest at contesting.com>
> > Sent: Sunday, November 19, 2006 2:10 PM
> > Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] 1.8 MHz Contest G3SJJ
> >
> >
> >
> >> Hi all
> >>
> >> Chris G3SJJ wrote :
> >>
> >>> Used Wintest in support of the G5W effort next weekend and have to say I
> >>> don't like it. Very much old CT style, log and QSO entry window all one
> >>> and in a fixed position on the screen. Really old hat. No ESM so hands
> >>> needing to wander all over the keyboard. It doesn't handle Winkey well
> >>> at all.
> >>>
> >> Sorry you didn't like WinTest Chris - I think it's the best CW contesting
> >> software to come along for a long time. Maybe I'm not understanding ESM
> >> correctly but I can't see any advantages in it at all. Not sure why your
> >> WT
> >> would have wrong speeds, I think they are fairly accurate (direct LPT
> >> keying, not via WinKey) ?
> >>
> >> All down to how we operate CW individually of course. We've given up on
> >> Writelog and I don't like N1MM - most un-user-friendly software ever !
> >> WinTest looks a bit like good ole CT but is 200% more sophisticated.
> >> Networking is rock-solid and it handles serial number sending better than
> >> most of the other contest logging software.
> >>
> >> Please work GD6IA in CQ WW CW next weekend - using WinTest of course !
> >>
> >> I've recently added more info to my lattice tower ramblings on
> >> www.qsl.net/gm3woj/latticetower.htm
> >>
> >> 73
> >> Chris
> >> GM3WOJ
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> UK-Contest mailing list
> >> UK-Contest at contesting.com
> >> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/uk-contest
> >>
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > UK-Contest mailing list
> > UK-Contest at contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/uk-contest
> >
> >
> _______________________________________________
> UK-Contest mailing list
> UK-Contest at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/uk-contest
>

-- 
Peter Bowyer
Email: peter at bowyer.org