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

Mon Nov 20 04:10:11 EST 2006

... and even as I type, WT 3.6.0 has been released with this bug fixed :-)

Peter

On 20/11/06, Peter Bowyer <peter at bowyer.org> wrote:
> 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
> > >>
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > >
> > >
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> >
>
>
> --
> Peter Bowyer
> Email: peter at bowyer.org
>

-- 
Peter Bowyer
Email: peter at bowyer.org