[UK-CONTEST] WT vs N1MM

[Stewart Baker]

On Mon, 20 Nov 2006 01:49:32 -0500, uk-contest-request at contesting.com wrote:
> Send UK-Contest mailing list submissions to
>
> uk-contest at contesting.com
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/uk-contest
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> uk-contest-request at contesting.com
>
> You can reach the person managing the list at
> uk-contest-owner at contesting.com
>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of UK-Contest digest..."
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. WT v N1MM (was Re:  1.8 MHz Contest G3SJJ) (G3SJJ)
> 2. Re: Macs, PCs& Linux (Jonathan G0DVJ)
> 3. Re: WT v N1MM (John MacLean MMOCCC)
> 4. Re: RSGB 160M Test - GU4YOX (Phil GJ4CBQ)
> 5. Re: WT v N1MM (was Re: 1.8 MHz Contest G3SJJ) (Peter Bowyer)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Sun, 19 Nov 2006 23:09:16 +0000
> From: G3SJJ
> Subject: [UK-CONTEST] WT v N1MM (was Re:  1.8 MHz Contest G3SJJ)
> Cc: uk-contest at contesting.com
> Message-ID:
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> 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
>
>
Chris,

I tried WT for the first time at MD4K this year, also my first Multi/Multi 
(quite a combination)!. I found WT easy to pick up and robust, always coming up 
clean from the very few computer problems we had.
Having used N1MM for some time, I tend to agree with your comments re Call 
entry, and in particular the Bandmaps.
I will probably stick with N1MM, as it suits the style of contesting I do from 
home ( 50/50 Run/S&P) , but keep current on WT for the bigger stuff.

Stewart G3RXQ