[WriteLog] TUNE command suggestions

[Dick Green]

OK, you asked for comments:

1. A shortcut key would be nice, but there are *many* other WL functions
that need shortcut keys, too. A good work around is to find a shareware
keyboard remapping package with a macro feature. Then you can define any key
you want for TUNE (and lots of other WL functions.) I use Keyboard Remapper,
available at http://www.dev-labs.com. Not the easiest package to use, but
it's adequate. I haven't felt the need to create a macro for TUNE, but I
have macros for stereo/mono, headphone toggle, split tx/keyboard context,
switch radios, work, log, etc. *Very* handy.

2. Not so sure that it's a good idea to make assumptions about switching
modes before and after TUNE. It's not that much work to hit the buttons on
the front of the radio.

3. What you really want is 50-70 WPM *and* element spacing that results in a
1:3 duty cycle. Much less wear and tear on the amp. Also, a well-defined
duty cycle allows you to compute the actual plate and grid current (readings
will be about 1/3 the key-down value.) Back when I used an Amp International
LK-500ZC amp for the second radio, I had an old Heathkit programmable keyer
in parallel with the W5XD+ box. The keyer element spacing and WPM were
adjusted for tuning. I also used a peak-reading output meter, which gives
you the actual power output even when the amp is running at 1:3 duty cycle
(an average-reading meter will read about 1/3 the actual output.) I suppose
pre-defined speed and spacing parameters for TUNE would be a nice
enhancement, but I can think of other features that are more important (like
being able to adjust CW speed on the second radio without having to switch
to it!)

4. A tap of the paddle *does* turn off TUNE, at least with the W5XD+ box
(not sure about PC Generates CW.) Tapping any key turns it off, too,
although there was a bug a while back that prevented these from working
correctly. I think they didn't work until you used the up-arrow or
down-arrow to switch radios. Check the reflector archives. A timer would be
nice, but I think that's gilding the lily: if the op can't remember to turn
it off in time, perhaps he shouldn't be playing with high-power devices!
Again, I think there are more important features in the queue.

73, Dick WC1M

> -----Original Message-----
> From: writelog-admin@contesting.com
> [mailto:writelog-admin@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Georgek5kg@aol.com
> Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2002 12:35 PM
> To: writelog@contesting.com
> Subject: [WriteLog] TUNE command suggestions
>
>
> WL Version 10.32 introduced a TUNE command.  It is in the Radio
> Menu, and can
> be activated by Alt-R-U.  In the CW mode, it turns on a key-down
> carrier.  In
> SSB, it does nothing, except that the carrier will be turned on when the
> radio is switched to CW.  TUNE is turned off by hitting the Esc key.
>
> I use the TUNE command to supply a key-down carrier to manualy
> tune an amp,
> so the addition of TUNE to WL was a welcome addition.  (Yes, I know that
> on-the-air amp tuning is verboten, but I do it anyway - after
> presetting the
> amp's dip and load controls, of course.)
>
> I am suggesting the following enhancements to the TUNE command, and would
> like opinions of them:
>
> 1.)  Have a single shortcut key activate TUNE, such as Alt-U or
> some other
> unused Alt or Ctrl command.  When I am ready to have TUNE turned
> on, I find
> it awkward to have to select it with a mouse or use the two step Alt-R-U
> keystrokes.
>
> 2.)  If in SSB, first have TUNE cause the radio switch to CW and
> then apply
> the carrier.  When TUNE is turned off, put the radio back into SSB.
>
> 3.)  For manual amp tuning, have a TUNE option of applying high
> speed dits
> (say, 50 wpm) instead of steady key-down.  I envision a small
> TUNE Window in
> which the operator would select the Key-Down or High-Speed-Dits Option.
> (Using high speed dits saves wear and tear on the finals when tuning.)
>
> 4.)  In addition to ESC being used for turning TUNE off, make it
> so that a
> tap of the paddle will also turn it off.  A further option could be the
> additon of a timer in the TUNE Window that would set the number
> of seconds
> TUNE would be activated before being automatically shut off.
>
> I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on these ideas.
>
> 73, Geo...
>
> George I. Wagner, K5KG
> Productivity Resources LLC
> 941-312-9450
> 941-312-9460 fax
> 201-415-6044 cell
>
>
>
>
>
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