[WriteLog] Re: CW questions

[ad6e at inreach.com]

I sort of giggle when I hear folks complain about having to type an extra
keystroke here or there. Like, what else are you doing while waiting for
that next character to come in? I suppose it does save a couple of
milliseconds and it may reduce the risk of carpel tunnel problems .. but
my logging method has always been KISS!  Use the minimum number of F keys
and understand the basics well, rather than try to memorize complicated
but rarely used special keys or functions.

I personally prefer NOT to log a QSO automatically. I don't mind hitting
an extra key for that function so that I can scan for errors first. I
don't make that many errors, but I feel much more comfortable and error
recovery is easier if caught before getting logged.

The timing of things happening should be under my control, and that's a
very important thing for me. I'd revert to paper if my logger started
sending an exchange after typing the fourth character of a call!

That said, I support the push for run/s&p modes... especially if I have
the option to turn it off if I think it's hurting more than helping.

73,Al  AD6E



> Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2004 10:41:14 -0700
> From: Dave Hachadorian <k6ll at juno.com>
> Subject: Re: [WriteLog] CW questions
> To: writelog at contesting.com
> Message-ID: <20040810.104114.404.0.k6ll at juno.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
>
> On Mon, 9 Aug 2004 23:30:16 -0000 "Clive Whelan"
> <clive.whelan at btinternet.com> writes:
>
>> In my view the addition of a mode switch would make WL truly the
>> most functional (CW) logger bar none
>
> I don't see a mode switch as a major deal. I think the
> recent addition of the %L embedded command greatly
> enhances S&P functionality by automatically logging
> a qso upon striking the "s&p exchange" key. When
> switching from CQ to S&P mode, you just have to
> remember to switch from F2/INSERT/PLUS to
> MYCALL/S&PEXCHANGE, not a big deal, especially
> if you place the latter two keys next to each other.
>
>
> What I do see as a big deal though is the large number
> of keystrokes required by Writelog, as compared to TR.
> It is primarily this issue that has kept me from abandoning
> TR for ssb and cw. Compare the administrative (*) keystrokes
> for TR and WL in the CW ARRL Sweepstakes:
>
>
> TR (two administrative (*) keystrokes)
>
> *ENTER (sends cq)
> type W1AW (exchange is sent when 4th letter is typed)
> type 247B27CT
> *ENTER (sends qsl msg and logs qso)
>
>
>
> WL (eight administrative (*) keystrokes)
>
> *F2 (sends cq)
> type W1AW
> *SPACEBAR
> *INSERT (sends exchange)
> type 247
> *SPACEBAR
> type B
> *SPACEBAR
> *SPACEBAR
> type 27
> *SPACEBAR
> type CT
> *PLUS (sends qsl msg and logs qso)
>
> It would also be nice to have WL send cw on more than
> one COM or LPT port, to avoid having to do the keyline
> a/b switching for so2r. An internal keyer would be
> nice too, to avoid having to do the a/b switching on
> the paddle or keyer.
>
> I must say though, that WL's SSB so2r
> switching functionality, with the stereo soundcard,
> is elegant. It's almost worth switching to WL on SSB
> for that, despite all the extra keystrokes.
>
> Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
> Big Bear Lake, CA