[WriteLog] MicroHam USB Interface Problem with CW

[Georgek5kg at aol.com]

In a message dated 9/15/2004 5:47:12 PM Mountain Standard Time,  
k3sv at direcway.com writes:

Running  XP and just installed the MicroHam USB interface to the FT1000MP. 
Are there  any special things I should know about the "ports" setup in Writelog, 
and, do  I connect the PTT line to the MP in addition to the DB9 and the CW  
connections? I am getting periodic garbled/raspyCW. I have the Radio Comm and  
the CW on the same port. I have switched several settings and it seems to 
have  cleaned up a little but I'm not sure that I have things correct. I'm mainly 
 looking for CW keying via the USB port through the MicroHam  interface.



Bill,
 
I have recently implemented the microHam USB interface on my XP machine  with 
WL and a Pro2.  After some confusion by during the installation, I  finally 
got it working with the help of Jozef, OM7ZZ.  He has been very  responsive to 
my questions via email.
 
Here is what I did:
 
1.)  The microHam USB interface installed on my com5.  I went  into Control 
Panel/System/Device Manager and reassigned it to com1.  (I  just tried to 
re-figure out how I actually did this, but could not quickly  figure it out.  If 
you can't find out how to do it, let me know, and I will  do more head 
scratching.)
 
Earlier, I tried reassigning com5 to com1 in writelog.ini, but I could not  
make this work.  This is why I then reassigned the microHam device  from com5 
to com1.  
 
2.)  In WL, I made the following settings in SETUP PORTS:
CW and radio control both on com1
All mode PTT on CW port RTS - checked
CW keyer type - PC Generates
CW PTT - On LPT pin 16/COMM RTS
 
My earlier confusion during the installation was due to imprecise  microHam 
instatllaton instructions that I led me to try to  install the special driver 
for radio control and cw keying  on separate com ports.  I could not get 
working properly, so  I contacted OM7ZZ by email.  He advised me that that special  
driver was not necessary, and to simply use the WL SETUP as describein in 2.)  
above.  
 
 
Now it works like a charm.  Nice sounding CW with no stuttering.   Radio 
control is perfect.  It is great being able to do radio control and  CW from a 
single USB port, and using the same com port.
 
I notice that the computer causes the radio to key four  slow dahs during the 
process of booting up WL with microHam  connected.  Once WL boots up, the 
radio keys normally.  If  your break-in is on, these four dahs will go out over 
the air, so it's probably  best to keep break-in off when booting up WL.
 
Jozef says that micorHam MUST be connected during WL bootup, as the com  port 
is virtually configured during that process.   In other  words, if you first 
boot up WL, and then connect microHam to the USB port, it  will not work.
 
You asked if you need the PTT line connected to your 1000MP.  Well, I  don't 
know for sure, but I doubt it.
 
Let me know if can help further.
 
73, George, K5KG