[WriteLog] WL CW Keying Enhancement

[David Sher]

You don't have to get so fancy.  Any constant character spacing from 1.2 to 1.5 would improve readability greatly.  I can do this on my MFJ492 keyer; would like to do this with my ICOM746PRO internal memories.  Any ideas?
 
Dave W9LYA
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. S. Freud 



----- Original Message ----
From: Eric Hilding <dx35 at hilding.com>
To: writelog at contesting.com
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2006 9:35:19 PM
Subject: [WriteLog] WL CW Keying Enhancement


*** SSB Operators please press your DELETE key  ***

I've been wanting to make this suggestion for a long time, and finally getting around to it.  During this past Field Day, the need became even more apparent.

Computer generated keying is great, but with certain combinations of letters, can create many unnecessary requests for repeat of a callsign at higher speeds (not every CW op on the planet always copies well).

Part of my Field Day time was spent at the local CDF (California Division of Forestry) EOC facilities where I took my TS-480S & WriteLog to help make some CW QSOs for them.  The callsign used was W6HUL.

About 15% to 20% of the time, if I called a station, they came back with W6SUL.  Many ops seemed to have difficulty with a "6" and an "H" next to each other.  It became highly frustrating.  Even when I slowed down, the problem was still there much of the time.  If I went to the paddles and included a bit of extra spacing between the 6 and the H, things were better.

Over a year ago I suggested the following mod to Tree for TRlog, but don't know if he incorporated it yet or not since I'm currently using WL for both CW & SSB.

In addition to helping deal with the "6H" problem, over the last year I've notice more ops reverting to the good old fashioned "bug".  Some are very skillful, and some are very QLF.  Personally, I like the keying nuances and rhythmic feel skilled ops bring to the art of CW using a bug, because I used one for so many years.

My friend Jim Neiger, N6TJ, can always tell when I am sending with regular paddles (non-bug) vs. a computer, because I add a little extra spacing between some of the letters.  If I call stations with the paddles, I also notice fewer requests for callsign repeats compared to computer keying (unless they are sharp contesters who recognize my call).

So what is this leading to?

IMHO, we CW ops need the ability to incorporate "differential spacing" into the WL CW Message fields.  Trying to solve the "6H" problem by putting a full space between the 6 and the H doesn't cut the mustard.  It turns out ugly ;-(

Different people with different letter/number combinations in their callsigns need different spacing options.  I don't know if the curly braces are used for anything else in WL, but if so, some other symbols could be used.  I'll just use them here as an example.

Basically, the number 1 (One) would be current normal WL CW keying.  A ".75" would be a shorter spacing, whereas "1.25" would be a longer spacing (between characters/numbers sent).

In my case, I'll ballpark the following example from a WL CW Message line for illustration purposes only:

%C k{1}6{1.25}v{1.2}v{1.3}a

Of course, if no {} curly brackets, regular spacing would apply.  Having the ability to use 3 places past the decimal (i.e., 1.237) would really provide for fine-tuning!

At 35WPM or higher speeds, depending upon a person's callsign makeup, the ability to fine-tune and add subtle differential spacings between the characters/numbers as desired is an extremely valuable enhancement.  Further, it can help get some "uniqueness" back on the CW bands vs. 99% of everyone sounding the same.  Personally, I yearn for the W4KFC, DU7SV, et.al CW fist sounds!

Taking things to the next level, adding the ability to vary the "weighting" and/or shorten or elongate characters being sent would be absolutely incredible.  One could really create a unique non-run-of-the-mill "Electronic Fist" vs. the standard old HO-HUM everybody-sounds-the-same CW being spit out of any computer logging programs on the bands today.

Umh, since I got the royal flame treatment over my past "Crusades" involving other CW enhancements as well as added SSB WL Voice-Keying functionalities, I expect this to be no different.  "Rolls Royce" functionality is not for people who are comfortable with a VW...but that's OK.

Tnx & 73...

Rick, K6VVA

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