[WriteLog] Having Trouble Keying Radio

[James Turle (jturl)]

All,
I am not real computer savvy, and need some help getting this Writelog
10.56C to key my TS850SAT. Operated a couple of contests and ended up
using the memory keyer on the radio for sending.  I am using a IBM T-42
laptop w/ Windows 2000, and understand that Writelog does not support
the LPT1 port. My T-42 came with a USB serial parallel adapter so here
is what I did as a quick fix, before I try the direct-io download. I
took the comm port cable I made with the 560 ohm, 4n33, and 1n4001 in
the male DB 25 connector, and hooked it to a female DB 25, that has a
female DB 9 on the other end that connects to my USB serial parallel
adapter. The other end has the 1/4 inch plug going to the radio. This
should convert the parallel port to a serial port, and unless I am wrong
I should be able to follow the instructions per the manual to get it to
key from a serial port. Well it does not. In the CW & RTTY and Voice
Memory Setup I have messages in F2, F3, and F4. As I try to send once I
have a contest log program up (and yes it's set for cw) nothing. I can
see in in the one pull down that my F keys are sending, but not keying
the radio. On the Port set up screen I have tried different
combinations, and still no luck. I have no external interfaces or keyers
and just trying to get the PC to send through the program. Can someone
tell me what I am doing wrong ? I can even call you on the phone if that
would make communications easier. Let me know. 
 
Tks,
Jim
WA8RCN