[WriteLog] Rig interface advice

[Eric - VE3GSI]

Hi Gary,

Not sure what is meant by the statement you referenced to, but I do have two
Icom 756ProIII's and in the past have owned the original 756Pro and
756ProII. So I know those Icom rigs work just fine with the microHAM Keyer
for full rig control. 

The only two contest modes I work are CW and RTTY, and my previous owned
original microKEYER and now the microKEYER SO2R+ have had no problems
talking with the rigs, computer and WriteLog software via the USB port. 

For RTTY I use the MMTTY plug-in with WL, again without any interface
issues.

For CW I use WL to talk to the built-in K1EL WinKey as well the paddles via
the mH Keyer.

I will leave it others on this reflector to fill you in on Vista and phone
contesting.

It is good to read that Santa is going to be good to you this Christmas. For
me he came early this year and planted a 70 foot metal tree in the backyard
completely decorated with a triband beam. Now I am hoping he drops a whole
bunch of new Q's in my stocking.

Best of Luck,
Eric - VE3GSI.



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gary Senesac AL9A
> 
> I need some free advice from more experienced hands than me.  
> Rumor has it 
> that Santa is going stuff a new laptop into my stocking soon. 
>  Hey dude, I'm 
> getting a Dell!  That's great from a PC stand point (although I'm not 
> looking forward to the Vista learning curve!), but now I need 
> to address rig 
> interface issues.
> 
> The laptop has no serial ports, nor a PCMCIA slot which I 
> currently use with 
> a dual serial card, only USB ports.  Sooo, some new 
> interfacing issues need 
> to be addressed.  I've been doing a little research on the 
> internet and 
> think I've boiled it down to two paths, but looking for 
> advice on which way 
> might be better.
> 
> 1.  Go the USB to serial adapter route.  This would let me 
> continue using my 
> Rigblaster Plus interface, but I would need at least two 
> adapters or a 
> single two port adapter, for keying and rig control.  
> Byterunner has several 
> two port models, but I'm not sure if any of them would handle 
> FSK.  I can't 
> find anything about serial adapters at the Belkin website, so 
> maybe they 
> have discontinued their line?  I have found several different 
> brands of  PC 
> docking devices on the internet, some with a single serial 
> port of unknown 
> ability.  Anybody have any experiences with either the 
> Byterunner serial 
> port adaptors or docking station serial ports?
> 
> 2.  Dig a little deeper into the piggy bank and opt for 
> something like a 
> microKeyer II.  This would surplus the Rigblaster Plus and IC 
> CT-17 level 
> converter, but would make interfacing easier (I think!) by 
> coming directly 
> off a USB port.  The only concern I have here is the fine 
> print a the end of 
> the microKeyer II features description that says:
> 
> Due to differences in features and control protocols among 
> transceivers, the 
> support software (microHAM USB Device Router) may not 
> implement decoding of 
> operating mode and/or frequency, automatic selection of mode, 
> frequency/mode 
> dependent configurations, and/or FSK for all supported radios.
> 
> My radio is an IC-756PRO.  I think this would not be a 
> problem, but not 
> really sure.  Anyone out there with advice please let me know 
> your thoughts.
> 
> Thanks,
> Gary AL9A