[WriteLog] New Install Help

[Ed Gray W0SD]

Hi Jim,

I use a very  basic Rigblaster for the 10 meter contest so I can use 
wavefiles.  For me in Writelog under port settings I have to have All 
Mode PTT on cw Port R1 checked.  Under CW PTT I have none checked.  I 
have to have my rigblaster switch in a certain position or the rig keys 
up as you describe.  Since you have a different Rigblaster this may be 
of no help.

IMHO as contesters most of us are blessed with two hands which limits 
what we can do with the mouse as our hands are tied up doing other 
things.  Also in most cases using a mouse takes more time than a F key.  
When in a contest we have one or two radios to operate,  sometimes a CW 
key,  sometimes S02R controlling,  antenna switching,  rotor switching. 
and some typing and other things.  It takes a split second to hit an F 
key.  One can have a cheat sheet right above the F keys on the keyboard 
but you soon should have them memorized.  I guarentee this is faster 
than finding the mouse,  getting the cursor where it should be and clicking.

We are consistantly in the top 10 nation wide and have some first place 
finishes nationwide in HP, single and multi-op and we use the mouse as 
little as possible during a contest.  The one exception is the RTTY 
contest where we click on a call which we find superior to typing it 
in.  Writelog is a great RTTY Contest program and a good HF and VHF 
contest program.  I also have used Writelog from Ghana,  St. Paul 
Island,  and a number of other DX Locations.  Some of these were 
operating 40 hours without sleep. For me simple is best!

Again IMHO there have been a lot of requests and a lot of things done in 
Writelog and other programs that are bells and whistles to try and make 
some people happy but for the serious contester it is all about speed 
and simplicity and these things just make the these programs more 
complicated and get in the way.  When you have been operating for hours 
on end and can hardly see straight you need "SIMPLE".  Things I never 
see mentioned that Writelog has that are critical to the serious 
contester are a rate calculation, super check,  multiplier list, quick 
editing as we all make a few mistakes when entering. good SO2R control 
and safe keeping of the logs and things like this.  The bottom line is a 
good contest logging program that does the essentials as simply and as 
fast as possible to me seems the best.

Jim there is absolutely nothing wrong with what you ask for and if a lot 
of people ask I am sure you will get it.  The more of that stuff you 
have to mess with the slower you will be and those that use the "KISS" 
principle will be the winners.  IMHO serious contesting is all about a 
few seconds here and a few seconds there and the software being able to 
help you combat fatigue and keeping it simple.  Time and time agan at 
the end of the contest after many hundreds of qso's the difference 
between two or three people can be less than 10 qsos that is why IMHO  
the simple essentials are best!

73, Ed W0SD


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