[WriteLog] Time to Upgrade Hardware

[Alfred Frugoli]

ARRL did a review of some  sound cards a couple years back.  If you're a
member, the review is on the ARRL site
here<http://www.arrl.org/members-only/prodrev/pdf/pr0705.pdf>.
 They didn't run the "writelog test", but at least they are quite new cards
that have drivers for XP.

As for  SO2R contesting, using a computer with only USB ports and the multi
keyer - I have yet to find a way.  The only issue is that when on a
usb/serial interface, the MultiKeyer does not switch from radio left to
radio right quickly enough.  USB/Serial interfaces work great for rig
control, and even sending FSK RTTY now, but not for controlling the
MultiKeyer (you can find info on good usb/serial interfaces on AA5AU's
rttycontesting.com site <http://www.rttycontesting.com/usb>).  There is a
.5-1 second delay because of the way the USB interface works.  So if you're
going to use a laptop, hopefully it has a cardbus slot that you can use to
add a true serial port - then you'd be in business.

The other option is to sink a chunk of money into one of the newer true usb
based so2r boxes.  The MultiKeyer still works well with Writelog, and a
cardbus serial card is about 5% of the cost of a usb based so2r box.

Good luck.

73 de Al, KE1FO

-----
Check out my Amateur Radio Contesting blog at ke1fo.wordpress.com.


On Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 7:59 AM, Ken Claerbout <k4zw at comcast.net> wrote:

> Hi Guys - been spinning my wheels on this for awhile so I'm hoping to get
> some guidance.  I've searched the archives and some of it has been covered,
> although maybe new options have since become available.  For years I have
> been using an old Windows 95 machine with an internal sound card and the
> W5XD Multi-keyer for SO2R SSB contesting.  When I first started with this
> configuration, I had to get another sound card as the one on the
> motherboard
> generated too much noise.  The arrangement has been working great for
> years!
> But I would like to be able to use my Dell Inspiron running XP for the same
> thing.  The soundboard in the Dell scores 6f which does not support full
> two
> radio operation.  So the first question, where can I find a sound card that
> I can pop into the Dell that will support full two radio operation like I
> have in my Windows 95 machine?  I'd prefer to avoid the trial and error
> method of buying a card, installing it, and crossing my fingers that it
> will
> do the trick.  Thought about taking the card from the 95 machine but
> drivers
> are not available for XP.  The card is about 8 years old.
>
> Next question, I have a Dell Inspiron laptop and was thinking it would be
> cool to do SO2R with it.  The obvious issue is no serial port(s) to connect
> to the radios and W5XD keyer.  Is anyone running SO2R with a laptop?  Any
> recommendations for how one might go about doing so?
>
> Thanks
> Ken K4ZW
>
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