[WriteLog] WriteLog and Elecraft KDVR3

[Mike Heideman]

Dean 8P6SH/8P2K wrote:
> I am therefore asking if there is a particular benefit to utilising the k3's voice
> keyer as compared to writelog's.
> Specifically is it better quality audio, easier to setup, easier to use during a
> contest etc. I am asking largely for my own understanding as I had certainly
> intended to buy the K3 without DVR as I am very comfortable with the utility
> of writelog's  built-in solution.

Hi Dean,

For me it comes down to simplicity of installation and setup to enable both on-the-fly recording and playback. I've had good experiences operating at stations with Microham SO2R boxes which were set up by someone else. Everything just works and doesn't require much tweaking when it's set up as a permanent installation.

Unfortunately, at a club station my experience has been that it is difficult to maintain a consistent environment. Audio settings and cabling on radios and computers are adjusted by club members to operate RTTY or PSK31, use a personal headset or desk mike, or listen to an audio or video recording on the computer.

When we want to set up for a multi operation then new computers with different soundcards and additional radios get added to the mix. Trying to get audio playback working properly on all of the stations is tedious and invariably we end up with poor audio quality on the playback or inconsistent levels between the mike and recordings.

After switching to the K3 DVRs several years back we eliminated all of the audio setup on the computers. We stopped hearing comments about our recorded audio being distorted or being inaudible compared to the live mike. Setting up for multi-ops was greatly simplified.

Learning how to control the DVR playback and recording with WriteLog was just gravy. It would be nice if dueling CQs worked and if all 8 messages could be used without having to manually toggle between message banks. Hopefully those can be resolved in the future and perhaps they already work with other logging programs.

73,
-Mike, N7MH