Using
RTTY by WF1B for Morse Code
There is a possibility of using RTTY by WF1B
for both receiving and sending Morse Code (CW), depending on your TNC.
This method will work with the PK 232, 900, and KAM+; but there is nothing
in the instruction manual about this ! This
is just for FUN and the effort may not be worthwhile to you.
Background: One
snowy day at the junkpile in the woods, I was idly working on my
CW W.A.S ( pure digital as I don't remember the alphabet in Morse
any more) in the NA QSO CW Party, which is just like the RTTY one. I was
using Log-EQF by N3EQF, which I have set up to run both RTTY or Morse with
the press of one key. The macros are the same because the TNC commands
for transmit and receive are the same on my PK 232 or PK 900 for Morse
and RTTY. Print is very dependent upon the fist of the sender. But
in a contest, auto-keyers are very common and often give perfect print.
And lots of nifty states and DXCC countries are there begging to be worked.
How to Do it: My
little inspiration that day was to fire up RTTY by WF1B, select NA QSO
Party, AEA CMD Set, go alt-T to talk to the PK 900 TNC and put it in Morse
mode. A few CW type macros (no, I didn't use the friend.ini) and I started
making perfect contacts. All the features work as normal; it just
sends and receives in Morse. It soon feels just like working a RTTY contest;
click on the name, dupe checking, the rig/band control .. Click on the
name and state and it goes into the right box, the same tuning to catch
the transmission, etc etc. Of course, if you want to call CQ, you had better
be able to read the code in your head as there will not be time to tune
the caller quick enough and the CW quality may be too poor for the TNC
to copy. It also takes a little bit for the TNC to figure out
the WPM of the sender.
Here's a step-by-step procedure:
- Set up the hardware as for RTTY; the TNC must be capable of receiving
and sending CW.
- If your TNC commands for sending and receiving Morse are not the
same as RTTY, then specify "User-Defined" as the TNC, start the
program, and use ctl-F3 to enter the send/receive commands for morse code.
- Put the TNC into Morse/CW mode using alt-T. (Don't use HOST mode)
- Try this hint from Allan, N7UJJ:
Using the PK-232, I set the Morse code speed to 20, 25, or 30 WPM (MSP
command) then the Lock Command(L). That way it will be expecting 20+/-
WPM and it takes no time at all to lock on. I have to reset it if I want
to copy someone especially slow or fast, but not too often.
- Prepare some macros CW style, using ctl-F7, such as de N1RCT, <1>
5NN ME ME N1RCT, etc.
- Tune around and get used to the CW tuning requirements. Read the
TNC manual for any hints on best use. Practice getting good print.
- Check that you really transmit CW (dummy load, of course). Understand
how your TNC sets the transmit speed ... on the PK 232, you send the command
MSP 35 , for instance.
- Practice rapid changes of sending speed to match somewhat the other
party. Err on the side of too slow.
- Exit and set up for a particular contest or the general logging
mode of DXpedition. Set up the macros needed for the contest and for general
CW operating. You may want a macro that is nothing but ? for
instance.
- In use, all the mouse clicking, logging, paperwork preparation,
and other features are identical to RTTY operation. Good Luck!
- Kam+ Operating from Raj, VE6RAJ ... The Kam+ also works with the
following procedure: You can do the same thing with it as well. Hit Alt
T, then press Ctrl C and then X. This will bring up the prompt "cmd:"
. Type CW and hit Alt T again and your back into RTTY by WF1B copying
and sending CW. Pretty slick. In my set up I have to set my rig to the
CW position so that the KAM will key the rig. The Ctrl C and X keystrokes
put the KAM+ into cmd mode and you can enter any KAM command e.g. CW 45
if you wnat to set the speed etc. As Dick N1RCT mentioned earlier, you
should modify your buffers to reflect the flavour of CW contesting. I find
the it works flawlessly for search and pouncing, but for calling CQ, you
will have to be very fast with the RIT control.
Some Hints & Tips:
- The PK 232 puts out a useful
tuning signal if you have a scope. They look like crossed parabolas and
are smaller than the RTTY signals; you may need to increase the scope sensitivity
setting.
- The PK 900 does not put out
a useful CW tuning signal (that I can find). What I do is run a parallel
audio line to a second TNC set to RTTY and run this signal back to the
scope; in this case the signal looks like a RTTY mark when properly tuned.
- Start with the DCD fully counter-clockwise ... increase to perhaps
9 o'clock for very weak signals.
- All your rig features to improve
reception will help in auto copying CW; I use 250 Hz filters, AF Tune,
The MFJ 784B set to CW, and slow AGC.
- First, locate a station that
you can copy very well. Get the info IN ADVANCE. Send your info slowly
and twice if you are not prepared to copy a repeat request in your head.
- Don't make a contact until you
have some confidence and skill. It may take several hours of practice to
be able to tune signals well. The W1AW code practice broadcasts are a start.
Don't be a lid. Don't ruin someone else's fun having your own.
- I actually use Log-EQF for my WAS and DXCC chasing; but if I actually
entered a contest, I would use the WF1B, particularly for the dupe checking.
- Think carefully about the macro
content .. CW has it's own language and customs.