[Elecraft] [OT] CW speed and decoders and SS

[Julian G4ILO]

I've never tried the MFJ, though I was tempted to get one.

On Windows PCs, the CW decoder in MixW is pretty poor. About the best
is CWGet, as long as you manually set the threshold to above the level
of noise. However, all DSP based Morse decoders only work when you
click on the exact centre of the transmitted signal - just like
receiving PSK. Unfortunately in CW - unlike data modes - people don't
usually reply on the exact frequency you are sending on. Any AFC
function in the software is much too slow, and just as likely to lock
on to another signal entirely. So the reality is that computer
decoders are useless for contest work except in S&P mode where you can
net on to the station you want to work before you call him.

In those circumstances I have found they work really well, especially
as contest stations are usually sending well formed electronically
generated code which computer decoders prefer.

Pocket Digi running on a Windows CE hand-held (e.g. Dell Axim) makes a
very good standalone decoder. Just stand it next to the radio and it
decodes whatever it hears on its microphone.

The best computer decoder I have tried was G-PSK31 for Linux. That was
one of the reasons behind my attempt to switch to Linux for the shack.
Unfortunately after someone suggested I try FLDigi my sound card
stopped working with either of the programs and I hadn't a clue how to
fix it, so I went back to Windows.

-- 
Julian, G4ILO K2 s/n: 392  K3 s/n: ???
G4ILO's Shack: www.g4ilo.com
Zerobeat Ham Forums: www.zerobeat.net/smfnet


On 11/5/07, David Ferrington, M0XDF <M0XDF at alphadene.co.uk> wrote:
> My experience of trying to use the MFJ with my FT-857 is that it has to be
> very good, clear Morse for it to work. I'm still learning, so I'm not good
> enough yet to receive correctly, let alone send. But the MFJ just shows
> rubbish or doesn't understand it at all.
>
>
> On 5/11/07 13:26, "David Wilburn" <dave.wilburn at verizon.net> sent:
>
> > Are they using the MFJ decoder or the various software programs?
>
> --
> What is the purpose of the giant sequoia tree? The purpose of the giant
> sequoia tree is to provide shade for the tiny titmouse.
> -Edward Abbey, naturalist and author (1927-1989)
>
>
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