[Elecraft] CODEC

[Rick WA6NHC]

While thousands may use VOX, at least thousands use PTT.  One reason is 
that sound cards are rarely response flat, so the levels will change 
according to the frequency of the tone.  This means that the VOX may/not 
be activated by the current tone or may not hold if on the edge of the 
required level.  If you never change the frequency of the tones (as in 
point and click PSK or by using FT8 in DXpedition/split mode) it may not 
be an issue for you.  I've found it to be less reliable than PTT.

I rarely use VOX at all (except on CW for full break in), if only to 
keep background noises (other radios for example) from making it 
complicated.

Software PTT is not flaky.  That is insulting to both the software 
authors and those that designed the radio to accept the PTT command.  In 
point of fact, it's more reliable than VOX has been because it isn't 
level driven, just simply on or off.

The issues you may have had with PTT could be the virtual ports often in 
play, it's a wonder those work at all.  I use real serial ports, no 
sharing, using the KISS principle and have never had a software PTT 
issue.  I also find real serial ports less RF sensitive (FAR easier to 
shield), therefore more reliable than USB which often locks up in the 
presence of strong RF.

Rick nhc


On 10/1/2018 4:42 PM, Wes Stewart wrote:
> The following is nothing personal.
>
> I use AFSK on RTTY.  That's "Audio" FSK.  On SSB, an audio mode, I 
> like thousands of other folks, use VOX, not some flaky software PTT.  
> Why on Earth when using a different audio mode should I have to use a 
> different method of T/R switching, particularly when the audio signal 
> is a constant level?  Makes absolutely no sense to me.
>
> N7WS
>
>
> On 10/1/2018 3:42 PM, Tom wrote:
>> No need for VOX, just use software PTT.
>> Tom
>
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