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 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 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" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 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) > > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [email protected] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
