[Dx4win] More fields?
Now that I am becoming accustomed to DX4WIN I am beginning to want to expand it a little. Is there any way that I can add fields to the database and then customize the QSO window to show them? I don't mind doing a bit of VB programming if that is what is necessary. For example, I am currently putting the following in the QSL notes field: Power used (especially for QRP) Frequency Offset frequency (for PSK31) Adding /M when I am mobile Giving my Lat/Lon and county when mobile My rig used My antenna used Sure, that is probably unimportant data for many of you. That I why I would like to just add it to mine. I like getting cards with info like that so I hope at least a few others do too. One other possibility would be to add some fields like USER1 through USER10 to the database and have them as optional hidden fields on the QSO form. Just curious, Ron, AG5RS
[Dx4win] Multi Port Serial Cards
I am using a generic Keyspan 4 port USB to COM box and have had no problems with it. I just loaded the software, plugged it into the USB port, and rebooted. When the reboot was done I now had COM1 through COM6. They make an 8 port model too. Any good computer supply dealer should have them or an equivalent. That way I skip the card hassle and get all the cables away from the dark recesses behind my CPU. Also works great on my laptop. Ron
[Dx4win] USB devices (was DX4Win new release?)
I have done some device development and will be glad to offer my two cents on why COM ports still continue to be used even though USB is newer-better. First, USB is made simple for the user by being complex hardware. A fully compatible COM port driven device requires only a couple of easy to get parts and can be made for under $5.00. You can do it even cheaper if you don't want to actually meet the RS-232 spec. On the other hand the simplest approach to USB (that I know of) is an ASIC board that costs about $40 in prototype quantities. It is essentially a full PIC microcomputer dedicated to the USB task. Next is the software. Handling I/O through the COM port is easy in MS Windows and Linux (and KDE). Lots of free or cheap drivers are available to just drop into your application. The last time I tried to do a USB driver, the entry fee was several hundred dollars or LOTS of time writing the thing. As to computerless communications, you can implement COM to COM communications with some very simple PIC hardware. Trying to build a USB host with its associated software is a huge job. Finally, USB to COM port expansion boxes are reasonably priced so adding more ports is now a plug and play exercise. If software will recognize lots of COM options, I will be happy with it. Since the ham market is pretty small (albeit devoted), I think this would be a good balance of capability with cost and effort. Just my opinion, 73 Ron, AG5RS
[Dx4win] PSK31 and sound card question.
I am not positive, but I cannot see why the absolute value of the clock is of any matter. Since the computer doesn't know what the frequency of the radio is, the only thing that I would expect to matter is the moment to moment accuracy of the clock (i.e., drift and jitter). The thing that I find is most critical for me are all the level settings. On my initial setup, I had the same problem you are describing. When I looked at the raw, digitized soundcard output (using a WAV editor) the distortion was amazing even though it didn't sound bad in the speakers. Getting the right mix of radio volume, interface gain, and soundcard setting was a fairly long experiment. Once I used the raw waveforms to adjust the levels for maximum signal with minimum noise and distortion, I have had excellent results. My soundcard is a generic $20 one. I am using an Alinco DX70T into a swapmeet MFJ tuner hooked to a wire antenna (Windom) strung between tree branches in the yard. So far I have been able to QSO with Namibia, Japan, Australia, Russia, and Eastern Europe all on 80-90 watts. I have also QSO'ed both coasts (I'm near Houston) with QRP levels.As you can tell, I have become addicted GRIN. So my recommendation: Pay detailed attention to the levels! They are generally set lower than what I would have normally expected. If you still have the problem, start looking at the soundcard first (expensive is not always better). Just my experience, hope it is useful. Good Luck, Ron, AG5RS
