Chas,
It is good to see you have things working with Preview7. I can
understand your concern about software stability and usability. There
is a stable version, 1.4.4 that can be used and is recommended to be
used if you do not what to wrangle with a preview version. You don't
get the latest features, but you also do not get the surprises that come
along with beta software. One thing about the PowerSDR development cycle
is that it is a lot more open than other software development efforts.
In most other companies, the preview code is only released to a select
handful of testers and the general public isn't informed of the new
features of an upcoming release until it is released. The good folks at
Flex Radio allows those who want to live on the edge to run a preview
or beta through its paces. With a company as small as Flex Radio, it
would be impossible to regression test all of the features on every kind
of computer/soundcard/video card combination out there with the staff
they have. That is what we who choose to use Preview versions are here
for. By your own choice, you become part of the QA team by testing the
previews.
First Preview 9 has been very stable for me as long as the TX RX EQ is
not used. The AGC and optimized FFT improvements alone is worth
upgrading.
Also another change with Preview 9 is that DigiU mode automatically
sends the USB CAT command so that MixW is set for the correct mode (USB
rather than FSK, or nothing) so the SDR1K and MixW are always in sync.
You are correct that if VAC is engaged, you can not use the mic - the
audio I/O is routed through VAC. On the VAC setup page, if you check
the box Auto Enable, then when you select the DIDGU or DIGIL modes VAC
is automatically engaged. When you are in a non-DigiX mode, VAC is
disengaged so you can use the mic.
If I could offer one hint on operating digital modes that I think will
help some what and allow you to use a feature of the rig that (as far as
I know) doesn't exist elsewhere. Highly Customized TX Filters.
Once you have CAT working within MixW, you can do the following:
First, I found that I can get more and much cleaner output (better
readability) by using a TX filter that is about 2X wider than the
digital mode I am using (100 Hz for PSK, 500 Hz for RTTY, ect..)
To use the customized TX filter correctly, pick a center frequency, say
1500 Hz. Create the TX profile and set the TX filter so that 1500 Hz is
dead center of the filter bandwidth. Then create a MixW macro called
Align that has the command ALIGN:1500. Use this macro to place the
TX frequency of the station you want to work in the middle of the TX
passband. This ensures that you are always transmitting within the
bounds of the TX filter. You can place the MixW decode cursor anywhere
on the waterfall and if you want to transmit, just hit the ALIGN macro,
the frequency of the SDR1K shifts to the proper location in the TX
passband and away you go.
If the MixW soundcard is set for full duplex, using the Panadapter, you
can visually see that your TX signal is within the TX passband.
I also set up a VAR filter on RX that is a little narrower than the TX
filter (still centered at 1500 Hz) and will engage that to totally
eliminate and QRM that is on either side of the frequency I am having my
QSO on. This is real convenient when doing digital mode contesting.
-Tim
---
Tim Ellison ( [EMAIL PROTECTED] )
Integrated Technical Services ( http://www.itsco.com )
-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Charles Greene
Sent: Monday, December 26, 2005 2:06 PM
To: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: [Flexradio] Setup for beginner help results
Hi,
I have VAC and VCOM installed and working well. I take it that it is
proper to turn VAC off in order to operate SSB from a mike. MixW CW
and all digital modes work well, and my external keyer works well in
parallel with keying CW with MixW from macros or from the
keyboard Now to MMTTY. MMTTY does not work with my USB sound card
and K2; it can't find the sound card. MixW has no problems.
I am running PowerSDR Beta 1.4.5 pre 7 which seems pretty
stable. I'll wait until another stable version comes along before
upgrading. The only problem I have with pre 7 is that when operating
with another program running, if the other program tries to access
the sound card, whether I am using the default sound card or
not, the Power console stops processing and I have to turn it off
and then restart it. Otherwise, the power console will run all
day. Pre 7 has a lot of features. I wish you software types would
do some regression testing on pre 7 or something and get rid of the
Beta. You need an advanced system for users who are not pushing the
limits, or else you are going to lose some. As a software engineer
for 20 years, I have found as others have, that when you add new
features or correct old bugs, you need regression testing to make
sure you did
