Most CW operators use "keyers" to generate the dits and dahs precisely. The keyer can be controlled directly by the computer or be a software Meyer or be controlled by an iambic key connected to the computer. A few operators still use straight keys like the J38 or a 'bug' like the Vibroplex. The key is the input method, or the keyboard.
Some software, like the N1MM contest logging software have an embedded software keyer and also support a separate external keyer. Didier KO4BB Bob Camp <[email protected]> wrote: >Hi > >….. but why route the key *through* the computer if you are generating >the side tone off of RF… > >Bob > >On Jul 26, 2013, at 6:16 PM, Brian Alsop <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Actually computers generate probably 98% of the code during so called >radio contests. During a contest weekend it is not at all unusual for >individuals to make thousands of contacts. Computers automate the >drudgery of sending your call thousands of times and most exchanges. >> >> However even during these contests, the manual key has to sometimes >be used to provide corrections or handle situations not covered by >"canned" messages. >> >> Because of the tremendous adjacent and even on frequency >interference, computers have proved incapable of decoding code with the >accuracy and speed of a human in real time. >> >> Brian >> >> On 7/26/2013 22:04, Bob Camp wrote: >>> Hi >>> >>> There's also the time honored approach of generating the side tone >off of the generated RF. In that case the latency to the transmitter >would matter quite a bit. I have no idea *why* you would run the key >through a computer in that case …. >>> >>> Bob >>> >>> On Jul 26, 2013, at 4:52 PM, Jim Lux <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> On 7/26/13 12:50 PM, Didier Juges wrote: >>>>> There is a difference between managing the latency (as in ensuring >that sound and video are synchronized, but latency itself is >acceptable) and minimizing the latency as in a Morse code keyer where >the operator has to manually control the generation of elements that >can be as narrow as 20mS (one dit at 60 words per minute) while getting >timely aural feedback. That means you need the sound to start and stop >within less than about 5 mS following the key closing and opening. >>>>> >>>>> It is trivial to do on a microcontroller running at 1MHz but >surprisingly harder to do on a 2GHz Windows machine. >>>>> >>>>> It is not just a matter of time stamping the key closure, you have >to get the sound system starting and stopping. >>>>> >>>> >>>> Yep. although, since the propagation path is on the order of 100 >milliseconds, providing feedback to the user directly from the >interface works quite well (e.g. generating tones directly from the >keying). >>>> >>>> The challenge is trying generate the sidetone through Windows. >But really, there's no reason why you can't have a "keying box" that >provides the direct side tone and sends the events to the host >computer. Then the issue is more about keeping constant latency (or >else the CW will be really, really hard to copy) >>>> >>>> It's not like an extra 10 milliseconds of delay between keying and >the emitted RF waveform makes any difference at the other end. >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >>>> To unsubscribe, go to >https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >>>> and follow the instructions there. >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >>> To unsubscribe, go to >https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >>> and follow the instructions there. >>> >>> >>> ----- >>> No virus found in this message. >>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >>> Version: 2012.0.2242 / Virus Database: 3209/6023 - Release Date: >07/26/13 >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> >> ----- >> No virus found in this message. >> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >> Version: 2012.0.2242 / Virus Database: 3209/6023 - Release Date: >07/26/13 >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >> To unsubscribe, go to >https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >> and follow the instructions there. > >_______________________________________________ >time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >To unsubscribe, go to >https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >and follow the instructions there. -- Sent from my Motorola Droid Razr 4G LTE wireless tracker while I do other things. _______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
