SO2V with WriteLog and the K3

[Ed Muns, W0YK]

SO2V with WriteLog and the K3

Ed Muns, W0YK

 

Contesting with the K3's two receivers is now even more effective with the
enhancements in recent WriteLog versions 10.8x.  This paper describes the
feature for RTTY, but it is also useful for CW and SSB.  Basically, an Entry
Window is dedicated to each receiver (VFO) and transmit occurs on the VFO
frequency whose Entry Window has "focus".  SO2V denotes using the two VFOs
(sometimes controlling two independent receivers) in the same radio.  Two
independent receivers are needed to simultaneously listen to both
frequencies, one in each ear.  This is usually used on the same band,
although the K3 allows the receivers to be on different bands.  (SO2R
denotes using two separate radios in the same way and this is usually done
on two different bands.)

 

In WriteLog, the K3's second receiver (Sub-Receiver) is configured in the
Ports Setup window as another K3, except that it is given the same COM port
assignment as the main K3.  (Note that this COM port is for computer control
of the K3, different than the two COM ports described below for FSK/PTT
keying.)  On the Radio/Number of Radios menu, 2 is selected.  Then, in each
Entry Window, the frequency button is clicked and "Rig on Comm Port x"
selected for the first (K3 Main Receiver) and "Rig(2) on Comm Port x"
selected for the second (K3 Sub-Receiver).  Enable SUB in the K3 and audio
from each VFO is fed into the left and right ear, respectively.  On the
Radio menu, select Headphones Split so that the non-focus audio stream is
not muted.  Or, if you prefer muting, use Headphones Normal.  I always
listen to both VFOs (or, both radios in SO2R), but many contesters prefer
muting for more focused concentration.

 

For RTTY, two independent modems are needed, one for each receiver.  If
MMTTY is used for each modem, then two independent installations of MMTTY
must be made.  Using a standard stereo phone cable, the left (Main receiver)
and right (Sub-receiver) audio streams feed the computer soundcard.  The
first instance of MMTTY is configured to decode the left channel and the
second instance of MMTTY is configured to decode the right channel.  Call
signs selected, i.e., clicked, from each window are copied to the
appropriate Entry window

 

For FSK, two additional COM ports are required, again, one for each instance
of MMTTY.  Separate FSK/PTT keying interfaces are used, one on each COM
port.  At the K3, the two interfaces are connected to the FSK and PTT inputs
on the K3.  This makes them logically "wire-OR'd" for those who know what
that means.  Operationally, only one of the interfaces will be keyed by
WriteLog/Rttyrite/MMTTY at a given time, so there is no conflict and either
one drives the K3 when it's Entry Window has focus.

 

I haven't explored this scheme using AFSK, but the principle is the same.
Both instances of MMTTY should be able to drive the soundcard speaker, or
Line Out, output which is connected to the K3 Line In jack.

 

When focus is moved to the second Entry Window, the K3 is simply put into
SPLIT mode so that transmission occurs on that frequency.  Receive decoding
remains fixed in each of the two Rttyrite MMTTY windows.  When focus is
moved back to the first Entry Window, SPLIT is removed so that any
transmission occurs on the Main receiver's frequency, using the call sign in
that Entry Window.

 

If a KAT3 is installed in the K3, writelog.ini can be configured to swap
between ANT1 and ANT2 as focus moves between the two Entry Windows.  This is
envisioned to provide SO2R with a single K3 on two different bands.  Seems
like it should work although I haven't tried it.  I want separate radios for
SO2R which is supported by commercial SO2R accessories like antenna
switches.

 

In addition, macros of K3 programmable commands can be defined in
writelog.ini and assigned to keyboard keys as well as used in messages.
This opens up lots of possibilities exceptional K3-WriteLog integration.
Consult the WriteLog Help file for details (search on 'K3'.)

 

 

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[WA6L]

Hi, Ed,

I just found your message and can't wait to give SO2V a try with Writelog.  Thanks for taking the time to post this.

73,

John, WA6L