Text Decode Issues

[Johnny Siu]

I think no one here would argue that human brain is the best decoder.

The original question, if I remember correctly, is about how to use the decoding function in KX3 to generate the best result.  So, let us move on the way to get a better decode from KX3 or other softwares (may be we don't even get a conclusive answer).

Now, let me move back to a few years ago in Tokyo Ham Fair.  A famous Japanese morse code club (or die hard fans) demonstrated CW related subjects in their booth in the ham fair for many years.  However, for that particular year, they changed and demonstrated software CW decoding and sending CW by keyboard.

I was shocked at that time and asked why die hard CW fans did not use human brain.  I was told:

1. they wanted to promote CW by letting the new comers tasting a bit of fun (lowering the entry barrier);
2. everyone can enjoy CW no matter whether using straight key, paddles or even key board

Ham population is decreasing (or CW operators) in most countries.  We are looking for ways to attract new blood (also new CW operators).  Our hobby can only survive if we keep on having new blood.

This is my 2 cents.

73

Johnny VR2XMC
 

________________________________
 寄件人︰ Phil Hystad <[hidden email]>
收件人︰ [hidden email]
副本(CC)︰ elecraft <[hidden email]>
傳送日期︰ 2014年04月21日 (週一) 10:58 PM
主題︰ Re: [Elecraft] Text Decode Issues
 

Ditto!  Sort of...

I agree that CW is a manual, using ear and head tools, and not using an eye tools.  Otherwise, what is the difference between CW, RTTY, PSK, or whatever in terms of enjoyment (certainly there are differences in other physical aspects).

But, there are times when I hear a DX station that is racing along at 40 wpm and I just need a little help -- I mean, was that the letter L in his call sign or the letters AI -- often to these lesser skilled ears, it is hard to tell.  Indeed, as per this discussion, even the decode process can't discern accurately.

So, there are some situations where I will turn on CW decoding to pick up someone that is desirable yet not discernible.  Would I use decode in a rag chew -- No.

73, phil, K7PEH



On Apr 21, 2014, at 7:11 AM, AG0N-3055 <[hidden email]> wrote:

> On Mon, 21 Apr 2014 09:32:59 -0400, Stephen Roberts wrote:
>
>> Yes, and it's curious that there are clearly better decoders out there.
>> I built an Open QRP rig last year and the decoder was phenomenal...
>> much better than the KX3, so assuming this is a software issue, is this
>> something that the Elecraft engineers are looking at?
>
> Dumb question time.  Why don't you just learn to operate CW the way most
> people do?  CW is supposed to be a manual mode.  It is an ART.  Copying
> CW is a part of the tradition of amateur radio.  If you have to have
> perfect CW to be decoded, it's the same as or worse than RTTY.  Your
> brain can decode CW with missing characters and elements quite nicely.
>
> Use your head!
>
> Gary
> --
> http://ag0n.net/
> 3055: http://ag0n.net/irlp/3055
> NodeOp Help Page: http://ag0n.net/irlp
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net/
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net/
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

[HREFAB]

I've been really burning the midnight oil on this for the last couple of days and the more I fiddle with things, the closer I get (2 steps forward, three steps back, but still making progress).
Now I don't know as any of these things have really made any difference, but I am making some kind of headway so I'll pass on what I'm finding;

I noticed that the Key (factory Elecraft Key), was sending spurious tones. Sending a "Dit" would sometimes result in a "Dit-Dah". Upon further investigation, I found that the circuit board was actually moving slightly. The three hold down bolts appeared to be tight, but I tend to keep my key setup with very little movement, so I increased the distance, reset the board and tightened down the bolts (firm not killed, no need to crack the PCB). This seemed to cure the spurious tones, but I was still having problems with the "I - P" Combination (showing as "E - G"). On a guess, I went into delay and changed it from .23 to 0.000 with no change. Then I changed it to .5 and suddenly the "I-P / E-G" problem went away. Now this makes no sense to me as I don't believe that the delay would have anything to do with this problem, but then again, I'm not completely savvy with all the functions on this radio.

I changed things back to .23 and the problem came back. Up to .5 and the problem goes away. So if anyone can explain that to me, I'd be smarter than I am now, but for now, I'm pretty happy that my sending is showing up properly.

I'm posting this not as a 'cure', but simply to document what I have done that so far, is working for me. I have changed nothing else in terms of the setup so I think I'm on the right track.

73

[HREFAB]

With a lot of tiny adjustments and very careful attention to the setup, it seems that I have a fairly decent text decode now on my KX3. The key is very VERY sensitive to adjustment so if you get it where you like it, don't change anything!

It still makes some mistakes, but I can live with that. The point is not perfect decode, but reasonable expectations of being "close". To that end, I am pretty satisfied. I have also come to realize that there are an awful lot of operators out there who send high speed gibberish. No one seems to take the time to send correctly when they get over 25wpm. It's just WIZ BANG BOOM! Ok, I get it.

I also purchased the KX3 book from Fred Cady KE7X which I am now going over page by page. Seems like a good investment as he clearly is very familiar with the KX3.

[k6dgw]

Does HREFAB have a call?

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014
- www.cqp.org

On 4/23/2014 4:13 PM, HREFAB wrote:
> With a lot of tiny adjustments and very careful attention to the setup, it
> seems that I have a fairly decent text decode now on my KX3. The key is very
> VERY sensitive to adjustment so if you get it where you like it, don't
> change anything!


______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

[HREFAB]

k6dgw wrote

Does HREFAB have a call?

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014
- www.cqp.org

Sure Fred, I mentioned it in my first post, but here it is again;

KD2FIP

73

Jim