CW cez RS-232
Many Windows programs allow you to receive and transmit the sound through your sound card (MixW2, CW Get! and CW Type and others). But what about a retired 386 without a sound card?
You remember, that it was also possible on ZX Specter or C-64? Larry W0NFU wrote the CW program thirteen years ago, who can do this. The only difference is that, that a simple interface similar to a Hamcomm comparator to a serial port is needed (RS-232). In addition to operation, the program can also be used to test your own keying… The description is designed as an inspiration for further attempts, not like a manual.
The CW program has minimal hardware requirements: IBM PC XT and later with 128 kB RAM and serial port with communication speed 9600 It structurally uses the phase method for SSB. It only takes up disk space 150 kB. I tried the program on a laptop 386/25, while not registering any problems.
Because of that, that the serial port can only distinguish logical 0 a 1 direct connection to the NF output of the receiver is not possible. The interface must ensure signal transfer so, so that the dot and the comma correspond to a logical one 1, noise and interference logical zero. The Hammcom comparator modem can do this, which can be used with an external power supply. This is because CW does not allow to bring to unused outputs of the serial port +12 a -12V. There is no wiring in the documentation, I'm currently developing one. I did the first tests with a key and a 12V battery.
CW can independently adapt to the speed of the received CW signal, also tolerate some keying inaccuracy. The dot/dash ratio is adjusted by the user. Three software filters are available to suppress the influence of QRM and QRN. The whole principle is described in great detail in the manual.
Broadcasting is easy. The user can use macros with their own data and ten memories. The keying speed can be linked to the reception speed.
The controls look complicated at first glance, because the program is in English and uses a lot of keys and key combinations. But it is only a deceptive appearance, for starters, a single key is sufficient, with which we switch from receiving to broadcasting and vice versa. This key is ESC. A short help can be called up at any time with the ALT+H combination. You can also translate it into Slovak or Czech, it is a cw.hlp file.
It is necessary to define your own data in the cw.msg file before starting. The most important item is the port, where you need to write the port address, on which the interface is connected (2F8 or 3F8 by default).
Impressions? CW impressed me not only in terms of functionality, but also as a former programmer. Today's programs can do the same and take up megabytes, they require a lot of computing power. When he read my keying…. After all, it is cheaper to make an interface for a thousand-koruna laptop than to buy a faster laptop for a few thousand, so that a person can collect a few points on the quota even without knowledge of the sea.
You can find the CW RS-232 program in the section “For download” CQ.sk
