[WT-support] computer/skimmer problems

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

> in using the MicroKeyer for generating cw...does the path to reach
> the radio include the computer via the Microkeyer or does the cw go
> directly from the microkeyer to the radio?

I don't understand your question.  MK, MK II, DK II, CK all use the
original Winkey chip connected to the processor in the interface.
Router provides a virtual serial port to access the processor so
when the logging program generates CW, it sends ASCII to the virtual
port where Router packages that data into the format necessary to
communicate with the processor and sends it on to the "keyer".

WinKey generates properly timed CW which goes directly to the rig.

Note, Win-Test sends *one character at a time* and waits for an echo
from the keyer.  If your system is so severely lacking in memory
that Windows must swap processes between RAM and disk to switch
between processing a skimmer feed and generating CW, your CW will
be *extremely* choppy because the computer has to wait for the
program data to be moved between active RAM and cache or disk.

While multiple cores are nice, the best thing one can do for
performance in typical amateur use is have 2 GB or more of RAM
and a processor with a large "level 2" cache.  Process swapping
is a real performance killer when moving among network service
(spot processing),  User interface (keyboard response), output
(CW or DVK generation) and log processing (save, dupe check, etc.).
The biggest contributor to process swapping is dealing with a high
volume spot feed (e.g., skimmer) and the need to constantly update,
sort, dupe the spot data.  A system that is perfectly acceptable
in a single operator unassisted situation is completely unusable
when forced to "drink from a firehose" by being faced with a
skimmer feed with hundreds of spots a minute.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV


On 2/23/2012 7:37 AM, Rick Dougherty NQ4I wrote:
> Hi Joe...a quick question...in using the MicroKeyer for generating
> cw...does the path to reach the radio include the computer via the
> Microkeyer or does the cw go directly from the microkeyer to the
> radio? I see the need to upgrade the computer RAM and its help in
> running the logging program...but how will it impact the microham
> router and cw generation? Thanks so much...de Rick
>
> On Tue, Feb 21, 2012 at 6:36 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV<lists at subich.com>  wrote:
>>
>>> This Machine is 1800 mhz and has 384 meg of ram...more ram needed??
>>
>>
>> 384 MB or RAM is not nearly sufficient for modern operating systems
>> - particularly if you are processing a skimmer "firehose" in addition
>> to running a logging program.   256MB is the absolute minimum for
>> Windows XP to even run.  I would not even consider running Skimmer
>> along with microHAM Router and a logger on a system with less than
>> 1 GB of RAM and a 2 GHz CPU.
>>
>> If you can't upgrade memory to at least 2 GB, it's time to replace the
>> computer (or move it to a place that it only deals with one radio).
>> The 80% CPU usage with Skimmer is an absolute red flag.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>>    ... Joe, W4TV
>>
>>
>>
>> On 2/21/2012 5:57 PM, Rick Dougherty NQ4I wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi All...I am wondering if I am the only one to see this...my number
>>> one computer which is designated 80m RUN is the one that distributes
>>> everything to the network...part of its job is handling skimmer
>>> traffic...I am noticing
>>> the CPU % of usage is way over 80 %...when skimmer is off it is in the
>>> low 30% or high 20% range..in conjunction now there are some strange
>>> cw keying issues...is the CPU bogged down and not have the resources
>>> to handle MicroKeyer??
>>> Would a faster 4 core machine be needed?? This Machine is 1800 mhz and
>>> has 384 meg of ram...more ram needed??
>>>
>>> Thanks de Rick
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
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