[WT-support] computer/skimmer problems

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

Paddles are connected directly to the WinKey - they do not go
through Win-Test and there is no provision to do so.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV


On 2/23/2012 11:30 AM, Rick Dougherty NQ4I wrote:
> Hi Joe...one more question...how about paddle input to WinKey via WinTest?
>
> thanks de Rick
>
> On 2/23/12, Joe Subich, W4TV<lists at subich.com>  wrote:
>>
>>> 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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