APPENDIX To the Various Papers on this Web Site Rev. 1999 January 13, V. 1 More questions, problems, comments, solutions, etc., have come in on various subjects. However, there have not been enough to justify revising any of the papers (it is a lot of work to re-format them in two or even three different formats). So this Appendix will be updated periodically (check the date at the top) to save us the work of constantly revising the papers, and to save you the work (and paper) of downloading and printing what you already have! Then, when a number of changes have been collected, that particular paper will be revised and the new version uploaded. This version contains material for the MSDSP TIPS, FAQ, SEMI-TECHNICAL FAQ, and PROCEDURES, versions dated approximately 8 April 1998 or later. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For MSDSP TIPS MSDSP V. 0.70 will crash occasionally (tho not often) in DOS even when running in normal mode (that is, switching between transmit and receive), on a "proper" computer, and with everything optimized. It will crash on nearly all computers when running in the continuous- record (loop) mode. The crash may occur in only one or two minutes, or it may run for awhile. These crashes have occurred even when running with an absolute minimum number of lines in the start-up files and with nothing else using the high memory. A Quarterdeck routine that sometimes tells what has happened gives different error messages at different times. Thus, it is not known what is causing the crashes or what, if anything, can be done. These crashes do seem to occur differently with different computers. Here are some things to try: Make up a minimum config.sys and autoexec.bat start-up file. Add (or change) the line to read STACKS=9,256 in the config.sys file. Change to ForceVESA=1 in the MS_DSP.INI file. Try different settings for the first three sets of values in the MS_DSP.INI file. None of these are likely to cure the crashes. But they might help. MSDSP sends gibberish when you clear (Delete) the Main Receive Buffer while transmitting. How long this continues depends upon the settings of the first few lines in the MS_DSP.INI file and the speed of your computer. The best way to avoid this is to clear (Delete) the Main Receive Buffer just as it switches from receive to transmit. However, if you do not want to clear it at this time, be sure that you have switched back to it (F9) just before the end of the transmit period. Then clear it as MSDSP switches from transmit to receive. In each case there will be no gibberish transmitted, and there will be only a very slight delay going into the next function. MSDSP can be very slow clearing playback buffers, re-writing the video, etc. In fact, depending on the settings of the first few entries of the .INI file, if you clear several buffers in the last 15 seconds of the transmit cycle, it may still be clearing buffers (and transmitting) for 10 to 15 seconds into your receive period! This really doesn't hurt anything (except that you might miss a ping). And since there are only 8 playback buffers available, you need to clear them as quickly as possible. There are only two ways to speed up this process. One is to reduce some of the settings in the .INI file; but to do this reduces the quality of the audio and/or video display. And the other way is to get a faster computer. When you edit your call in the MS_DSP.INI file, be sure to USE UPPER CASE (CAPITOL) LETTERS. When playing back a ping, you can increase the volume of that individual buffer. Pull down the little menu box to the volume section, plug in some number larger than 100. Note that this setting will go back to unity (100) when you clear that buffer. To see how much memory you have and how it is allocated, type mem /c|more and it will give you a listing of everything. (The symbol following the c is the bar found on the key above the backslash). In order to start DOS from a W95 computer, hit F8 when the screen says "Starting Windows 95..." and you will be offered a menu of things to do next. Just choose number 6 (the command prompt) and you will boot to MS-DOS mode and the GUI will not be running. Config.sys and Autoexec.bat files (if they are present in the boot volume) will be processed and executed just as they would be in a conventional DOS startup. (This is not the only method, but is probably the fastest). MSDSP will usually run in a DOS window of W95 but without activation of the PTT line. For those who need further information on using MSDSP with W95, it is suggested that you contact Doug, VE5UF, directly. If you have one of the newer SoundBlaster audio boards with additional features, you may find that you have output audio on both channels. If so, go into your control program, and turn the 3D Enhancement OFF. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For SEMI-TECHNICAL FAQ WHAT IS THE BEST ANTENNA FOR MS OPERATION? The best information on this is found in the papers and charts by Lionel, VE7BQH (found on this Web site). [Most people who have worked over 100 countries on 144 MHz know a little about antennas!] WHAT OTHER EQUIPMENT AND/OR PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR HSCW OPERATION? The program "SBMS" is still a very good, simpler, HSCW receive-only program. A number of North American HSCW operators use a modified tape recorder (MTR) when operating portable, and have reported very good success. (More on this in other papers, and on the N1BUG Web site). The CMOS Super Keyer III is now available complete, as well as in kit form. The German "DTR" dedicated HSCW unit has been tested by W1FIG and found to be very good, but expensive. For a comparison of MSDSP, the DTR, and a modified tape recorder, see Maarten's paper on the W6/PA0ZN Web site. A new hardware kit/software program is expected to be available in early 1999. The JPDSP3 is a multi-function audio filter and complete HSCW transmit/receive unit. Watch the W6/PA0ZN Web site for further. Several programmers are working on a W95/98 HSCW program. It is not expected before 2000. HOW IMPORTANT IS TRANSMITTER POWER FOR HSCW? High speed CW MS is more dependent on the power level than are other forms of propagation. This is because HSCW relies on underdense pings for all of its exchanges. This means that HSCW skeds can be run any day of the year, taking advantage of the constant rain of sporadic meteors that enter the earth's atmosphere. However, the scattering of the signal from an underdense ping is different from the refraction by an overdense train. In summary, there is more power loss this way (for more, see the reprint of W4LTU's article in Beyond Line of Sight). So, while HSCW can be done with low power (and often is), if you have the opportunity to add another 3 dB to your output power, it will probably be well worth while. WHAT IS THE MOST "EFFICIENT" SPEED FOR HSCW OPERATION? This varies with the HSCW method used, the operators, and the conditions. In general, using MSDSP, it seems to be 4000 to 10,000 lpm. Less than 4000 lpm is really too slow. But above 10,000 lpm, the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates rapidly. For the German "DTR", 4000 to 8000 lpm. For a modified tape recorder, it's fastest speed - usually 2000 lpm, though some are usable at faster speeds, especially if using an up-converter. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For HSCW FAQ I'M NEW TO HSCW, AND RELATIVELY NEW TO MS. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT BANDS LIKE FOR HSCW MS WORK? Here is a simplified overview: 50 MHz can be extremely easy for distances in the 600-1000 mile range. (Of course, this requires at least a few meteors). Signals on 50 MHz are generally frequent, weak, and relatively long. Frequent and long (~2 sec) because this is the optimum band for MS operation. Weak because 100 watts to a 3- or 4-element Yagi is common. Also, due to the residual ionization in that region, 50 MHz may have a weak, background ionospheric scatter signal not far below the level of the pings. Distances beyond 1000 miles are more difficult. What is not known yet is whether double-hop MS is possible during showers. Anyone willing to find out? 144 MHz is the most-used band for all MS operation. SSB contacts in the 600-1000 mile range are common during showers, when the number of overdense bursts increases sufficiently. HSCW in the 600-1000 mile range varies from very easy to very difficult. This depends upon the number of sporadic meteors (which varies considerably with the hour and the season) and the capabilities of the stations. With the usual number of background meteors, a contact using HSCW and sporadics is usually much easier than the same contact would be using SSB during a shower. Little HSCW operation has been done on 220 and 432 MHz in this country. While possible, MS is much more difficult on these bands than on 144. Obviously, HSCW MS on these bands will not be easy. But since a few MS contacts have been completed during the peaks of major showers, this means that HSCW MS contacts are possible, though probably only during showers. Again, we need more experience here. WHAT IS THE USUAL LENGTH OF A HSCW SCHEDULE? The code may be fast, but an actual QSO usually requires quite a bit of time. This is because HSCW relies on sporadic meteors, which may be few and short. Thus, most schedules are made for 30 minutes, with many being made for one hour when the contact is expected to be difficult. HSCW schedules are seldom completed in 15 minutes, except during the enhancement of a small shower or between well-equipped stations. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For NORTH AMERICAN PROCEDURES WHAT IS THE PROPER PROCEDURE WHEN ANSWERING A CQ? If it is only a straight CQ, you call and receive on the frequency that is being used for the CQ. If it is a CQ-letter, you change both your transmitter and receiver to the indicated frequency. You then call and listen on this new frequency. When (if) the CQing station copies both calls, he will also QSY to this new frequency and the contact will take place there. When you call the CQing station, you use the standard 1x1 calls (e.g., W4HHK N1BUG W4HHK N1BUG, etc.). When the CQing station copies you (on the new frequency, if a CQ-letter has been used), he will respond with both calls and a report. The calling station continues with the 1x1 calls until he copies the calls and report, then switches to the Roger-Report, and then on through the usual sequence.