There used to be a software function called PKUNZIP that
could be used to unzip programs after retrieving them from
the web. It isn't on any of the three PCs I now own and I
need it to get a program for Ham use.

There are a BUNCH of sites claiming "FREE" unzip programs,
but when trying to get them it turns out they aren't free
and then it gets more complicated from there.

What are people using nowadays to unzip files? I don't
mind paying a small fee, but giving out a bunch of information
isn't going to happen.

Ken  K5MBV

Dgrd seems to be a limiting factor for marginal stations like mine.
In this particular when it's less than about -4.9, stations are more
likely to return a call or respond to a CQ. It would be nice to use
a chart or some software to indicate the Dgrd to plan future
operation using low values of Dgrd.

I thought that the GJTracker program had this function, but it doesn't
seem to work anymore (if it ever did). It could be that the shareware
version I'm using turns this operation off after the trial period runs out.
Does anyone know if this is the case?

If GJTracker doesn't have this function, is there a chart, table, or
software to use for obtaining future Dgrd values? W5LUU has a table
just for weekend use. Ken K5MBV

.....never mind

oops, finally found it as: WSJT.LOG  (all caps)
Sorry for the D A question.
ken

The program manual doesn't tell how to access the log to edit or transfer
files. It may have been accidentally deleted, but it doesn't seem to
exist in my WSJT program except for a button that allows for
putting the QSO stats into memory. ....No button for pulling up the
log info to make QSL cards etc.

No amount of searching has shown any hint of a log in my (version
7) program except for that button. Does anyone know where
to find the log file? Could it be accessed by a key in the program GUI
or another method?

Ken  K5MBV  ken.durham@verizon.net

The log in WSJT seems like a handy feature, but how
do you access it after logging the contacts? I did a search
for it, but came up with nothing.
Ken K5MBV

Thanks AA4PB. This is part of the answer
to the problem, but how do I identify which
drivers should be removed. I'm afraid of removing
something that is finally actually working.

You have solved 90% of the mystery for me,
but the other 10% is important to me since I
don't know what I'm doing in the Device Manager
Remove Drivers part. I know it's simple to you
and obvious what should be done, but it's not
simple to me.
Thanks, Ken

Thanks, Ken

Thanks, ...that seems like that's what is happening. I just keep
trying to use a port that won't work over and over and ending up
with a bunch of unusable ports.

You said they can be "hard to identify". How CAN they be identified
and cleared or reused? I would like to clean out the ones that aren't
real or not actually used.

Seems like someone could write an article on this subject so that those
of us that are having problems with ports could get more use from their
PCs and less headaches.

Thanks,  Ken  K5MBV

I have never understood the basics of USB and serial ports, so
my questions may not make sense to PC wizards.

The laptop pc running 32 bit Vista only shows one port in the
Control Panel Device Manager, but when trying to add another or
edit that port it shows that 16 ports are "IN USE". It seems that
every time I try to add a USB device, another port becomes "IN USE"
and adds to the count without actually becoming useable.

How does one add a device and drivers to the PC? Drivers seem
to download, but then just disappear. Is there a "PC Ports for
Dummies" book? I don't have any other problems with hardware
and the PC, but this one follows me around.
Ken  K5MBV

Yes, the external sound card would be USB. There are
no serial ports on laptops anymore.

Jason at TigerTronics replied to an email and told me
that the SignaLink USB has a 16 bit sound cards (I thought
it was 8 bit) and that the input drift of my unit was not
typical (or words to that effect.) The internal card osc is
xtal controlled. He recommended a couple of things to try
(I had already tried them to no avail.)

Right now I give up and will just make the best of it by
allowing the unit to warm up for several hours before use.

Ken  K5MBV

With a laptop and no serial port it looks like a USB to serial
adapter and a different interface will be needed. The SignaLink +1
should do it with a 16 bit external sound card. Not that the 16 bits
is important, just that it might have a better quality sample rate
oscillator. ...oh well, maybe building an interface would be best
since I've already wasted too much money on the SignaLink USB.

A *good quality* USB to serial adapter is going to cost about $25
anyway.

TigerTronics couldn't be expected to know that sample rate accuracy
might be important in some applications, ....but still

Ken  K5MBV

I don't want to use EITHER the SignaLink or the laptop sound card.
I want to use an external sound card and use the SignaLink just
for switching and interface for WSJT.

Ken  K5MBV

Can the SignaLink USB run using an external sound card like the
M Audio 16 bit one for a laptop? My SignaLink sample rates drift
a little too much to suite me. It won't even work some modes
using the standard (default) sample rate (In and Out) settings.

The SignaLink is a good interface except for this minor problem
which won't affect most digital mode users. Some WSJT modes
are more critical of sample rate.
 
Ken  K5MBV

My SatPC32 program was downloaded from the web and installed
on two PCs, one is a laptop. The application SuM.exe is included
in the program files for the PC, but the laptop doesn't have it and
it won't transfer via CD for some reason. It will transfer, but I
get warning messages in German and it won't work.

Has anyone had this problem or know how to get it working on
the laptop? It's the program that lets SatPC32 track the Sun
or the Moon using my LVB Trackbox and G5400B rotor system.
The main program tracks satellites just fine. This is not the demo version.

Ken   K5MBV

Correction: G4DDK LNA.

I looked at the sequencer in the URL above and wish I had seen
it before buying the one from ARR. It's a beautiful piece of Ham gear
and it would be hard to make a sequencing mistake using it.

I'm using as low loss coax as I can handle, but don't have the
space or money for more antenna gain. I'm using a single M2
18 el Yagi. The thing is 36 ft long and the trees are going to have
to be trimmed to rotate it 360 deg.The preamp actually doesn't
help with the S/N as much as it just adds noise. The ambient
noise is showing S0 on the FT-736R and with the preamp on the
meter reads S1. We are lucky to live in an underground utility
area and the background noise is very low here.

The preamp is easy to reach when the yagi is pointed straight
up. I don't believe it's working as well as it should and plan to
send it to ARR to be checked out.

MY EME station is on 2304 with a 3 meter BUD, a 200W SSPA,
and a G5DDK LNA. It's not hooked up to the dish feed yet because
I've been playing with the sequencer and relays.