eHam

eHam Forums => Contesting => Topic started by: SOCAL_RADIODUDE on December 17, 2022, 12:50:32 PM

Title: Contesting and rigs with onboard decoders like DX10
Post by: SOCAL_RADIODUDE on December 17, 2022, 12:50:32 PM
Question from a contesting noob - about a rig like the FTDX10 that can decode digital modes onscreen without a computer... since they're not generating logs is on-board decoding really of any use ? Isn't the important thing about using a computer-control to generate logs while operating the mode, if the rig does its own display maybe thats nice but is it just a frill? I dont have any vested interest in any brands, maybe fun to dial hop around listening in, but for any organized use just don't understand. Comments ?
Title: Re: Contesting and rigs with onboard decoders like DX10
Post by: AF5CC on December 17, 2022, 01:11:53 PM
You can always use a logging program to generate the contest log, and the radio for decoding and transmitting.  I did that once with an Icom 7300 in the CQWW RTTY contest.  It worked out pretty nicely.  Had the laptop going for the contest log, didn't have to have a RTTY program going since I was doing that thru the radio.  Tuned the radio using the VFO knob, and didn't do computer control with the logging program.

73 John AF5CC
Title: Re: Contesting and rigs with onboard decoders like DX10
Post by: SOCAL_RADIODUDE on December 18, 2022, 09:50:45 AM
Aha, thank you, wasnt familiar w/ how logging sw works, appreciate the thought.
Title: Re: Contesting and rigs with onboard decoders like DX10
Post by: AC2EU on December 18, 2022, 03:33:01 PM
The nice thing about cat control with a logging program is that it captures many details for you. Such as mode, band,frequency and time.

Decoders are OK, but they can't decode some of the poor cW fists out there. I think WSJT-X can interface with logging programs. How are you going to time the rx/tx cycles without CAT?
Title: Re: Contesting and rigs with onboard decoders like DX10
Post by: N2SR on December 19, 2022, 03:28:22 AM
The nice thing about cat control with a logging program is that it captures many details for you. Such as mode, band,frequency and time.

You do not need cat control to capture time.  Each log entry is time/date stamped when you press the enter key to enter the station into the log.  This can be done without a computer interfaced radio.