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Reviews For: MixW Version 2.0

Category: Ham Software/Apps - Other than logging

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Review Summary For : MixW Version 2.0
Reviews: 56MSRP: 50.00
Description:
Multi Mode Operating Software for Win PC with sound card.
Suports TNCs, CATs and antenna rotors.
Regular and contest logging formats.
All of the popular modes (including phone) are suported.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mixwusa.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00564.2
AA4PB Rating: 2002-01-07
PSK31 the way it should be Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I set up a couple of macros to automatically handle the IC756PRO's IF filter selection while in PSK31. It starts in wide (SSB filter) with all the signals displayed on the water fall. Click on the signal to select the one you want to copy. Click on the NARROW button and the PRO is tuned to put that signal in the center of the IF passband then the IF filter narrows around it. No AGC pumping from other strong signals on the band. Click the WIDE button and the PRO's SSB filter is reselected so I can see all the signals on the waterfall again.
N1YRK Rating: 2002-01-07
nice, but expensive Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
It seems to be a good quality program. The interface still needs a bit of brush-up, though. I don't find it to be vastly superior to the freeware programs, though. Maybe if there were a Linux version, I might pay the $50, but I find I use gpsk31 just because I don't want to reboot into windows to use it. The demo period has expired, too.
G4ILO Rating: 2002-01-07
Forget the rest, MixW is the best. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
MixW 2 (the current version is actually 2.1) is the answer to every ham data operator's dream - a program that supports just about every data mode you might want to use, with enough features to keep even the most demanding user happy. Data modes covered include BPSK31, QPSK31, FSK31, RTTY, Packet (HF and VHF), Pactor (RX), Amtor, MFSK16, Throb, MT63, Hellschreiber and Fax. It has SSTV capability, too, plus CW (TX and RX) and SSB. Yes, SSB! In SSB mode you can monitor the waveform of received signals, and transmit prerecorded WAV files by clicking on macro buttons - ideal for contesting.

MixW supports the CAT interface of most transceivers. This allows you to control the transceiver from the program. A powerful set of CAT commands can be programmed into macros. This allows you to do things like create a button that moves a selected signal to the center of the passband of your narrow filter, then switch the narrow filter on. In many modes you can scan up and down the band hopping from one signal to another by clicking on a button which runs a "scan" macro command. The capabilities of the macros are limited only by your ingenuity.

MixW can key the transceiver in CW mode either using CAT commands - if the transceiver supports it - or through the keyer jack. Two serial port control lines are separately programmable: one can control PTT, if needed, and one can operate the keyer. PTT can also be done using a CAT command, if supported. Additional ports can be configured for PTT, RTTY direct FSK, rotator control and using a TNC. There are enough options here for the most avid data operator, I reckon.

MixW doesn't support my Elecraft K2 directly, but with a bit of experimentation I managed to get all features of the program working that I needed.

CW decoding works about as well as any of the standalone boxes you can buy for at least twice the price of MixW. It gives excellent copy on machine-perfect Morse, but the human brain does better on code that's less than perfect. I wouldn't rely on it to make CW QSOs, which is a pity, as my CW reading has always been a bit rusty.

There's so much in this program that I haven't tried even half of it. I spent an entire day just receiving and playing around. I haven't tried Amtor, Packet or Pactor (the latter requires a TNC to enable transmit capability) but even if it isn't up to the standards of dedicated hardware, it's still great to have these modes for casual use or listening. For SSTV, the free program MMSSTV is still the better product, but for all other modes, MixW has replaced the other software I used. There's a built in logger, but the program appears to interface to other logging programs if you use them, and a callsign database on CD if you have one. There are probably features I haven't even discovered yet! I think the developer has thought of everything.

An example of the thought that has gone into this program: you can define macros that work for all modes, but override them on an individual basis for each mode. So you can have a macro that starts with RYRYRY for RTTY, normal text macros for other data modes, and ones that use CW abbreviations for CW use, without having to laboriously create an entire set of macros for each mode. Macro sets can easily be changed, so you can have one set for normal QSOing, another for contesting.

I'm a tightwad, and I've always been extremely reluctant to use amateur shareware. So many ham radio programs are poorly written, with the user interface from hell, and crash whenever you do something the writer didn't think of, yet demand a hefty registration fee comparable to what you would pay for a commercial package that comes in a nice box. MixW isn't free, but it meets all the standards you would expect of a professional product, and I say that as a software developer and reviewer myself. It costs $50, but that's unbeatable value when you consider all the features it offers. This is one piece of ham software that's worth every cent. If you haven't tried it, what are you waiting for?
WG0I Rating: 2001-06-12
GREAT MULTIMODE SOFTWARE Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
MixW 2.0 is a GREAT multimode software program. I have tried a few others but think this package is the best of the lot!! A lot of nice features!
Highly recommended!
73
Mike WG0I
N1ZZZ Rating: 2001-04-30
even better Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Okay, I just downloaded the new version and it is even better than v1.45. The TX buffer is fixed, and it has all the great features of Digipan, plus all the other soundcard modes, and easy logging. I love the map, real-time meters, and display. I have a feeling this will be the new mainstay of my HF digital operating! I can't wait to get into all of the features of this software. Great Job!
NB6Z Rating: 2001-04-30
The Best! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
No serious digi mode operator should be with out this one! Finally all my favorite digi modes in one package with one automatic logging system.
Well worth 50 bux for this version of the program!