Dave, I tried recording messages using WriteLog's DVK. To do this, I
believe you need to have a sound card that can simultaneously record
and play back. At any rate, my computer had a compatible sound
card. I tried and tried to implement this, but I was doing something
wrong. I read this excellent turorial: http://www.k9jy.com/
Universal_Setup/universal_setup.htm#CW/RTTY/SSB%20Messages But still
it didn't work. Finally, as I recall, the trick was to click on
"DVK" in the Setup/Ports menu. But I didn't like it. The problem
was the audio playing back from the computer didn't sound the same as
my "live mic" audio. I probably didn't have the levels quite right,
but certainly there was an extra step or two involved, and I found it
difficult to record messages on the fly.
I "solved" the problem by doing what Dick suggested. I record 4
messages in my 756 Pro III and recall them with the I-mate. Guys on
the air tell me there's no difference in the quality, tone, or level
between the live and recorded voice. Also--I don't know how to
explain this--somehow it's easier for my brain to "separate"
functions during a contest and reach over to push a button on the I-
Mate and rather than hitting one of the "F" keys.
73, Mark WA9IVH
On Jun 3, 2007, at 6:31 PM, Dick Dievendorff wrote:
> Some ICOM rigs can use an external button box like the iMate to
> play out the
> voice messages:
>
> http://www.qth.com/betterrf/i-mate.html
>
> But I don't see the IC-706 on the list of rigs supported by the iMate.
>
> Contest software that I am familiar with (CT, NA, WriteLog, N1MM)
> uses a
> voice file on the computer's hard disk and the sound card (or a
> specialized
> DVK card) is connected somehow to the rig's microphone input to
> play back
> data.
>
> One of my ICOM rigs' command manual indicates that there are
> commands that
> could be sent to the rig to cause it to play out the contents of
> the rig
> CW/Voice memories.
>
> But I haven't seen contest logging software mention any support of
> those
> commands. It's pretty rig-specific.
>
> I think you're going to have to manipulate the rig's buttons to
> cause the
> voice memories to be used. Otherwise I'd suggest using the sound card
> approach for software integration.
>
> As more ICOM rigs come with voice memories (at least the 706, 7000,
> 746,
> 756, and 7800) it might be appropriate to ask the contest software
> authors
> to investigate supporting the appropriate commands.
>
> What I don't know is if the rig's voice memory solution has
> anything to
> offer over the sound card solution other than the required wires
> between the
> rig and computer. There might be quirky issues like stopping a
> message
> playback in progress upon demand.
>
> If I were a contest software author, I'd emphasize effort on
> techniques that
> work for all rigs rather than concentrating on brand-specific
> solutions.
>
> There may well be software out there that does support playback of
> a rig's
> voice memory, but maybe not mainstream contest logging software.
> Here's a
> bunch of them:
>
> http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Software/Radio_Control/
>
>
> Good luck!
>
> 73 de Dick, K6KR
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: writelog-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:writelog-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of David Ashworth
> Sent: Sunday, June 03, 2007 2:47 PM
> To: writelog@contesting.com
> Subject: [WriteLog] Icom 706 voice keyer
>
> Hi to all, is there a simple way to get Writelog and a Icom 706 to
> key the
> transmitter and put out a simple "CQ VHF Contest" on FM and SSB?
> Saw a site
> that told how to record the voice messages into the "F" keys. Got
> that far.
> Looking for the interface that will make it work. Thank you for your
> comments, Dave, NC6P.
>
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>
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