Dave:
You've got me thinking now.
I do have a Braille Note Apex.
I wonder how I could offload the computer speech output to it, hence freeing
up the normal computer sound card for the contest voice exchanges.
Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Marthouse" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2013 1:32 PM
Subject: Re: alternative contest logging programs
> Tom,
>
> This may be an idea out of left field but you may want to consider getting
> a
> hardware synthesizer for your computer. Using this device would allow you
> to offload the speech output of the computer to the synthesizer. This
> would
> free up your windows soundcard so that you can use N3FJB software. This
> would eliminate the necessity of a whole new software package and the
> accompanying learning curve.
>
> Dave Marthouse N2AAM
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2013 12:52 PM
> Subject: alternative contest logging programs
>
>
>> Hi, folks.
>>
>> As I think many of you know, I have gotten very much into contesting over
>> the past few years, and have been using the N3FJP logging software
>> package
>> as my main means of logging contest contacts.
>>
>> The software actually is quite good in terms of interfacing with Jaws and
>> windows, and the price of the entire software package certainly can't be
>> beat.
>>
>> In recent weeks, however, I have begun to re-think the N3FJP contest
>> logging
>> option at least a bit. The reason is rather simple.
>>
>> As our friend, Steve, KW3A knows all to well, I have been trying to
>> figure
>> out a way to record contest voice exchanges, and transmit them with my
>> TS590
>> via a connection between my laptop and the TS590. My goal simply has
>> been
>> to create voice contest exchanges on the computer, and be able to access
>> them as needed via one of the function keys on the computer keyboard.
>>
>> While this sounds like it would be pretty straight forward, it has not
>> turned out to be this easy.
>>
>> It turns out that the N3FJP software uses the Windows default sound card
>> to
>> play the wave files that tell you which fields you are in as you enter
>> contest log data. And, these wave files can only be played through the
>> windows default sound card. Apparently, this condition cannot be changed
>> in
>> the N3FJP software, and this greatly limits what I can do in the way of
>> interfacing the TS590 with my laptop, where the contest voice exchanges
>> are
>> recorded.
>>
>> AS a result, I'm now beginning to wonder whether I might want to look at
>> other contest logging software that might have more flexibility in
>> switching
>> sound cards for various purposes.
>>
>> Some folks on this list have mentioned using the N1MM software, and I
>> know
>> some others use Writelog, but I believe there are significant costs
>> associated with each of these packages. Plus, I believe you also have
>> to
>> buy separate software for each contest.
>>
>> For now, my short-term solution is to directly record at least a CQ
>> contest
>> voice exchange directly on the TS590 using the VGS1 voice recorder, but
>> the
>> risks there involve the possibility of making an error by hitting the
>> wrong
>> voice memory key in the heat of a contest, if you have more than one
>> exchange.
>>
>> If anyone has any thoughts on these alternative logging software
>> programs,
>> please send them my way. Any cost info would be appreciated as well.
>>
>> 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>
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