"Stefan Wolfe" wrote in message
...

"AaronJ" wrote in message
...
"Stefan Wolfe" wrote:

"AaronJ" wrote in message

I once wrote a homebrew CW receive program...

Does your program only receive CW or does it transmit as well?

My programs both send and receive CW. But I don't use computer CW all
that often
anymore. These days my favorite way to work CW has become laying back in
my big
recliner relaxing with my eyes closed. A computer would just be in the
way. I've
found that In CW as in life position can greatly improve the endeavor...


I like doing that too. I mostly listen to CW QSO's in a relaxed mode, like
you. It is very enjoyable!

The reason I asked the question is because the Part 97 technicalities seem
to raise some interesting issues. For example, when using such programs,
does the radio actually transmit A1A does it transmit SSB with the analog
sound card output connected to the mike input? I believe it is usually
(but not always) the latter.
"CW" by FCC definition (for band allocation purposes) is A1A only.

Using a sound card output or modem that is electrically coupled to the
mike input, I believe one would be transmitting suppressed carrier SSB AM,
not A1A but more likely J3A or J3B (if the code is super fast).

In any case, with such programs one might technically be receiving A1A CW
but transmitting sideband carrier modulated data. That is legally OK since
the CW sub-bands also allow "digital" (transmitted in an analog fashion),
which would comprise both the carrier modulated modes and the phase shift
modulated modes (like psk31 etc.).

If the computer used acoustic coupling from speaker to mike, (perhaps
using the VOC as the PTT switch), I believe that would not be legal on the
CW sub-bands; that would be classified as J3E voice. One cannot hold the
mike to the computer speak, press PTT and transmit.

My reading would be, computer "CW" (with sound card output electrically
coupled to mike input and does not operate true A1A), is still legal in
the CW sub-bands provided the data coupling from computer to radio is
electrical and not acoustic.

Actually, I would think acoustic coupling has superior protective
isolation between radio and computer, better than toroids and
optocouplers. Why should it make a difference legally? Because the FCC has
these definitions, you see. The technology with the best isolation is also
illegal to operate on the CW sub-bands as soon as anything in the circuit
is reduced non-EM waves (sound). It becomes J3E (voice).

Although electrically coupled J3A and J3B are legal in the CW sub-bands,
one should observe the gentlemen's agreements in the band sharing plans
and transmit computer CW that uses J3A and J3B only in the appropriate
sections, not in the entire sub-band as A1A is permitted to do.

This would imply, of course, that computer programs for CW are not
acceptable (even if legal) across the entire CW allocation unless the
output actually "keys" the CW carrier. They are NOT equivalent to CW.



Most CW computer programs are set up so that for transmission you set the
radio to CW mode and then run a line from a computer serial port to the
straight key jack on the radio. Therefore you are using an actual A1A
transmission. Right off hand, I don't know any CW programs that feed a tone
into the mic jack although I suppose there could be some out there.

Dee, N8UZE