"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.