YB3TD – Rivai

Newer technology require me to adapt and adopt. Before time, I’m a fanatic user of CT K1EA logging contest software. Then suddenly K1EA stop develop his software. It’s going worst when Windows XP go to market and complicated with no more serial ports (COM ports) and parallel port on newer version of notebooks or laptops. So no more possibility to keep using CT K1EA to help me logging during contest. Bye bye CT.

My head then turn to N1MM logging contest software. The only reason I choose (and only reason why I left CT) is N1MM can key up CW on my radio. N1MM can handle keying CW via serial port and trough serial port that converted from USB ports. As you know, newest notebooks are no longer equipped with serial/COM ports and parallel port. It’s replaced with USB ports, 3-4 ports for each notebook computers. So we have to buy a USB to serial cable adapter to convert our USB port to serial/COM port that compatible with N1MM requirements.

But unfortunately not all USB to serial cable adapter type can be used. Not only with N1MM, I found I can’t used also even with simple program like Hyperterminal. I don’t know why. Driver software was loaded. COM already set to COM8. But still can’t work. Here this the cable I was bought. The cable chipset is USB to serial adapter Semi-tech. This semi-tech usb to serial adapter as you can see on photo, has a white clear plastic cable cover. Inside the plastic cover is aluminium foil as interference shield. USB jack and serial jack DB9 are colored with blue-green clear PVC. This cable is not working to key CW on N1MM and simple loopback with Hyperterminal. I’m not test it with other gadgets.

Then I borrow USB to serial cable adapter from YD0NGA. It’s UMC211 Chipset Technology (Taiwan) but has Prolific chipset inside. The cable color is dark and different model with Semi-tech adapter. And whoala, this UMC 211 is work to key CW with N1MM. And another evidence of old aphorism, Good Thing is Not Cheap, Cheap Thing is Not Good. UMC211 price is US$1.5 while Semi-tech cable is only US$0.5 here in Surabaya city computer mall.

On N1MM side, some important things to notice:

1. set your COM port between number COM1-COM8. Because N1MM coded to work only on that COM range. N1MM programmer notice for COMs higher than COM8 are already a COM branches, not a root COM anymore. It will give some delay or even error during USB scanning.
2. Set DTR to “CW” while RTS to “always off”.
3. Make sure you USB to serial cable adapter driver is successfully installed.

To set you COM port, you can set it from Ports Device Manager. Klik Advance and you will see a radio button to change you COM setting.

So don’t wrong choosing cable. And happy contesting.

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On 2002, I was signing as YE2R from Karimunjawa island OC-186 along with some ham friends. At that moment, the QSL manager is Fransisco EA7FTR.

I though it would be first and last activation of YE2R callsign. But suddenly I was informed by friend YB2ECG that another team will signing YE2R to join CQWW SSB 2009 contest tomorrow.

It’s okay for me. But please take a notice that YE2R 2002 and YE2R  2009 is different team. So if anyone need QSL card for YE2R 2009, it should be not go to EA7FTR. Fransisco is not the qsl manager for YE2R. I’m not sure who is, but last time I heard, it’s either YB2ECG or EB7DX. Just check at QRZ to avoid confusing. But for you who need QSL card from YE2R 2002 Karimunjawa dxpedition, the QSL manager is still EA7FTR. Direct or buro (via URE).

Good luck YE2R 2009. Contesting is always fun.

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Sometimes people or company who deeply involve in marine business can’t decide well wether marine radio or ham radio equipment they should buy to support their operation. If budget is the main consideration, choosing ham radio equipment is common decision. Because usually marine radio equipment is more expensive couple dollars than ham radio equipment. But some technical characteristic on ham radio equipment can push to problems when they push ham radio equipment worked on marine radio operation bands.

Marine radio equipments are usually built on strong and thick case. It built to handle heavy duty and long duration. So the metal case, the paint and every external covers are designed well. Some marine radio  even also equipped with good seals to prevent water and vapour go inside the radio and corroding from inside.

Marine radio equipments are designed to work on marine bands. Same with ham radio equipments which well designed on ham radio bands. Some RF filters on those type are designed differently. It means, ham radio equipments can work on marine bands operation but will not give maximum performance. In common cases, it can damage the RF sections of the radio.

Marine radio equipments are designed to work on poor quality electrical power source. So it still can give you it best performance even they feed with under voltage, over voltage or unstable power source. But very difference with ham radio equipments which need perfect input power feed to it. Or you can damage the inside parts (and another extra unnecessary cost expenses).

Marine radio is not equal performance with ham radio equipment. There is only one disadvantage, the price. So please consider to keep choosing marine radio equipments if you work on marine bands. Maybe you will see higher expenses when you buy marine radios. But during their service, maybe you will save a lot of expenses and make more saving on radio maintenance post.

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