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 FLdigi Files FLdigi Setup Using FLmsg

Last Updated 02/16/2014 11:45 AM Latest  Revisions
FLdigi 3.21.74 10/19/2012
FLmsg 1.1.33  10/19/2012
FLwrap 1.3.4    09/23/2012
FLamp 2.1.00  10/19/2012
FLlog 1.1.6       10/19/2012 - Optional
FLnet 6.1.1       10/19/2012 - Optional
FLrig 1.2.13      10/19/2012 - Optional
FLwkey 1.1.4    10/19/2012 - Optional

WRmacro file last updated - 11/24/11
CheckSR procedure modified 8/1/11

Important message regarding upgrading older revs of  FLmsg to newer revisions FLdigi Setup

Optional files are note needed for normal FLdigi use. Feel free to experiment.

  If you have any questions or difficulties with the setup feel free to send me an Email at w1uv@arrl.net.

This also goes for any mistakes either in the setup instructions or my grammar. I've tried to catch everything but I'm sure I missed something.

 

 
                                                                                  My station

 

 
 
It may look neat in front, the back is another story

 

 
 
Inside my custom PC. The two big fans are for the CPU.

 

 

Photo of original Vibroplex telegraph key

   
We found the above card in an old dresser we bought. For those who are not familiar with the OSS: It was a U.S. Intelligence Agency started during WWII under the direction of Colonel "Wild Bill" Donovan. It was the precursor to the CIA which was formed just after the war.

The Vibroplex is a special kind of telegraph key and has been in production for 105 years. Morse code consist of two symbols, a Dit and a Dah, which is three Dits long. For instance, the character "a" is Dit sp DitDitDit, or DitDah.

You see the paddle at the right of the photo above: The operator creates each Dah manually by pressing the paddle to the right  at right speed for each Dah. Dits are created when the operator presses the paddle to the left. The Dits are mechanically created by a weighted spring. The longer the operator holds the paddle to the left the more Dits that are created. A kind of semi-automatic telegraph key.

Using a Vibroplex (also known as a "BUG") first requires a solid familiarity with Morse Code which requires dedication and lots and lots of practice. To use a Vibroplex  requires considerable more training and practice but speeds up to 40 words per minute can be obtained, something almost impossible with a straight telegraph key.

The Vibroplex has largely been replaced by electronic keyers which create both Dits and Dahs electronically with a similar looking, but much simpler telegraph key. My radio has a built in keyer and you can see my telegraph key in the picture above, the brass device to the right of the headphones. Press the left paddle and Dahs are automatically created. Press the right paddle and Dits are automatically created. The result is a much cleaner, easier to read, signal at any speed you chose. 

So this will give a flavor for the age and significance of this little card.

Learning Morse Code is no longer required to obtain a Amateur Radio license but still widely used by hams. Morse Code is the most reliable form of radio communications. All you have to hear are the tones of the Dits and Dahs to copy a message and that can be done with an extremely weak signal or one with interference. One aspect of Amateur Radio is Moon Bounce. Hams bounce signals off the surface of the moon to communicate over vast distances. Morse Code is the mode used. Within the past few years Hams have also bounced signals off of Venus. Again, Morse Code, and a lot of high tech behind it.  Morse Code is the original digital mode of communications and is not going away anytime soon.

02/16/2014