Morse Runner for the Afreet of Foot, Part 2

Now let's talk about operation and eccentricities of Morse Runner. Presumably you have fooled around with it a little, and possibly been confused about the way it simulates contests. As we said before, the object of this exercise is to simulate actual contest exchanges, in this case the CQ WPX (Worked All Prefixes) contest. The object is to complete - and log - the two way exchange for each contact without error.

What's This Have To Do With N1MM

N1MM Logger is a popular free contest computer logging and control program that is in wide use in the contesting community. It does that superbly, but it is not a logger for general use. It has certain dedicated F-keys just for contesting. It also has two operating strategy modes, and a function called ESM. This sounds like mumbo-jumbo, but let's look at it.

Search and Pound?!?

The two modes of operation are 'running' and 'S&P'. Running means that you are calling CQ until someone replies, you quickly work them, and immediately go back to CQing. S&P stands for search and pounce, or as I call it search and pound. (I really pulverize stations with my 100 watts and wire loop antenna. hi.) It means you tune the band, find a station that is CQing, and work him. Then you tune to the next one and repeat. You can switch back and forth at will between the two modes.

And What, Pray Tell, Is ESM?

It stands for 'Enter Sends Message', a really cool feature. First, take a look at the computer F-keys for N1MM Logger. The basic F-keys are F1 through F3.

F1 - call CQ if you are running, or send your call if you are S&Ping
F2 - send your report (exchange data) to the other station
F3 - send TU (thank you) to confirm to the other station that you have copied the exchange correctly, and enter the contact into your computer log (N1MM)
F4 - send only your call
F5 - Send only his call
F6 - Send QSO B4 (this is a duplicate contact and you are not going to log it
F7 - Send ? asking the other station to repeat his exchange
F8 - Send NIL (Not In Log) the contact was not successfully completed and logged

So How Zit Work?

ESM works like this. If you are running, and you hit the enter key, the software starts your rig sending CQ in a loop, with about 2 seconds between CQs (operator adjustable). If you are in S&P mode, hitting that same enter key sends only your call. You are calling the CQing station for a contact. Next, if you hit enter again in either mode, it sends your exchange info to the other station. The third enter sends TU and QRZ, and enters the contact in the log when running, or just enters the contact in the log if S&Ping. This is a simplified description, but I hope you see that the concept of hitting enter three times and having the software do the rest is way cool. All you, as the human, have to do is key in the other stations contact data. Human, you can at least do that, can't you?

Meanwhile, Back With Morse Runner: Here're the Quirks

Every software program has its quirks, and this one is no exception. The timing of the QRM that you have enabled by checking the boxes in the Band Conditions area of Runner's screen, is predetermined before you start your practice session. A QRM station starts up on your frequency at random times. All the other such functions are also based on chance. Don't think that you are being picked on. hi.

Boy, Is He Strict!

The software enforces totally correct QSOs. You must have the other station's data correct, including call, RST, and serial number - and you must acknowledge to the other station that you have it correctly. He, in turn, must acknowledge to you that he has your data correctly, or ask for a repeat. If any one of the data items is incorrect when you log it, you lose a point. One curve ball of the program is if the other station 'thinks' that you have his call wrong - but you don't (in other words, he miscopied his 'own' call on your exchange), you must repeat his call back to him to acknowledge the correct call, or you or you will lost a point - even though the error was not yours.

Picky, Picky

One thing that really annoys me is (and I think this comes under the 'lid' checkbox), a station will call you once, and then disappear. Yes, this happens in a contest, but only rarely, far less often than with this program. The same with the other functions: an RST other than 599, or him sending an incorrect serial number, and then having to correct it. Once you have logged a contact, you can't go back and correct (edit) it in Runner, but you can in N1MM.

I worked over 500 CW stations in the ARRL DX CW Test, and not one of them did those things. But it does keep you flexible at all times, ready for whatever comes your way. Another annoyance is that on my three year old HP laptop, when I start it up, every software program on the whole machine insists on going out on the Net and checking for updates. These disrupt Runner severely, to the point that I sometimes stop the practice session and come back later. That's also why I use WinKey in actual contests. A function I wish the program had is a Pause key. You've got a good run going, you're in the groove, and the phone rings. Gotta start over, Bunky.

Final Thoughts

There is a script available to connect Morse Runner with an actual copy of N1MM for practice purposes. You enter the contact data in N1MM, and the script transfers the data to Runner, as if that is where you actually keyed it in. It's not easy to set up and configure, and it doesn't follow all the key strokes that you might use. I get really annoyed when the script malfunctions, and even though you have logged the correct data in N1MM Logger, it is not logged correctly in Runner, or occasionally not at all. I used the script for a few months, but got so aggravated with it that I went back to just Runner. At least Runner acts consistently, even with it's quirks.

One final reminder. You aren't actually sending a signal out over the air with a practice session. Morse Runner won't actually send anything - it's just practice. I hope I haven't discouraged you from trying Morse Runner. It has really helped me with my higher speed CW skills.

73 es Keep On Keeping On,

John the Left Handed Gorilla