Digital Overview and Features


The complete digital part of the N1MM logger program has been designed, coded and is being maintained by Rick Ellison, N2AMG

General

N1MM logger is able to operate many digital modes thanks to the flexible way it has been set up. The interface will operate with MMTTY, MMVARI and all external TNCs.
This chapter will give an overview how to use the program in Digital Modes, giving information about keyboard functions, macros etc. At the end of the chapter some nice to have features.
The next chapter will give information how to set up the program followed by separate chapters about MMTTY, MMVARI and external TNCs..

When having troubles please first check the Digital Modes part of the chapter Frequently Asked Questions.

Making QSOs

This paragraph explains:

Make a Digital Mode transmission

Digital Need to know

Focus is automatically returned back to the Entry window when clicking a callsign in the Receive window
To get auto-CQ to work correctly with a TNC set you repeat time to at least 9 or 10 seconds. It may need to be longer if you have a longer CQ macro. This will stop the TNC buffer from receiving the next string before it finishes sending the last one.
It is best to add the command that your TNC uses to clear the transmit buffer to the end of your Abort Macro. If not, the transmit buffer still holds the remaining characters that were left in the sent string and will get sent the next time the TNC sends.
When using a TNC turn off Stop Sending CQ when Callsign changed this is located in the configuration area under function keys. If not every time you stop an auto-CQ and you type a callsign in the box it will send the abort string to the TNC.

QSO making tips

During the contest the contest infoirmation like callsigns, exchanges are showing in the Digital Interface (DI. This information has to be brought to the Entry window and split out over Callsign filed and the exchange fields. Also transmissions have to be made. In Digital modes the normal behavior as used in CW (using the insert key) and SSB (just type it in) can be used. There are some extra possibilities in Digital modes which can be used (Callsign box in DI and GRAB button, additional macros and hover mode in combination with the right click mouse button).

Using Hover mode:

The rate improver - Right Click = Enter not menu"

Selectifrom the settings menu in the Digital window "Right Click = Enter not menu".  When not using this setting then you need to give it a try. It could improve your rate greatly as your hand never leaves the mouse except for the occasional difficult exchange. And your eye do not have to move far from the Digital window either.  Making a qso means:
The right click takes the place of hitting 'Enter' for the ESM. Most of the time while in the contest I have one hand on the mouse and the other hand I have one finger resting on the space between the Esc and F1 keys. With that finger I can hit Esc if I have started a CQ and someone has started coming back to me.   73' Rick PA2AMG

Do you have... (what to check when it does not work)

Below the most common mistakes made setting up or using N1MM logger in RTTY mode.

Insert key Assignments

    Mode    
Enter Sends Message
(ESM mode)
    INSERT key or ; key does the following:

RUN

and

S&P
OFF
  1. Grab Callsign from call list if callsign field empty otherwise use call in callsign field.
  2. Prefills Exchange Boxes
  3. NO DUPE: Sends F5 (Hiscall) + F2 (Exchange)
    or
    DUPE: Sends Nothing
  4. Places cursor in next exchange field (Example: Sect)
RUN
ON
  1. Grab Callsign from call list if callsign field empty otherwise use call in callsign field.
  2. Prefills Exchange Boxes
  3. NO DUPE: Sends F5 (Hiscall) + F2 (Exchange)
    or
    DUPE
     WorkDupes checked: Sends F5 (Hiscall) + F2 (Exchange)
    WorkDupes not checked:Sends F6(Dupe)
  4. Places cursor in next exchange field (Example: Sect)
  5. Highlights F8 button
S&P
ON
  1. Grab Callsign from call list if callsign field empty otherwise use call in callsign field.
  2. Prefills Exchange Boxes
  3. NO DUPE: Sends F4 (Mycall)
    or
    DUPE
     WorkDupes checked: Sends F5 (Hiscall) + F2 (Exchange)
    WorkDupes not checked:Sends F6(Dupe)
  4. Once exchange entered INSERT sends F5-F2
    • Pressing INSERT again will continue to send F5-F2
  5. Places cursor in next exchange field (Example: Sect)

Configuring the Entry window function keys

Macro keys

There are several additional macros for an External TNC. Please check the chapter 'Digital - External TNC support'
Also please check the rules for macros when using MMTTY and MMVARI

Name lookup

The program has the possibility to lookup the name from a station entered in the Callsign field. For this to happen the following has to be done.

Example how to import the Friend.ini file from the WF1B program.

Outputting RX data to a text file

Outputting your RX data to a text file can be done in N1MM logger and in MMTTY.

SO2R

N1MM logger also supports SO2R for RTTY. You can use any combination of either 2 MMTTY windows, 2 TNC windows or a combination of MMTTY and a TNC for SO2R operation. Info about MMTTY soundcard setup and SO2R can be found in the N1MM logger Help file in the SO2R chapter