Hi folks. There has been much discussion concerning VISTA and its failure
to properly host current Ham-related programs.
I just received a new (refurbished) computer from Dell and of course, it has
VISTA on it. Some background first: I have basically two independent
stations. Station 1 – XP with MicroHam II controlling FT-2K. No problems
at all – works fine. The second station is a PRO III with a RigBlaster PRO
(old – two serial port connections for FSK). The new computer was destined
to control the 2nd station.
Always log into VISTA as Administrator, so no problems with program install.
DXLab, N1MM, WriteLog and others installed, and all function OK. Using a
KEYSPAN USB to 4 serial ports, and that installed and works fine under
VISTA.
Now is where the interesting part comes in. Trying to get MMTTY or
WinWarbler to run FSK has been a total disaster. I did manage to get CW
working, so PTT and the serial connections are OK. Have disabled the
on-board RealTEK HD Audio card, and installed a Creative Audigy ZS which has
Line In/Out, as well as MIC in. This card worked well on the old computer
under XP, so no suspicions as to the cards’ function.
WinWarbler soundcard is set up with “What You Hear” for Reception and
“Speakers (Creative SB Audigy )” as Transmission under the soundcard setup.
I am getting good audio to the decoder and it decodes incoming RTTY fine.
MMTTY set up OK to do FSK. However, when I transmit (both programs) I get
PTT activation and a steady carrier out – no modulation. Audio in from Rig
(ACC plug) is OK to the RigBlaster. Line Out from the RigBlaster to the
soundcard has audio, but at perhaps ? the level of the audio coming into the
RigBlaster. Anyway, getting receive audio OK. When I check line in from
the soundcard, there is no modulation – nothing out of the soundcard back to
the RigBlaster while transmitting, so no FSK input on the PRO III. Also,
nothing on Line Out of the RigBlaster to Line In of the Soundcard when
transmitting.
Normally I would expect the RigBlaster to be malfunctioning. However, with
the variables of VISTA and a difficult interface (RigBlaster PRO), I was
wondering if anyone has had success in getting such a mishmash to function
under VISTA. Would really appreciate any suggestions as next step is to
trash the RigBlaster PRO and reinstall XP on the computer. I would really
like to keep VISTA if possible as it is not going to go away and future OSs
from Microsoft are likely to follow the VISTA path. Pain now prevents pain
in the future I guess! <ha> Joe, got any good deals? <ha>
Really appreciate hearing any success stories (if there are any)…
Thanks much and 73,
Hank WB4ROA
