SDC 18.

[UT4LW Yuri Pavlov]

Version 18.01 has been published. Please study this message carefully.

The major and big change in the program is the SDC-Contest-SDC Audio system. 

The reasons why I implemented SDC-Contest-Audio subsystem in SDC. Initially, the subsystem was developed at the request of contesters who use several transceivers in SO2R...SOxR modes to combine the sound of several transceivers into one headphones. Additionally, during the development process, I was able to solve several problems related to incorrect operation of the Flex+SmartSDR system. The new system improves operator performance when using a single transceiver.

Reasons, and solutions:

1. Combine the sound and control the sound of multiple transceivers. No need to connect headphones, microphone, CW dongle and pedal to each transceiver. All these devices are connected to the computer. The standard sound card of your computer/laptop can be used. The microphone monitor, DIGI, and CW-Sidetone will operate remotely.

2. Telegraph key. Large number of settings. Full QSK. High-quality operation of the double-weighted key, there are correctors of operator errors. When using WDM-KS driver, ASIO delay is absent.

3. Transmission of CW macros. In remote mode, the self-monitoring works. The BreakIn pause is not added when the text macro transfer is complete. Added special characters: ~ - shortened pause between words, + - pass two letters together, e.g. A+R, B+K,...

4. One microphone for all transceivers. The microphone has a separate monitor level control. The microphone monitor can be turned off and the audio file transfer monitor will continue to operate. VOX. CW-Key can be used as a Footswitch. But you can connect the footswitch to the optional USB-COM adapter.

5.In SmartSDR, the monitor balance (L/R) does not work in SSB and DIGI mode. This problem is solved in SDC.

6. Having gained full control over the sound streams I solved several issues related to the incorrect operation of the AGC system in SmartSDR. Loud stations in CW (more than 9+10) sound with distortions, the sound is accompanied by artifacts and "cellophane". The operator may be concussed during the contest :-))). The AGC type is binded to the band, not to the type of modulation - this is a strange behavior of SmartSDR. SDC-Audio offers an alternative AGC system that does not have these disadvantages. Basic AGC parameter settings are available in SDC-Audio.

7. Automatic DAX channel control. For some reason unknown to me, in SmartSDR the DAX channel is bound to a band instead of a slice, which often leads to confusion. SDC-Audio monitors DAX channel binding to slice and automatically corrects problems.

8. QSO Audio Recording. In SmartSDR it is impossible to make an audio recording of a QSO due to the fact that this program does not have an audio output that contains monitor/CW-Sidetone. SDC-Audio solves this problem, the audio files will contain monitor/CW-Sidetone for all types of modulation. Several methods have been developed. Each QSO - independent recording of files for each New QSO window. Continuously - independent continuous recording for each New QSO window. Continuously Stereo - record audio files in stereo mode: New QSO 1 - left channel, New QSO 2 - right channel.

Disadvantages of the SDC-Audio system: A USB-COM-Key adapter is required for telegraphic key operation. However, it comes at a cost.

If you do not turn on the SDC Audio button, the system continues to operate as normal. The new version has been tested by several users.

SDC-Audio is described in more detail in the SDC-Contest-Audio-SDC Audio manual.


You will need a new registration to install the new version. This is due to many reasons, including the fact that there have been several cases of unauthorized transfer of keys to third parties. I am sure you understand the transfer of registration keys we are talking about. Please do not do this.

The program is free, everyone who wants to use it will receive new keys. Please do not forget that development of such complex programs as SDC is time-consuming and expensive. Therefore, voluntary donations are welcome :).

Version 17.xx will be maintained through the end of May 2025.

[UT4LW Yuri Pavlov]

I've updated the manual in the install file. Please reinstall version 18.01, or download the manual here.

понедельник, 14 апреля 2025 г. в 21:00:13 UTC+3, UT4LW Yuri Pavlov:

[UT4LW Yuri Pavlov]

SDC v18.03

The terminal (Alt+T) in SDC-Contest is adapted for SDC-Audio mode.

Manual updated. Added description of working with ASIO4ALL.

...

At this point, the issue of connecting the CW dongle to the COM port in macOS is still unresolved. If someone will experiment, try a USB-COM adapter based on FTDI chip.

вторник, 15 апреля 2025 г. в 00:55:59 UTC+3, UT4LW Yuri Pavlov:

[UT4LW Yuri Pavlov]

Preparing for CQ-WPX-CW. 36 hours is hard for a single operator to sustain.
The new SDC-Audio system with its AGC system has improved reception and operator comfort. But there is another major problem in the Flex's sound. Many people have noticed that the beginning of a CW transmission in the operator's headphones sounds strange, as if something else is present in the headphones at the same time as their tone signal. This makes it difficult to operate the key and "puts pressure" on the operator's ears. I found out that once the transmission starts, the receiver sound continues to play in the operator's headphones. This is what the letter "D" looks like: the dash sounds at the same time as the receiver noise and has turned into a blur.

I was able to solve this problem. Now the letter "D" looks like this:

Both snapshots show operation in FULL QSK mode.
Additionally, I added modules that eliminate clicks during TX/RX switching.

This system is implemented in version 18.0311.

Right now my setup looks like this:

As a reminder, the BreakIn Delay time (300ms in the snapshot) is not applied at the end of the macro. I.e. after "TU" the transceiver will not remain in transmit mode for another 300 ms, but will switch to receive mode immediately after the last dash.

четверг, 17 апреля 2025 г. в 18:28:42 UTC+3, UT4LW Yuri Pavlov:

[UT4LW Yuri Pavlov]

Please read the manual before using RIG-Audio. Incorrect setting of the transceiver may cause CW distortion.

вторник, 29 апреля 2025 г. в 18:40:39 UTC+3, UT4LW Yuri Pavlov:

[UT4LW Yuri Pavlov]

Version 18.04 has been published. It contains all the changes that were made to the program in test versions 18.03xx.
The RIG-Audio system worked well in CQ-WPX-CW. During the contest I was troubleshooting the problems I found, thanks to the users who were quick to report them. Users note high quality of the sound and Sidetone sound.

The COM port issue for the paddle in MacOS has not been resolved. The port refuses to work even at the system library level. Perhaps a USB-COM adapter with a specific chip is required.

суббота, 24 мая 2025 г. в 21:15:58 UTC+3, UT4LW Yuri Pavlov:

[UT4LW Yuri Pavlov]

v 18.0404. The RIG Audio system introduces a feature for replaying a few seconds of airtime.

 For example, I did not accept the report completely. In order not to delay the operator, I send him a report (F2 button), press Ctrl+Backspace to listen to the receiver again and finalize the exchange number. Then Ctrl+Enter to save the QSO.