Message-ID: <000701c2f033$e7c8a580$d6e136d2@bob2l2u6k2n1g3>
From: "Vernall" <vernall@xtra.co.nz>
To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org
References: <5.1.0.14.0.20030320183946.0260e158@gemini.herts.ac.uk>
Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2003 17:28:01 +1200
MIME-Version: 1.0
Subject: LF: Argo and Windows version
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; format=flowed
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Sender: <owner-rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org>
Precedence: bulk
Reply-To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org

Hi all,

Some time back I had a lot of difficulty with "clouds" forming when Argo was
set to dot lengths over 30 seconds.  I has Windows 95 as an operating
system.  I tried changes to sound cards, to no avail.  I recently tried an
upgrade to Windows 98, and that now gives thin lines for 120 second dot
seting, for a pure tone fed to the sound card.

So my advice for trying long dot lengths with Argo is to avoid using Windows
95.  Windows 98 is likely to give good results, also with consistent
frequency calibration.

The most recent Windows operating systems use the AC-97 protocol for control
of sound cards, for which specific sampling rate is "outside operator
control".  This can give initial errors in displayed frequency of the order
of 2%, but that can be reliably corrected using the Argo calibration
facility.  Once calibrated, the detailed (horizontal roll-out) displays have
good (crystal like) frequency accuracy and stability, however the wideband
(vertical roll-out) display shows twice the error compared to before
calibration was applied.

Summary:
1.  Dont bother with Windows 95 for long dot lengths
2. Argo works very well under Windows 98
3.  Things that go on inside recent Windows are hard to fathom
4.  Keep taking the tablets

73, Bob