Connecting Kent Straight Key and Paddle

[jrb-3]

Merry Xmas!

I wonder if I'm the only one in the country thinking about this stuff  
on Xmas Eve.

Anyway, I'd like very specific instructions about connecting it to my  
K2.

For instance what kind of plug (for each wire) and how soldered to  
the plug.

Just to take my best guess I've already bought RS Part 274-284 <1/8"  
stereo phone plug>, and wonder
if these will work. If so how to solder?

Sorry to be such a dope-

TIa,

Jeff

KG6ZVT
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[Chuck Gehring]

Jeff,
I have mine already configured and ready to go.  I used a Radio Shack Stereo
Y cable RS 42-2463.  Connected the paddle to one side of the Y cable with a
RS 274-284.  From the straight key I used a RS 274-274 in line stereo jack
that I modified in accordance with the K2 manual page 95 figure 8-1 and a
short pice of 1/8 stereo cable (about 6") RS42-2387.  I plugged the straight
key into the modified stereo jack and the 6" extension with the stereo plug
into the other Y cable connection. With this set up I can use either may
paddle or straight key all the time any time?

I hope this helps

Chuck  Gehring

-----Original Message-----
Subject: [Elecraft] Connecting Kent Straight Key and Paddle


For instance what kind of plug (for each wire) and how soldered to
the plug.

Just to take my best guess I've already bought RS Part 274-284 <1/8"
stereo phone plug>, and wonder
if these will work. If so how to solder?

Sorry to be such a dope-

TIa,

Jeff

KG6ZVT
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[EricJ-2]

You probably are!

You have the right connectors. For the paddle, determine which paddle is
going to be for dots. For most right-handers, the thumb is the dot, but
there's no standard. Use a three conductor cable (2 conductors and a shield,
e.g.) and connect the three wires to the paddle, one for dot, dash and
ground. I don't know how the Kents are set up. Obviously if they come with a
cable, you use that one. If not solder the wires to the wire lugs provided
or whatever attachment scheme Kent uses.

The stereo plug is made with three sections each insulated from the other.
The tip is appropriatedly called the TIP, the RING is the next section down,
and the large metal barrel is called the SLEEVE.

Slide the plastic housing for the plug onto the cable first.

Solder the dot wire from the paddle to the TIP connection inside the plug.
Look at the terminals inside carefully and you will see that it is clearly
the center one. Measure from the tip to the terminals with an ohmmeter if
there is any doubt which is the proper one.

Solder the dash wire from the paddle to the Ring. You will see that that one
is stacked below the tip connection. Again, to be sure you can measure
continuity from the ring to the terminals to see which one is right.

Solder the ground wire from the paddle to the sleeve. That is the large tab
that sticks out with some pieces on it to crimp the wire for strain relief.
There usually isn't any doubt about this one. You will usually see a little
hole about a 1/4" or so up that tab to solder to.

Screw the plug housing on and it is done. Plug it into the K2, make sure you
have selected INP/PDLn from the Menu and give it a try. If it works and you
get dots on the proper paddle, you're done. If it's backwards, just change
to PDLr.

Do the straight key the same way except you are going to be connecting only
to the TIP and the SLEEVE of the stereo connector. The Ring is not used. On
the K2 Menu select INP/HAND or you will get a string of dots every time you
close the straight key.

Hope this is what you were looking for. If not post again. I'll be in and
out all evening as we don't do anything on Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas, Jeff.

Eric
KE6US
www.ke6us.com

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of jrb
Sent: Saturday, December 24, 2005 1:43 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] Connecting Kent Straight Key and Paddle

Merry Xmas!

I wonder if I'm the only one in the country thinking about this stuff on
Xmas Eve.

Anyway, I'd like very specific instructions about connecting it to my K2.

For instance what kind of plug (for each wire) and how soldered to the plug.

Just to take my best guess I've already bought RS Part 274-284 <1/8"  
stereo phone plug>, and wonder
if these will work. If so how to solder?

Sorry to be such a dope-

TIa,

Jeff

KG6ZVT
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[Don Wilhelm-3]

Jeff,

Connect your paddle as a couple other folks have suggested - wire the dot
side to the tip of the stereo plug and the dash side to the ring.  Then add
2 diodes - one each to the Dot and Dash lines (it doesn't matter if the
diodes are at the key or at the K2 end of the cable, take your pick) - the
anodes connect to the paddle lines and the cathodes are connected together
and connected to the straight key (of course, the 2 keys must have their
ground side connected to the sleeve of the plug too).

Be certain your K2 is set for INP PDLn or INP PDLR in the menu, and also be
certain the Auto-detect feature is set on - from the menu INP, press EDIT
then tap DISPLAY - if you see ADET OFF, tap display again to turn it on.

73, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of jrb
> Sent: Saturday, December 24, 2005 4:43 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] Connecting Kent Straight Key and Paddle
>
>
> Merry Xmas!
>
> I wonder if I'm the only one in the country thinking about this stuff
> on Xmas Eve.
>
> Anyway, I'd like very specific instructions about connecting it to my
> K2.
>
> For instance what kind of plug (for each wire) and how soldered to
> the plug.
>
> Just to take my best guess I've already bought RS Part 274-284 <1/8"
> stereo phone plug>, and wonder
> if these will work. If so how to solder?
>
> Sorry to be such a dope-
>
> TIa,
>
> Jeff
>
> KG6ZVT
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
>  http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
>
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>
>

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