Elecraft

ERR KEY

Classic

List

Threaded

6 messages Options

Dennis Egan

ERR KEY

I wrote earlier today about what triggers the ERR KEY error on the
screen of the K3. I have had several suggestions about what it is, so
I'll reply to them generically.

The contest this past weekend was an SSB contest. The ERR KEY message
(and not ERR PTT) appeared 40 or 50 times. Yes, there was a cw keying
line attached to the radio, but it was never used.

The CONFIG:PTT-KEY in the K3 menu is OFF-OFF. The radio control part of
the N1MM+ software had DTR and RTS both off. None of the PTT via
hardware options was checked.

I happen to be using an SO2R Box, but others that have told me they are
having the same higher incidence of ERR KEY messages

The ERR KEY message seemed to be associated with use and stopping of the
Dueling CQ function of the N1MM+ software. The Dueling CQ function
would be stopped by entering something in an EW.

Both radios were connected to the computer via real Com ports. No USB
to Serial converters were involved.

I have been told by at least 6 other ops that they have seen an
increased incidence of ERR KEY messages. I don't know what firmware
they are using, but I know I am using 5.38.

The ERR KEY seems to be related to PTT timing, but I'm not totally sure.

If I could find other reasons why the K3 was producing that error, I may
be able to come up with a fix, either in software, in someone's
firmware, or in some setting within the K3 Config menu or N1MM+. Right
now, the only definition I have of the ERR KEY concerns shorting the
keying line when the rig is turned on, which definitely is not the case
here.

Dennis W1UE

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: ERR KEY

Dennis,

All the reports of this error message seem to be related to the use of
N1MM+, so if you have not done so, I suggest you ask the folks at N1MM
support about it.

Yes, that message should only occur if the key line or PTT is shorted
during a power on sequence.
So my question is "What is N1MM+ doing to activate that message?" There
may be some situations where the K3 firmware and N1MM programming is at
odds with one another - at least it seems that way. I have not
experienced anything like that.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/28/2016 6:09 PM, Dennis wrote:

> I wrote earlier today about what triggers the ERR KEY error on the
> screen of the K3. I have had several suggestions about what it is, so
> I'll reply to them generically.
>
> The contest this past weekend was an SSB contest. The ERR KEY message
> (and not ERR PTT) appeared 40 or 50 times. Yes, there was a cw keying
> line attached to the radio, but it was never used.
>
> The CONFIG:PTT-KEY in the K3 menu is OFF-OFF. The radio control part
> of the N1MM+ software had DTR and RTS both off. None of the PTT via
> hardware options was checked.
>
> I happen to be using an SO2R Box, but others that have told me they
> are having the same higher incidence of ERR KEY messages
>
> The ERR KEY message seemed to be associated with use and stopping of
> the Dueling CQ function of the N1MM+ software. The Dueling CQ
> function would be stopped by entering something in an EW.
>
> Both radios were connected to the computer via real Com ports. No USB
> to Serial converters were involved.
>
> I have been told by at least 6 other ops that they have seen an
> increased incidence of ERR KEY messages. I don't know what firmware
> they are using, but I know I am using 5.38.
>
> The ERR KEY seems to be related to PTT timing, but I'm not totally sure.
>
> If I could find other reasons why the K3 was producing that error, I
> may be able to come up with a fix, either in software, in someone's
> firmware, or in some setting within the K3 Config menu or N1MM+. Right
> now, the only definition I have of the ERR KEY concerns shorting the
> keying line when the rig is turned on, which definitely is not the
> case here.
>

tomb18

Re: ERR KEY

In reply to this post by Dennis Egan

I often get this message and I never use n1mm+.In my case it seems to have something to do with Vox, happening if I put my headphones down on the counter....Tom

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.-------- Original message --------From: Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> Date: 2016-03-28 6:25 PM (GMT-05:00) To: Dennis <[hidden email]>, Reflector Elecraft <[hidden email]> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] ERR KEY
Dennis,

All the reports of this error message seem to be related to the use of
N1MM+, so if you have not done so, I suggest you ask the folks at N1MM
support about it.

Yes, that message should only occur if the key line or PTT is shorted
during a power on sequence.
So my question is "What is N1MM+ doing to activate that message?" There
may be some situations where the K3 firmware and N1MM programming is at
odds with one another - at least it seems that way. I have not
experienced anything like that.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/28/2016 6:09 PM, Dennis wrote:

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: ERR KEY

On 3/28/2016 6:34 PM, tomb18 wrote:
> I often get this message and I never use n1mm+.

N1MM+ polling abuses the transceiver. Try setting the N1MM+ polling
speed to 50% less or 100% less. If you see this issue with other
software, make sure the other software is not overrunning the K3
processor.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

Guy Olinger K2AV

Re: ERR KEY

Same ole thing...

Always, always, always rule out ALL the programs and stuff ATTACHED to the
K3 before tearing apart your K3. The vast majority of "K3 problems" have
nothing to do with the K3. I'm sure that some day some smart psychologist
will explain why we continue to do that, all evidence to the contrary.

A certain someone said to me once, "It just can't be the programs." I asked
why not. I got a hostile look. "It's the K3, it's always the K3", he said.

It was N1MM and the serial port sharing software, finally put to rest **a
year and a half later**.

I wish that psychologist would get on his horse and explain this worrisome
predilection of ours. Bet it has something to do with needing to blame
someone for our distress.

73, Guy K2AV

On Mon, Mar 28, 2016 at 7:57 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> On 3/28/2016 6:34 PM, tomb18 wrote:
> > I often get this message and I never use n1mm+.
>
> N1MM+ polling abuses the transceiver. Try setting the N1MM+ polling
> speed to 50% less or 100% less. If you see this issue with other
> software, make sure the other software is not overrunning the K3
> processor.
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

Kevin Stover

Re: ERR KEY

I think it's directly proportional to the amount we spend on said device.
If we spend a lot for it, the the expensive doo -dad must be at fault
when things hit the fan.
Couldn't possibly be the software. N1MM+ is a great piece of software
used by thousands and the price is free, gratis, etc....It's not
perfect, never will be.

On 3/29/2016 9:11 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:

> Same ole thing...
>
> Always, always, always rule out ALL the programs and stuff ATTACHED to the
> K3 before tearing apart your K3. The vast majority of "K3 problems" have
> nothing to do with the K3. I'm sure that some day some smart psychologist
> will explain why we continue to do that, all evidence to the contrary.
>
> A certain someone said to me once, "It just can't be the programs." I asked
> why not. I got a hostile look. "It's the K3, it's always the K3", he said.
>
> It was N1MM and the serial port sharing software, finally put to rest **a
> year and a half later**.
>
> I wish that psychologist would get on his horse and explain this worrisome
> predilection of ours. Bet it has something to do with needing to blame
> someone for our distress.
>
> 73, Guy K2AV
>
>
>

--
R. Kevin Stover
AC0H
ARRL
FISTS #11993
SKCC #215
NAQCC #3441

---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]