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K2 and Linux contest logging

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Neil Martinsen-Burrell

K2 and Linux contest logging

For my first time ever, I have a computer connected to my radio! (Thanks
Elecraft for the parts and great instructions for building the KIO2
interface cable.) Now my problem is how to achieve my desired behavior with
that connected Linux computer.

My initial goal is to have the computer communicate with the radio for CW
contesting. Can anyone here tell me of a solution that has worked for them?

My setup is a small dual-core Intel Atom desktop running Ubuntu Linux,
connected from a real serial port (/dev/ttyS0) via the Elecraft cable to
the K2. I tested rig control with the rigctl program, fldigi, and K2Remote
under WINE. Everything appears to work well (except I don't think that I
was using fldigi correctly). In particular, I was able to send CW with both
rigctl (hamlib) and K2Remote.

I have used Trlog for Linux before for contest logging, but I was not able
to send CW from within Trlog using only the serial data connection to the
K2. Is that possible or not? Do I need a serial port keying circuit as
well?

I have also used N1MM before for contest logging, even under WINE on Linux.
From searching online, it appears that N1MM+ will not run under WINE. When
I went to look for the old version of N1MM that I had used in the past, I
found that N1MMclassic.hamdocs.com is no longer online. Does anyone know
how to get an old version of N1MM logger that will work with Linux under
WINE?

Are there any K2 owners who use Linux computers for sending CW from a
contest logger? What do you do that works?

-Neil N0FN
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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: K2 and Linux contest logging

Oh no, Neil -- you've gone over to the Dark Side ;-)

73, Phil W7OX

On 6/4/16 4:51 PM, Neil Martinsen-Burrell wrote:
> For my first time ever, I have a computer connected to my radio!
> -Neil N0FN

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a45wg-2

Re: K2 and Linux contest logging

In reply to this post by Neil Martinsen-Burrell

Neil -
2 Great choices here. Elecraft and Linux.

If you want a full contest CW system then you can configure TRLinux.

I would go easy on running things under Wine - as depending upon what DLL’s have been used - effects how the emulation will work. If you really really need to use a Windows application and are having in Wine - then consider using a Virtual Machine (Oracle VirtualBox is free and VERY reliable).

I did recompile get running TLF (Try Left Foot).

If you can program .. Just a little bit…. Then getting a CW capability using Python is about 2 hours work (Less if I send you the source code).

73s de Tim - A45WG

> On 5 Jun 2016, at 03:51, Neil Martinsen-Burrell <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> For my first time ever, I have a computer connected to my radio! (Thanks
> Elecraft for the parts and great instructions for building the KIO2
> interface cable.) Now my problem is how to achieve my desired behavior with
> that connected Linux computer.
>
> My initial goal is to have the computer communicate with the radio for CW
> contesting. Can anyone here tell me of a solution that has worked for them?
>
> My setup is a small dual-core Intel Atom desktop running Ubuntu Linux,
> connected from a real serial port (/dev/ttyS0) via the Elecraft cable to
> the K2. I tested rig control with the rigctl program, fldigi, and K2Remote
> under WINE. Everything appears to work well (except I don't think that I
> was using fldigi correctly). In particular, I was able to send CW with both
> rigctl (hamlib) and K2Remote.
>
> I have used Trlog for Linux before for contest logging, but I was not able
> to send CW from within Trlog using only the serial data connection to the
> K2. Is that possible or not? Do I need a serial port keying circuit as
> well?
>
> I have also used N1MM before for contest logging, even under WINE on Linux.
> From searching online, it appears that N1MM+ will not run under WINE. When
> I went to look for the old version of N1MM that I had used in the past, I
> found that N1MMclassic.hamdocs.com is no longer online. Does anyone know
> how to get an old version of N1MM logger that will work with Linux under
> WINE?
>
> Are there any K2 owners who use Linux computers for sending CW from a
> contest logger? What do you do that works?
>
> -Neil N0FN
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

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Mike Markowski-2

Re: K2 and Linux contest logging

In reply to this post by Neil Martinsen-Burrell

Neil,

I'm far from a hard core contester but enjoy DXCC, Field Day, etc. For
me the best solution has been xlog along with hamlib & cwdaemon. I made
a small NPN transistor-based circuit in an Altoids tin to do serial port
based PTT keying for cwdaemon. (I picked up an Edgeport usb-to-serial
converter on ebay for $20.) It's a simple set up and works well for my
level of contesting.

It also has the advantage of keying any rig. I use it with my K1,
though of course hamlib can't interact with that rig.

Good luck and 73,
Mike ab3ap

On 06/04/2016 07:51 PM, Neil Martinsen-Burrell wrote:
> For my first time ever, I have a computer connected to my radio!
>
> [...]
>
> Are there any K2 owners who use Linux computers for sending CW from a
> contest logger? What do you do that works?
>
> -Neil N0FN
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Jim KO5V

Re: K2 and Linux contest logging

In reply to this post by Neil Martinsen-Burrell

I cannot directly answer your questions about logging programs with Ubuntu, but I can say that Oracle Virtual Box running XP has worked well for me - a LOT better than attempting to run some programs with Wine. I must also say that I did go back to Ubuntu 12.4 after a later upgrade lobotomized my machine, so I am a bit behind the curve. I need to spend some time and see if I can upgrade to something a bit more current, but the last upgrade was a disaster!

Good luck, and let us know what you find out,

73, Jim KO5V
K2 7225
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Neil Martinsen-Burrell

Re: K2 and Linux contest logging

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. It appears that regardless of the
logging program, I will need some additional connection between the radio
and the computer for CW keying. Not even N1MM+ on Windows supports keying
the K2 over the serial port using the native KY; command.

At this point, I will probably resurrect a K3NG Arduino-based keyer that I
had built before and try to use the WinKeyer support in that keyer
firmware. If that will play with TRLinux, then I imagine I will stick with
what I know (a tiny bit), but it appears that there is a wide gap in the
market for a modern GUI contest logger on Linux. ;)

Thanks again to everyone for their suggestions.

-Neil N0FN
On Jun 5, 2016 10:49, "Jim KO5V" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I cannot directly answer your questions about logging programs with
> Ubuntu, but I can say that Oracle Virtual Box running XP has worked well
> for me - a LOT better than attempting to run some programs with Wine. I
> must also say that I did go back to Ubuntu 12.4 after a later upgrade
> lobotomized my machine, so I am a bit behind the curve. I need to spend
> some time and see if I can upgrade to something a bit more current, but the
> last upgrade was a disaster!
>
> Good luck, and let us know what you find out,
>
> 73, Jim KO5V
> K2 7225
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

Vic Rosenthal

Re: K2 and Linux contest logging

What I did with my K2 was to appropriate the wire used for ALC in the K2-to-computer cable and connect it to the DTR pin of the computer's RS232 port. Then I added two Schottky diodes inside the K2 from this DTR line to the dit and dah inputs for the internal keyer. Finally, I set the menu parameter in K2 that allows a simultaneous paddle closure to act as a hand key input and told N1MM to use DTR keying.

With a paddle plugged into the K2's key jack I can use computer or manual keying at will. If your Linux logging program supports DTR CW keying, this is a simple solution.

Vic 4X6GP

> On 6 Jun 2016, at 05:05, Neil Martinsen-Burrell <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. It appears that regardless of the
> logging program, I will need some additional connection between the radio
> and the computer for CW keying. Not even N1MM+ on Windows supports keying
> the K2 over the serial port using the native KY; command.
>
> At this point, I will probably resurrect a K3NG Arduino-based keyer that I
> had built before and try to use the WinKeyer support in that keyer
> firmware. If that will play with TRLinux, then I imagine I will stick with
> what I know (a tiny bit), but it appears that there is a wide gap in the
> market for a modern GUI contest logger on Linux. ;)
>
> Thanks again to everyone for their suggestions.
>
> -Neil N0FN

Bill Frantz

Re: K2 and Linux contest logging

In reply to this post by Neil Martinsen-Burrell

I believe RUMlogNG uses native commands for CW keying and RTTY.
It sends CW & RTTY through a single USB/RS-232 interface.

73 Bill AE6JV

On 6/5/16 at 7:05 PM, [hidden email] (Neil
Martinsen-Burrell) wrote:

>Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. It appears that regardless of the
>logging program, I will need some additional connection between the radio
>and the computer for CW keying. Not even N1MM+ on Windows supports keying
>the K2 over the serial port using the native KY; command.

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