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K3 Internal Keyer vs. Straight Key

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KE8G

K3 Internal Keyer vs. Straight Key

Dumb question here!

I have a K3/100 #4401 and I am using N3FJP software. I just purchased the Serial to Straight key cable. The setup instructions says the internal keyer must be turned off. I see nothing in the manual on how to do that.

Also, on the rear panel there is an input for paddles and one marked key. I believe that is for a straight key/PC, etc.

How do I turn off the internal keyer?
Or, can I keep the paddles connected (use when desired), plug the cable in the "key" input and use the software & PC? Have both connected at the same time?

Thanks in advance,
Jim - KE8G
73
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Re: K3 Internal Keyer vs. Straight Key

Jim, you have me confused. What is a Serial to Straight Key Cable? The
software you are using has nothing to do with a straight key. All you need to
have is a two wire cable or a center and shield connected between the key and
the Key Input. You need to turn the internal keyer off if you are using a rig
that has a single input for key and paddle to tell the transceiver which you
plan to use. I use mostly a straight key or bug with my K3 and seldom use the
internal keyer, but if you have paddles, just plug them in to the paddle input
and key with which ever key you feel like or swap back and forth. You can
parallel several straight keys and bugs and switch every sentence if you feel
like it.
Willis 'Cookie' Cooke
K5EWJ

________________________________
From: KE8G <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Sun, September 5, 2010 7:32:08 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Internal Keyer vs. Straight Key

Dumb question here!

I have a K3/100 #4401 and I am using N3FJP software. I just purchased the
Serial to Straight key cable. The setup instructions says the internal keyer
must be turned off. I see nothing in the manual on how to do that.

Also, on the rear panel there is an input for paddles and one marked key. I
believe that is for a straight key/PC, etc.

How do I turn off the internal keyer?
Or, can I keep the paddles connected (use when desired), plug the cable in the
"key" input and use the software & PC? Have both connected at the same time?

Thanks in advance,
Jim - KE8G
73
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Re: K3 Internal Keyer vs. Straight Key

That cable is the one you use if you want to use computer keying with the DTR
pin of the serial port. You will use it if you use the N3FJP macros or the
computer keyboard to key the transceiver. You don't use it if you want to key
with a straight key or bug.
Willis 'Cookie' Cooke
K5EWJ

________________________________
From: KE8G <[hidden email]>
To: WILLIS COOKE <[hidden email]>
Sent: Sun, September 5, 2010 8:11:44 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Internal Keyer vs. Straight Key

Willis,
Sorry, I guess a poor choice of words on my part. The cable is a serial-to-1/4
jack plug. Here's what is on the N3FJP website regarding this setup:

The serial module has been designed to provide a hardware link to the
transceiver from your computer's DB-9 serial port using the DTR (pin 4 of the
DB-9 connector) lead as the active signal and SGND (pin 5) as reference ground.
The parallel module uses pin 17 as the active signal and pin 1 as ground.
"Please note that these units replace the STRAIGHT KEY. To function properly,
you must turn off the transceiver's automatic keyer and plug the unit into the
STRAIGHT KEY socket. Keying is accomplished by the tip and sleeve of the Keying
Module plug in the same manner as a straight key would do."

I can see on my ICOM 746Pro, I would need to go into the menu setup and change
to a Straight Key configuration. But, I'm not sure with the K3, as it has the
"Paddle" input and the separate "Key" input.

So, in my mind (and I could be wrong) I can leave my paddles plugged in, and
also plug in the new cable into the "key" input for the computer.

Also, if that's not the case, how do I turn off the K3 internal keyer?
Jim
----- Original Message -----

>From: WILLIS COOKE
>To: KE8G ; [hidden email]
>Sent: Sunday, September 05, 2010 8:57 PM
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Internal Keyer vs. Straight Key
>
>
>Jim, you have me confused. What is a Serial to Straight Key Cable? The
>software you are using has nothing to do with a straight key. All you need to
>have is a two wire cable or a center and shield connected between the key and
>the Key Input. You need to turn the internal keyer off if you are using a rig
>that has a single input for key and paddle to tell the transceiver which you
>plan to use. I use mostly a straight key or bug with my K3 and seldom use the
>internal keyer, but if you have paddles, just plug them in to the paddle input
>and key with which ever key you feel like or swap back and forth. You can
>parallel several straight keys and bugs and switch every sentence if you feel
>like it.
> Willis 'Cookie' Cooke
>K5EWJ
>
>
>
>
>

________________________________
From: KE8G <[hidden email]>

>To: [hidden email]
>Sent: Sun, September 5, 2010 7:32:08 PM
>Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Internal Keyer vs. Straight Key
>
>Dumb question here!
>
>I have a K3/100 #4401 and I am using N3FJP software. I just purchased the
>Serial to Straight key cable. The setup instructions says the internal keyer
>must be turned off. I see nothing in the manual on how to do that.
>
>Also, on the rear panel there is an input for paddles and one marked key. I
>believe that is for a straight key/PC, etc.
>
>How do I turn off the internal keyer?
>Or, can I keep the paddles connected (use when desired), plug the cable in the
>"key" input and use the software & PC? Have both connected at the same time?
>
>Thanks in advance,
>Jim - KE8G
>73
>______________________________________________________________
>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
>
>

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3 Internal Keyer vs. Straight Key

In reply to this post by KE8G

Jim,

As another asked, please tell us more about what you are calling the
"serial to straight key cable".

On the K3 (unlike the K2), there is a separate jack for the straight
key, and no menu changes are required. Both are active. and there is no
need to turn off the internal keyer in the K3.

The N3FJP can use either the Winkeyer, or it can key using a serial
port. Normally applications will use either the RS-232 DTR or RTS
signal for keying. Check your application and see which one it uses,
and then go to the K3 CONFIG: PTT - KEY menu and set the appropriate one
to ON. Plug a serial cable between the K3 and your computer (you will
need that anyway to load firmware updates). No need for any cable
connected to the K3 key jack.
OTOH, if you have the Winkeyer (and you are calling that a serial to
straight key cable), yes, that will connect to the K3 key jack.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/5/2010 8:32 PM, KE8G wrote:

> Dumb question here!
>
> I have a K3/100 #4401 and I am using N3FJP software. I just purchased the Serial to Straight key cable. The setup instructions says the internal keyer must be turned off. I see nothing in the manual on how to do that.
>
> Also, on the rear panel there is an input for paddles and one marked key. I believe that is for a straight key/PC, etc.
>
> How do I turn off the internal keyer?
> Or, can I keep the paddles connected (use when desired), plug the cable in the "key" input and use the software& PC? Have both connected at the same time?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Jim - KE8G
> 73
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

Nr4c

Re: K3 Internal Keyer vs. Straight Key

In reply to this post by KE8G

NO need to turn off the internal keyer. I made my own serial cable to key
my K3 from the computer via N3FHJP as well as other programs, plugged into
the "Key" jack. Keep the Bencher plugged into the "Paddles" jack as well.

The cable is real simple, uses a 2n2222 transistor and a 1.2K resistor in
the base. Works well.

...bc

-----Original Message-----
From: KE8G [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Sunday, September 05, 2010 8:32 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Internal Keyer vs. Straight Key

Dumb question here!

I have a K3/100 #4401 and I am using N3FJP software. I just purchased the
Serial to Straight key cable. The setup instructions says the internal keyer
must be turned off. I see nothing in the manual on how to do that.

Also, on the rear panel there is an input for paddles and one marked key. I
believe that is for a straight key/PC, etc.

How do I turn off the internal keyer?
Or, can I keep the paddles connected (use when desired), plug the cable in
the "key" input and use the software & PC? Have both connected at the same
time?

Thanks in advance,
Jim - KE8G
73
______________________________________________________________
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KE8G

Re: K3 Internal Keyer vs. Straight Key

All,
Thanks for the information!

This is what I was hoping for; to be able to have both plugged in and choose
between which to use.

Thanks again,
Jim - KE8G
73

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Conkling" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Sunday, September 05, 2010 11:37 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Internal Keyer vs. Straight Key

> NO need to turn off the internal keyer. I made my own serial cable to key
> my K3 from the computer via N3FHJP as well as other programs, plugged into
> the "Key" jack. Keep the Bencher plugged into the "Paddles" jack as well.
>
> The cable is real simple, uses a 2n2222 transistor and a 1.2K resistor in
> the base. Works well.
>
> ...bc
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: KE8G [mailto:[hidden email]]
> Sent: Sunday, September 05, 2010 8:32 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Internal Keyer vs. Straight Key
>
> Dumb question here!
>
> I have a K3/100 #4401 and I am using N3FJP software. I just purchased the
> Serial to Straight key cable. The setup instructions says the internal
> keyer
> must be turned off. I see nothing in the manual on how to do that.
>
> Also, on the rear panel there is an input for paddles and one marked key.
> I
> believe that is for a straight key/PC, etc.
>
> How do I turn off the internal keyer?
> Or, can I keep the paddles connected (use when desired), plug the cable in
> the "key" input and use the software & PC? Have both connected at the
> same
> time?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Jim - KE8G
> 73
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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