Elecraft

K3 / KX3 Key Jack

Classic

List

Threaded

3 messages Options

W4JBB

K3 / KX3 Key Jack

Okay, I think I am losing my mind. Is the K3 key jack stereo or mono?
I know I only use two wires for a key, but for some reason, I have a
stereo (TRS) plug on my key cable. I cannot find what I'm looking for
in the manual either.

I don't think the wiring for the KX3 matters (either T or R is used for
keying with a straight key if set for HAND).

I'm building an external keyer that I'm going to use with both a paddle
and a straight key. I also want to switch the output of the keyer
between the K3 and the KX3 so I don't have to swap cables all the time.

73,
Joel - W4JBB
______________________________________________________________
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

Bill Gerth

Re: K3 / KX3 Key Jack

Joel,

Both the K3 and KX3 have internal keyers so a stereo connection is required in order to get the three required connections: ground, paddle dot, and paddle dash. My experience is with the KX3 only but I think the K3 works the same way. The KX3 manual states that the sense of whether the tip contact is for dot or dash is menu programmable. The third menu selection is for Hand keys and either tip or ring will work for the hand key connection.

Hope this helps,

73,

BILL GERTH, W4RK
Jefferson City, MO
First Licensed 1954
CWOPS #459
4 States QRP Group
KX3 (S/N 112)

On Apr 19, 2013, at 8:25 PM, Joel Black wrote:

> Okay, I think I am losing my mind. Is the K3 key jack stereo or mono? I know I only use two wires for a key, but for some reason, I have a stereo (TRS) plug on my key cable. I cannot find what I'm looking for in the manual either.
>
> I don't think the wiring for the KX3 matters (either T or R is used for keying with a straight key if set for HAND).
>
> I'm building an external keyer that I'm going to use with both a paddle and a straight key. I also want to switch the output of the keyer between the K3 and the KX3 so I don't have to swap cables all the time.
>
> 73,
> Joel - W4JBB
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3 / KX3 Key Jack

In reply to this post by W4JBB

Joel,

Use a stereo plug for both the K3 and the KX3. Connect the keyer to the
tip and the sleeve on both plugs (no connection to the ring) and it
should work just fine. Set the KX3 menu to Hand.

Yes, it does not matter to the KX3 whether the tip or ring are used, but
connecting only to the tip will allow use of the plug into multiple
transceivers with no changes. Many will not work with keying to the
ring contact.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 4/19/2013 9:25 PM, Joel Black wrote:

> Okay, I think I am losing my mind. Is the K3 key jack stereo or mono?
> I know I only use two wires for a key, but for some reason, I have a
> stereo (TRS) plug on my key cable. I cannot find what I'm looking for
> in the manual either.
>
> I don't think the wiring for the KX3 matters (either T or R is used
> for keying with a straight key if set for HAND).
>
> I'm building an external keyer that I'm going to use with both a
> paddle and a straight key. I also want to switch the output of the
> keyer between the K3 and the KX3 so I don't have to swap cables all
> the time.