K3 and QSK
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I read the new K3 Quickstart Guide and noticed that with QSK button, I believe that you can only select SEMI or FULL, but no OFF. Why would I want an OFF function? I got in the habit of switching the breakin on my radio to OFF when it is unattended for a couple of reasons. One, I usually have a computer connected for CW keying and who knows if it will reboot or hangup. When my computer reboots, it usually has the LPT port in the wrong state and continuously keys the radio. The other reason is from the old movie, "On The Beach". From Wikipedia:
"The story is set in 1964, what was then the near future (1963 in the book) in the months following World War III. The conflict has devastated the northern hemisphere, polluting the atmosphere with nuclear fallout and killing all life. [...] "From Australia, survivors detect a mysterious and incomprehensible Morse code radio signal originating from the United States. With hope that some life has remained in the contaminated regions, one of the last American nuclear submarines, the USS Sawfish, placed by its captain under Australian naval command, is ordered to sail north from its port of refuge in Melbourne (Australia's southernmost major mainland city) to try to contact whoever is sending the signal. [...] "The Sawfish then travels to an abandoned naval installation in San Diego (in the book, it is located near Seattle), where they discover that, although the city's residents have long since perished from radiation poisoning, the Naval base's hydroelectric power is still on-line. The ship's communications officer is sent ashore in a radiation suit to investigate. The mysterious signal is the result of a Coca-cola bottle being nudged by a window shade teetering in the breeze and occasionally hitting a telegraph key." One of the first movies with commercial product placement! Seriously, I always thought that it was good practice and habit to disable the transmitter when not in the room. Even in the room, sometimes it is a good idea. The other day I was listening on the band and had the VOX on. The headset was on the table with the mike connected, but I had the speaker on to just listen as I was doing something else. I sneezed and tripped the VOX. I chuckled when someone, somewhere said "Bless you" over the air! _______________________________________________ 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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In many rigs the VOX control will perform the OFF function you're looking
for. With VOX off you'll need to push a Transmit button or supply an external PTT signal to activate the transmitter. I haven't read the manual yet but I bet the K3 works the same way. OFF is a very good idea when you're out of the shack. A couple years ago there was a "ditter" who was tracked down and found to be a ham with a misadjusted key that was sending out a steady stream of dits while he was out of the shack unawares. He was duly mortified when the DFers showed up at his front door. Also a good idea if you have cats. -- Carl WS7L _______________________________________________ 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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> In many rigs the VOX control will perform the OFF function
> you're looking for. With VOX off you'll need to push a > Transmit button or supply an external PTT signal to activate > the transmitter. I haven't read the manual yet but I bet the > K3 works the same way. The K3 QSK button has two states: QSK and SEMI-BREAK-IN. Holding the QSK button toggles between these two states. In SEMI-BREAK-IN the delay can be set with the DELAY control. Currently there is no "OFF" or PTT/footswitch capability in CW. 73, Ed - W0YK _______________________________________________ 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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Ed Muns wrote:
> The K3 QSK button has two states: QSK and SEMI-BREAK-IN. Holding the > QSK button toggles between these two states. In SEMI-BREAK-IN the > delay can be set with the DELAY control. Currently there is no "OFF" > or PTT/footswitch capability in CW. Over on the OMNI VII list a while back (I've since unsubscribed), this was a huge issue, and apparently TT did something in the firmware to make PTT active in the CW mode, something they had never considered during the design phase. The users were saying that in CW contest work, using full QSK is too distracting and tiring, but that any T-R delay at all is too much -- thus the desire for PTT (footswitch) T-R on CW. I'm a casual, not a serious, CW contester, so I have no opinion on the matter -- yet. However, I can understand the point of view. Bill / W5WVO _______________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by Ed Muns, W0YK
Ed Muns wrote:
> The K3 QSK button has two states: QSK and SEMI-BREAK-IN. Holding the QSK > button toggles between these two states. In SEMI-BREAK-IN the delay can be > set with the DELAY control. Currently there is no "OFF" or PTT/footswitch > capability in CW. Well...you can set it for full QSK and plug in a footswitch. Then the footswitch will switch the K3 into transmit. Of course, hitting the key without pressing the switch will still cause it to transmit, but you *can* use the footswitch (or PTT output of a computer logging program). -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco _______________________________________________ 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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> Well...you can set it for full QSK and plug in a footswitch.
> Then the footswitch will switch the K3 into transmit. Of > course, hitting the key without pressing the switch will > still cause it to transmit, but you > *can* use the footswitch (or PTT output of a computer logging > program). This is NOT footswitch-controlled CW! QSK must be off for PTT/footswitch to be useful. 73, Ed - W0YK _______________________________________________ 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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Ed Muns wrote:
>> Well...you can set it for full QSK and plug in a footswitch. >> Then the footswitch will switch the K3 into transmit. Of >> course, hitting the key without pressing the switch will >> still cause it to transmit, but you >> *can* use the footswitch (or PTT output of a computer logging >> program). > > This is NOT footswitch-controlled CW! QSK must be off for PTT/footswitch to > be useful. No, QSK must be off for the paddle to not be live. The PTT/Footswitch works fine with QSK on. I just tried it. Why isn't this useful? -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco _______________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO
In both contesting and DX'ing, whether CW or 'phone ... IMO ... a
footswitch is the ONLY way to go. The K3 DOES have this capability, doesn't it? 73! Ken Kopp - K0PP [hidden email] or [hidden email] _______________________________________________ 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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On Fri, Sep 21, 2007 at 04:31:46PM -0000, Ken Kopp wrote:
> In both contesting and DX'ing, whether CW or 'phone ... IMO ... a > footswitch is the ONLY way to go. The K3 DOES have this capability, > doesn't it? Yes. I use it that way all of the time. There is a phono jack input for PTT and a phono jack output for PTT to your amp. Tree _______________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by Ken Kopp
YES
On 21/9/07 17:31, "Ken Kopp" <[hidden email]> sent: > In both contesting and DX'ing, whether CW or 'phone ... IMO ... a > footswitch is the ONLY way to go. The K3 DOES have this capability, > doesn't it? > > 73! Ken Kopp - K0PP > [hidden email] > or > [hidden email] -- Don't look forward to the day you stop suffering, because when it comes you'll know you're dead. -Tennessee Williams _______________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by Vic K2VCO
Vic,
Other than those who just like to use a footswitch, CW PTT function (inhibiting the onset of RF) is a requirement with many VHF/UHF stations, and is used as the transceiver steering mechanism for some SO2R stations. I created a CW PTT circuit to add that capability to the K2. I figured the K3 has this already built in. Please verify that it does, and maybe this thread can settle down a bit. My current understanding is that if QSK is set to OFF, the paddles do *not* initiate transmit - the footswitch can start transmit and then the paddles will function. If it does not work that way, please clarify how it does work. 73, Don W3FPR Vic K2VCO wrote: > > No, QSK must be off for the paddle to not be live. The PTT/Footswitch > works fine with QSK on. I just tried it. > > Why isn't this useful? _______________________________________________ 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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Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Vic, > > Other than those who just like to use a footswitch, CW PTT function > (inhibiting the onset of RF) is a requirement with many VHF/UHF > stations, and is used as the transceiver steering mechanism for some > SO2R stations. I created a CW PTT circuit to add that capability to the > K2. I figured the K3 has this already built in. Please verify that it > does, and maybe this thread can settle down a bit. > > My current understanding is that if QSK is set to OFF, the paddles do > *not* initiate transmit - the footswitch can start transmit and then the > paddles will function. If it does not work that way, please clarify how > it does work. There is a choice between QSK and semi-QSK. In either case the PTT (footwitch or computer) is active. The paddle or key input, however, is also active. So if it's important to inhibit transmit caused by accidentally hitting the paddle before stepping on the footswitch, you'd need an external circuit to do that (it would be very simple, one transistor or relay). -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco _______________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by Vic K2VCO
> No, QSK must be off for the paddle to not be live. The
> PTT/Footswitch works fine with QSK on. I just tried it. > > Why isn't this useful? Because you cannot control transmit with PTT/footswitch. Hitting the paddle puts the rig into transmit. You cannot gate (prohibit) transmit with PTT/footswitch if QSK is still active. Some SO2R control boxes use PTT to enable each transmitter. You may want to insure your amplifier is switched on before RF is applied from the K3. There are lots of other reasons for having this traditional feature. Every radio on the planet has PTT/footswitch control for CW ... except the K2, and now the K3, unless it is added in the firmware. 73, Ed - W0YK _______________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO
Let us be clear. There are two questions in this discussion.
#1. Can you use external PTT to put the rig in CW transmit mode, bypassing both the full and semi QSK? This has been resoundly answered "Yes!" #2. Can you arrange for the CW key to be disabled when the foot switch is NOT pressed? I don't believe I've heard this answered clearly. #2 is exceedingly important. This was K1EP's original point when he started this thread. Here's another scenario that shows why: Suppose my foot switch actuates relays that switch between separate Rx and Tx antennas. If I can transmit by accidentally bumping the key, power will go to the receive antenna. Now imagine that I have a receive antenna with an external preamp. Poof! Preamp smoked. I would have to route my key through yet another relay if I could not have Tx disabled with no PTT. 73, Carl WS7L _______________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4
> My current understanding is that if QSK is set to OFF, the paddles do
> *not* initiate transmit - the footswitch can start transmit > and then the paddles will function. If it does not work that > way, please clarify how it does work. No. There are two states for CW on the K3: 1. QSK. 2. Semi-break-in. Transmit is activated when the paddle is closed. Yes, you can put the K3 into transmit with PTT, but you cannot PROHIBIT it from going into transmit by NOT asserting PTT. The paddle is always live. Moreover, you cannot stop transmission by releasing PTT if the paddle or KEY input is still making closures. 73, Ed - W0YK _______________________________________________ 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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I've only done footswitch PTT on phone. Interesting idea to do it on
CW. I like the "paddle disable" concept. So if the footswitch controlled a relay that was inserted between the paddles and the rig, then you could use the footswitch to disable and enable the paddles. The actual TR switching would be done by the QSK circuit. I guess if you wanted to swap antennas from RX to TX or do other things, then there would be more functions tied to the footswitch for antenna switching, amp enabling, whatever. Would this all be taken care of by an external box or does it have to be addressed in the rig? - Keith N1AS - - K2 5411.ssb.100 - _______________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4
On Fri, Sep 21, 2007 at 12:58:52PM -0400, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Other than those who just like to use a footswitch, CW PTT function > (inhibiting the onset of RF) is a requirement with many VHF/UHF > stations, and is used as the transceiver steering mechanism for some > SO2R stations. I created a CW PTT circuit to add that capability to the > K2. I figured the K3 has this already built in. Please verify that it > does, and maybe this thread can settle down a bit. This is an important point that I should have made before. We need an option to ignore any input on the paddle input (or CW input) unless PTT is asserted. Tree _______________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by Carl Clawson
While in the CW Mode here is how I would like the K3 to operate:
1. Change the firmware to add a 3rd state (OFF) to the QSK and SEMI-BREAK-IN CW modes. When in the "OFF" CW Mode hitting the paddle, or key, WILL NOT cause the rig to go into CW Xmit (but you will still hear the sidetone if enabled). 2. When placed in the newly added CW OFF Mode, pressing a footswitch connected to the rear PTT input will allow the paddle or key to go into CW Xmit. That's the way it works on 3 other rigs I have in the shack. I guess I just assumed that the K3 would be set up the same way. Frank - W6NEK ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carl Clawson" <[hidden email]> To: <[hidden email]> Sent: Friday, September 21, 2007 10:11 AM Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 and QSK > Let us be clear. There are two questions in this discussion. > > #1. Can you use external PTT to put the rig in CW transmit mode, bypassing > both the full and semi QSK? This has been resoundly answered "Yes!" > > #2. Can you arrange for the CW key to be disabled when the foot switch is > NOT pressed? I don't believe I've heard this answered clearly. > > #2 is exceedingly important. This was K1EP's original point when he > started > this thread. Here's another scenario that shows why: > > Suppose my foot switch actuates relays that switch between separate Rx and > Tx antennas. If I can transmit by accidentally bumping the key, power will > go to the receive antenna. Now imagine that I have a receive antenna with > an > external preamp. Poof! Preamp smoked. I would have to route my key through > yet another relay if I could not have Tx disabled with no PTT. > > 73, Carl WS7L _______________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by Ed K1EP
The K2 TEST mode inhibits TX in CW, but it doesn't affect SSB or RTTY
modes, only CW and TUNE. I see the K3 has a TEST button which in the quickstart is listed under SSB mode as alowing "off the air adjustments." I hope it applies to all modes, including CW. For me, an across the board TEST gate makes more sense than saying QSK mode = QRT. Leigh/WA5ZNU On Fri, 21 Sep 2007 10:41 am, W6NEK wrote: > While in the CW Mode here is how I would like the K3 to operate: > 1. Change the firmware to add a 3rd state (OFF) to the QSK and > SEMI-BREAK-IN CW modes. When in the "OFF" CW Mode hitting the paddle, > or key, WILL NOT cause the rig to go into CW Xmit (but you will still > hear the sidetone if enabled). _______________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by W6NEK
I too vote for a QSK OFF state to accomplish this -- it seems the most convenient way that I can think of My ICOM 735 uses VOX for this - it becomes "KOX" in CW mode. But I don't like that very well because when I switch to phone the VOX will be on and I dislike VOX. I guess that using VOX would be OK if the setting were mode-dependent, but on the old rig it's an in/out switch. 73, Carl WS7L _______________________________________________ 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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