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[K3S] Radio transmits when computer powered on

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N7US

[K3S] Radio transmits when computer powered on

I've lost track of the (menu?) setting that prevents the K3 or K3S from
going into TX when the attached computer is powered on. The radio goes into
TX two or three times when the computer starts.

73, Jim N7US

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k6dgw

Re: [K3S] Radio transmits when computer powered on

Let the computer boot up before turning on the radio. Windows tickles
the various lines in the serial ports [real and USB] as it deadstarts.

73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 7/22/2018 2:07 PM, Jim N7US wrote:
> I've lost track of the (menu?) setting that prevents the K3 or K3S from
> going into TX when the attached computer is powered on. The radio goes into
> TX two or three times when the computer starts.
>
>
>
> 73, Jim N7US
>

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Clay Autery-2

Re: [K3S] Radio transmits when computer powered on

In reply to this post by N7US

Some of this is a place to start:

PTT-KEY OFF-OFF (Advanced) Allows selection of RTS or DTR lines (via the
USB or RS232
ports) to activate PTT or key the K3S. (See pg. 19 for connections.)
Example: if
the parameter is set to RTS-DTR, then the RTS line will activate PTT,
and DTR
will key the rig. Note: If a computer or other device asserts RTS or DTR
while
you’re in this menu entry, the K3S will switch to TEST mode (zero
output) as a
precaution. The TX icon will flash as a reminder. To avoid this, make sure
software has flow control and/or keying options turned OFF while you’re
changing the PTT-KEY selection.

TX LED on all the time: This could indicate that PTT is being held on by
external equipment. (Verify that
CONFIG:PTT-KEY is set to OFF-OFF if not keying via the USB or RS232
ports. Try disconnecting
equipment connected to the ACC, USB, and RS232 jacks.) Also check VOX
gain (unplug mic if necessary).

Unless you NEED the option, turn it off.... IF you need it, make sure
you setup flow control....

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
(318) 518-1389

On 22-Jul-18 16:07, Jim N7US wrote:

> I've lost track of the (menu?) setting that prevents the K3 or K3S from
> going into TX when the attached computer is powered on. The radio goes into
> TX two or three times when the computer starts.
>
>
>
> 73, Jim N7US
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

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Lyle Johnson

Re: [K3S] Radio transmits when computer powered on

In reply to this post by N7US

In cases like this, please check the firmware release notes for the
radio. The info is often not found in the manual, which gets updated
infrequently. I added the bolding...

73,

Lyle KK7P

*MCU 5.33 / DSP 2.86 / FPF 1.23, 8-3-2015*
...

** PTT/KEY USE WITH THE USB PORT IMPROVED:* PC applications can
activate PTT and KEY at the K3S via the USB port's RTS/DTR signals.
However, initial setup of the rig's USB port by the PC may cause pulsed
or continuous activation of the transmitter. This can happen if the
computer is turned on after the K3S, or if the USB cable is not
connected. There is now a "Safe" mode (the default) which disables
PTT-KEY transmit until the K3S receives a command via USB, such as a
read of the rig's VFO frequency. *To turn on safe mode on/off, go into
CONFIG:PTT-KEY and tap '1' to select "USB SAFE" or "UNSAFE". Exit the
menu and turn the K3S off/on. *Applications that use PTT-KEY via USB but
never send commands may require "UNSAFE" mode. In this case, unwanted
transmit can be avoided by turning the PC on before the K3S.

> I've lost track of the (menu?) setting that prevents the K3 or K3S from
> going into TX when the attached computer is powered on.

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Don Wilhelm

Re: [K3S] Radio transmits when computer powered on

In reply to this post by N7US

Jim,

What is the firmware level of your K3/K3S?
If it is 5.33 or later, there is a SAFE/UNSAFE mode for PTT-Key. An
excerpt from the 5.33 Firmware Release Notes is below:

* PTT/KEY USE WITH THE USB PORT IMPROVED: PC applications can activate
PTT and KEY at the K3S via the USB port's RTS/DTR signals. However,
initial setup of the rig's USB port by the PC may cause pulsed or
continuous activation of the transmitter. This can happen if the
computer is turned on after the K3S, or if the USB cable is not
connected. There is now a "Safe" mode (the default) which disables
PTT-KEY transmit until the K3S receives a command via USB, such as a
read of the rig's VFO frequency. To turn on safe mode on/off, go into
CONFIG:PTT-KEY and tap '1' to select "USB SAFE" or "UNSAFE". Exit the
menu and turn the K3S off/on. Applications that use PTT-KEY via USB but
never send commands may require "UNSAFE" mode. In this case, unwanted
transmit can be avoided by turning the PC on before the K3S.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/22/2018 5:07 PM, Jim N7US wrote:

N7US

Re: [K3S] Radio transmits when computer powered on

In reply to this post by Lyle Johnson

Lyle,

That's what I was looking for. I went to the hwnotes.rtf file to see the formatting.

I think it was in USB SAFE mode but will test it. Thanks, Lyle.

73, Jim N7US

-----Original Message-----

In cases like this, please check the firmware release notes for the radio. The info is often not found in the manual, which gets updated infrequently. I added the bolding...

73,

Lyle KK7P

*MCU 5.33 / DSP 2.86 / FPF 1.23, 8-3-2015* ...

** PTT/KEY USE WITH THE USB PORT IMPROVED:* PC applications can activate PTT and KEY at the K3S via the USB port's RTS/DTR signals.
However, initial setup of the rig's USB port by the PC may cause pulsed or continuous activation of the transmitter. This can happen if the computer is turned on after the K3S, or if the USB cable is not connected. There is now a "Safe" mode (the default) which disables PTT-KEY transmit until the K3S receives a command via USB, such as a read of the rig's VFO frequency. *To turn on safe mode on/off, go into CONFIG:PTT-KEY and tap '1' to select "USB SAFE" or "UNSAFE". Exit the menu and turn the K3S off/on. *Applications that use PTT-KEY via USB but never send commands may require "UNSAFE" mode. In this case, unwanted transmit can be avoided by turning the PC on before the K3S.

> I've lost track of the (menu?) setting that prevents the K3 or K3S
> from going into TX when the attached computer is powered on.

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N7US

Re: [K3S] Radio transmits when computer powered on

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm

My K3S is at F/W 5.64 and have the option set to USB-SAFE.

I identified the cause. I recently went back to FSK after trying AFSK and am again using my HB FSK/PTT/CW (not using the CW part) interface on https://www.aa5au.com/rtty/fsk-interface/ . The PTT line is connected to Pin 7, RTS, of a serial port in my computer and runs to the ACC connector on the K3S through a Y-adapter from Elecraft .

I don’t remember this happening during the years I used the interface with my K3, which preceded the K3S.

It's not a big deal. I'll either just watch the radio when I start the computer or will turn the radio off.

Thanks very much for the help.

73, Jim N7US

-----Original Message-----

Jim,

What is the firmware level of your K3/K3S?
If it is 5.33 or later, there is a SAFE/UNSAFE mode for PTT-Key. An excerpt from the 5.33 Firmware Release Notes is below:

* PTT/KEY USE WITH THE USB PORT IMPROVED: PC applications can activate PTT and KEY at the K3S via the USB port's RTS/DTR signals. However, initial setup of the rig's USB port by the PC may cause pulsed or continuous activation of the transmitter. This can happen if the computer is turned on after the K3S, or if the USB cable is not connected. There is now a "Safe" mode (the default) which disables PTT-KEY transmit until the K3S receives a command via USB, such as a read of the rig's VFO frequency. To turn on safe mode on/off, go into CONFIG:PTT-KEY and tap '1' to select "USB SAFE" or "UNSAFE". Exit the menu and turn the K3S off/on. Applications that use PTT-KEY via USB but never send commands may require "UNSAFE" mode. In this case, unwanted transmit can be avoided by turning the PC on before the K3S.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/22/2018 5:07 PM, Jim N7US wrote:
> I've lost track of the (menu?) setting that prevents the K3 or K3S
> from going into TX when the attached computer is powered on. The
> radio goes into TX two or three times when the computer starts.
>
>
>
> 73, Jim N7US

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

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Don Wilhelm

Re: [K3S] Radio transmits when computer powered on

Jim,

No need to turn the K3/K3S off while the computer is booting, just hold
the right hand side of the Mode rocker switch to turn TX TEST on. No RF
will be transmitted although the K3 will still go into transmit and
light the red TX LED.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/22/2018 7:44 PM, Jim N7US wrote:

> My K3S is at F/W 5.64 and have the option set to USB-SAFE.
>
> I identified the cause. I recently went back to FSK after trying AFSK and am again using my HB FSK/PTT/CW (not using the CW part) interface on https://www.aa5au.com/rtty/fsk-interface/ . The PTT line is connected to Pin 7, RTS, of a serial port in my computer and runs to the ACC connector on the K3S through a Y-adapter from Elecraft .
>
> I don’t remember this happening during the years I used the interface with my K3, which preceded the K3S.
>
> It's not a big deal. I'll either just watch the radio when I start the computer or will turn the radio off.
>
> Thanks very much for the help.
>
> 73, Jim N7US
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
> Jim,
>
> What is the firmware level of your K3/K3S?
> If it is 5.33 or later, there is a SAFE/UNSAFE mode for PTT-Key. An excerpt from the 5.33 Firmware Release Notes is below:
>
> * PTT/KEY USE WITH THE USB PORT IMPROVED: PC applications can activate PTT and KEY at the K3S via the USB port's RTS/DTR signals. However, initial setup of the rig's USB port by the PC may cause pulsed or continuous activation of the transmitter. This can happen if the computer is turned on after the K3S, or if the USB cable is not connected. There is now a "Safe" mode (the default) which disables PTT-KEY transmit until the K3S receives a command via USB, such as a read of the rig's VFO frequency. To turn on safe mode on/off, go into CONFIG:PTT-KEY and tap '1' to select "USB SAFE" or "UNSAFE". Exit the menu and turn the K3S off/on. Applications that use PTT-KEY via USB but never send commands may require "UNSAFE" mode. In this case, unwanted transmit can be avoided by turning the PC on before the K3S.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 7/22/2018 5:07 PM, Jim N7US wrote:
>> I've lost track of the (menu?) setting that prevents the K3 or K3S
>> from going into TX when the attached computer is powered on. The
>> radio goes into TX two or three times when the computer starts.
>>
>>
>>
>> 73, Jim N7US
>
>