KX3 Feature Christmas Wish

[K3WWP]

I think the K2 has a very nice feature that allows hooking up any number and
type of keys - paddles, straight keys, bugs - so that one can switch among
them at any time without going through any menu settings. This is made
possible by a simple circuit using just two diodes shown in the K2 Owner's
manual (Revision G, May 29, 2007) on page 99. This doesn't seem to work on
my KX3, and as far as I know, there is no similar feature in the KX3. As a
100% CW operator who enjoys switching among different keys while on the air
- even during a QSO - I think there should be. As a relatively new (very
pleased) owner of a KX3, I'd like to know if I'm just overlooking something,
and if not, I'd like to see that feature added. I would imagine it could be
something done through a firmware revision. Or as an alternative, is there a
plug available to plug in an external paddle to the jack designed for the
KXPD3 so I could hook my Begali and Bencher paddles there, and a straight
key and bug to the main key jack on the side of the rig. Thanks for any
forthcoming help with this. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all from:

* John K3WWP - 100% CW / QRP - Proudly promoting Morse Code:
*
* On the air with my KX3 #2325, K2 #6418, KX-1 #02101
*
* As NAQCC VP - # 0002 FC # 1 - http://naqcc.info/
*
* As FISTS Keynote QRP Columnist - # 2002 - http://www.fists.org/
*
* With my CW-QRP site - http://home.windstream.net/johnshan/

 




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[Don Wilhelm-4]

John,

There is not an equivalent to the K2 diode hookup in the KX3.  Your
various paddles will work fine if simply wired in parallel.  The problem
is the straight key and the bug.

However, there are 2 paddle inputs to the KX3 - one for the 3.5mm jack
and another for the 4 pin connector intended for the KXPD1. Either can
be set to "hand" in the menu to handle a bug or straight key.

I do not have the Mouser/Digikey part number for the 2x2 header that
will plug into the KX3 in place of the KXPD3, but I do recall someone
who published a part number on this reflector.  A search of the archives
may reveal than number.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/18/2012 7:23 PM, K3WWP wrote:

> I think the K2 has a very nice feature that allows hooking up any number and
> type of keys - paddles, straight keys, bugs - so that one can switch among
> them at any time without going through any menu settings. This is made
> possible by a simple circuit using just two diodes shown in the K2 Owner's
> manual (Revision G, May 29, 2007) on page 99. This doesn't seem to work on
> my KX3, and as far as I know, there is no similar feature in the KX3. As a
> 100% CW operator who enjoys switching among different keys while on the air
> - even during a QSO - I think there should be. As a relatively new (very
> pleased) owner of a KX3, I'd like to know if I'm just overlooking something,
> and if not, I'd like to see that feature added. I would imagine it could be
> something done through a firmware revision. Or as an alternative, is there a
> plug available to plug in an external paddle to the jack designed for the
> KXPD3 so I could hook my Begali and Bencher paddles there, and a straight
> key and bug to the main key jack on the side of the rig. Thanks for any
> forthcoming help with this. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all from:
>

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[K3WWP]

Thanks to those who replied to my posting, especially Don, for the info. I
decided to solve the 'problem' by myself today, and it didn't cost a cent. I
made up my own plug for the KXPD3 socket, and connected my paddles to it,
and straight key and bug to the other key input. I won't waste bandwidth
here describing it, but should anyone be interested, it's described, with
pictures, on my web site diary via the last link in my signature below.

* John K3WWP - 100% CW / QRP - Proudly promoting Morse Code:
*
* On the air with my KX3 #2325, K2 #6418, KX-1 #02101
*
* As NAQCC VP - # 0002 FC # 1 - http://naqcc.info/
*
* As FISTS Keynote QRP Columnist - # 2002 - http://www.fists.org/
*
* With my CW-QRP site - http://home.windstream.net/johnshan/

 









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