Using a K42 Keyer with a K3/K3S

[Elecraft mailing list]

Yes, I had a K42 kit laying about and i thought I might finally finish it and see how it worked with my K3 (with most of the S upgrades)
I was easily able to fix up the cables for reading code but I have had a heck of a time matching up settings and keying cable connections
so I can play around with the external keyer functionality of this little “swiss army knife keyer box”
I have Fred Cady’s third edition(Bless him) and he tries to give info in para 4 of page 60 but it is somewhat confusing. There is lots of info
following, all the way to pp 84 but it is all oriented to getting a computer married to the K3 for digital modes.
The key out mini plug from the K42 uses the three lines as tip: key middle: PTT and the body ground. They say that "the PTT output is
used primarily in HSCW mode or to key an amplifier or antenna relay” and the K3 manual indicates that anything like a WinKey
interface requires that PTT_KEY should be OFF - OFF. So, it would seem that I could ignore the center conductor entirely.
But…my K3 sits quietly and challenges me to to key it externally disregarding all my options.

Any suggestions appreciated. Alan/K6ADG
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[Joe Subich, W4TV-4]

> The key out mini plug from the K42 uses the three lines as tip: key
> middle: PTT and the body ground.
Connect tip and sleeve to the "(straight) Key In" jack of your K3.
If you elect to use it connect the ring and sleeve from the K1EL
keyer to the PTT In (RCA) jack of your K3.

If you do not use PTT from the K1EL keyer, you must turn on VOX in
CW (semi break-in) or use QSK (full break-in).

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV


On 2020-08-05 4:12 PM, Alan Geller via Elecraft wrote:

> Yes, I had a K42 kit laying about and i thought I might finally finish it and see how it worked with my K3 (with most of the S upgrades)
> I was easily able to fix up the cables for reading code but I have had a heck of a time matching up settings and keying cable connections
> so I can play around with the external keyer functionality of this little “swiss army knife keyer box”
> I have Fred Cady’s third edition(Bless him) and he tries to give info in para 4 of page 60 but it is somewhat confusing. There is lots of info
> following, all the way to pp 84 but it is all oriented to getting a computer married to the K3 for digital modes.
> The key out mini plug from the K42 uses the three lines as tip: key middle: PTT and the body ground. They say that "the PTT output is
> used primarily in HSCW mode or to key an amplifier or antenna relay” and the K3 manual indicates that anything like a WinKey
> interface requires that PTT_KEY should be OFF - OFF. So, it would seem that I could ignore the center conductor entirely.
> But…my K3 sits quietly and challenges me to to key it externally disregarding all my options.
>
> Any suggestions appreciated. Alan/K6ADG

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