XKeys Software Support for K2 / K3

[Mike, KE4U]

PIEngineering ( http://xkeys.com/xkeys.php ) offers a line of computer accessories, some of which are interesting to radio operation. Tom, K8TB got me interested in developing background application software that permits the K2 or K3 owner to assign and access one or more functions for each XKeys button. 

 

Requirements

o   The XKeys devices supported are only USB models with buttons and designated MWII by PIEngineering.

o   Windows XP (tested with SP3)

o   The software is EZSetKeys and will install both .NET Framework 3.5 and SQL Server Express if not already present on your station computer

o   Virtual port software such as Eterlogic VSPE or LP-Bridge if you need to share the K2/K3 serial port with other apps

 

If you have one of these devices or are thinking about getting one and are interested in joining Tom and myself evaluating the new software, contact me off of the reflector (use email address mike at  mclendon dot info)  to obtain pre-release software download information.

 

Just for testing, I have the 58 key Professional model device configured as:

 

o   Band switching on the top cluster

o   Filter, AGC and noise control on the left cluster

o   Contest / DX controls in the Central cluster (DVR, Mode select, CW speed, message memory play etc.)

o   Radio controls (TXMTR LOCK, VFO LOCK, ATU Tune etc.)

 

58 keys is a lot!  Too much for me in my operating but a good device to test software.  Other devices with fewer keys could be more useful. Tested with virtual port software so port sharing works fine. I do not plan to charge any license fees for this application.

 

73 - Mike, KE4U

 

 

 

_______________________________________________
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

[AB3EN]

The USB X-keys Jog & Shuttle Pro with the knob looks to be one of the more interesting offerings. Has about enough keys and a knob to tune the radio. Might work real well with HRD. Got to save the pocket change for a while before I can order one.  

Dan

Mike, KE4U wrote

 Just for testing, I have the 58 key Professional model device configured as:
 
o   Band switching on the top cluster
o   Filter, AGC and noise control on the left cluster
o   Contest / DX controls in the Central cluster (DVR, Mode select, CW
speed, message memory play etc.)
o   Radio controls (TXMTR LOCK, VFO LOCK, ATU Tune etc.)
 
58 keys is a lot!  Too much for me in my operating but a good device to test
software.  Other devices with fewer keys could be more useful. Tested with
virtual port software so port sharing works fine. I do not plan to charge
any license fees for this application.
 
73 - Mike, KE4U
 
 
 

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [e-mail]
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

[Tom-5]

Mike and others:

    It really is impressive to have this box along side the K3. Mike, I finally figured out how to program it, and I can write up a step by step install guide.

But to the others, programming the software that Mike has is really rather easy. Any button can be used for any function. I like 6 meters a lot, so I have about 4 frequencies dialed in, each with their own button. Another button brings me to 14.070, data mode, for PSK use. 

    If I get time, I may post some pictures of the box on my website. But I will guarantee you, 58 keys is a lot, and they can do anything the K3 can receive via the rs-232 port.

       tom K8TB




Mike McLendon wrote:

>58 keys is a lot!  Too much for me in my operating but a good device to test software.  Other devices with fewer keys could be more 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

[M0XDF]

Would someone please post some more info about this, like web site of unit etc?

I think I must have missed any original post.

I found http://www.piengineering.com/xkeys/xkpro.php

which might be the keypad, but nothing about the interface or software.

TIA

73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 

-- 

The universe is like a safe to which there is a combination. But the

combination is locked up in the safe.

-Peter De Vries, editor, novelist (1910-1993)

On 7 Jan 2009, at 03:08, K8TB wrote:

Mike and others:

    It really is impressive to have this box along side the K3. Mike, I finally figured out how to program it, and I can write up a step by step install guide.

But to the others, programming the software that Mike has is really rather easy. Any button can be used for any function. I like 6 meters a lot, so I have about 4 frequencies dialed in, each with their own button. Another button brings me to 14.070, data mode, for PSK use. 

    If I get time, I may post some pictures of the box on my website. But I will guarantee you, 58 keys is a lot, and they can do anything the K3 can receive via the rs-232 port.

       tom K8TB

_______________________________________________
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

[Pete Connors F5VNB]

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

[Mike, KE4U]

David et al:
 
Here is a repost of some info you may find useful.
 
PIEngineering ( http://xkeys.com/xkeys.php ) offers a line of computer
accessories, some of which are interesting to radio operation. Tom, K8TB got
me interested in developing background application software that permits the
K2 or K3 owner to assign and access one or more functions for each XKeys
button.  
 
Requirements
o   The only XKeys devices supported are USB models with buttons and
designated MWII by PIEngineering.
o   Windows XP (tested with SP3)
o   The software is EZSetKeys and will install both .NET Framework 3.5 and
SQL Server Express if not already present on your station computer
o   Virtual port software such as Eterlogic VSPE or LP-Bridge if you need to
share the K2/K3 serial port with other apps
 
If you have one of these devices or are thinking about getting one and are
interested in joining Tom and myself evaluating the new software, contact me
off of the reflector (use email address mike at  mclendon dot info)  to
obtain pre-release software download information.
 
Tested with virtual port software so port sharing works fine. I do not plan
to charge any license fees for this application.
 
73 - Mike, KE4U

________________________________

From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of David Ferrington,
M0XDF
Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 4:08 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] XKeys Software Support for K2 / K3


Would someone please post some more info about this, like web site of unit
etc?
I think I must have missed any original post.
I found http://www.piengineering.com/xkeys/xkpro.php
which might be the keypad, but nothing about the interface or software.
TIA
73 de M0XDF, K3 #174

--
The universe is like a safe to which there is a combination. But the
combination is locked up in the safe.
-Peter De Vries, editor, novelist (1910-1993)

--
I am using the free version of SPAMfighter.
We are a community of 5.8 million users fighting spam.
SPAMfighter has removed 2054 of my spam emails to date.
Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len

The Professional version does not have this message


_______________________________________________
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

[M0XDF]

Thanks for that, but I'm a Mac OSX man myself :-)
73 de M0XDF, K3 #174
-- Experience is that marvellous thing that enables you to recognize a  
mistake when you make it again. -Franklin P. Jones

On 7 Jan 2009, at 21:00, Mike McLendon wrote:

> David et al:
>
> Here is a repost of some info you may find useful.
>
> PIEngineering ( http://xkeys.com/xkeys.php ) offers a line of computer
> accessories, some of which are interesting to radio operation. Tom,  
> K8TB got
> me interested in developing background application software that  
> permits the
> K2 or K3 owner to assign and access one or more functions for each  
> XKeys
> button.
>
> Requirements
> o   The only XKeys devices supported are USB models with buttons and
> designated MWII by PIEngineering.
> o   Windows XP (tested with SP3)
> o   The software is EZSetKeys and will install both .NET Framework  
> 3.5 and
> SQL Server Express if not already present on your station computer
> o   Virtual port software such as Eterlogic VSPE or LP-Bridge if you  
> need to
> share the K2/K3 serial port with other apps
>
> If you have one of these devices or are thinking about getting one  
> and are
> interested in joining Tom and myself evaluating the new software,  
> contact me
> off of the reflector (use email address mike at  mclendon dot info)  
> to
> obtain pre-release software download information.
>
> Tested with virtual port software so port sharing works fine. I do  
> not plan
> to charge any license fees for this application.

_______________________________________________
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