[Dx4win] Computer CW Keying Problem - Similar problem - no solution

[Wayne N5WD]

On Sat, 16 Sep 2006 10:56:50 -0400, KF9YL wrote:
> Today when I tried sending cw, I heard
> the cw clearly through my computer's speakers, but it sent one
> solid, continuous cw tone to the radio (Kenwood TS-850).  The tone
> would continue until I restarted the computer.  When I then
> restarted the computer and DX4WIN and began trying to send cw, the
> same thing happend. CW ok on the computer's speakers, solid
> unstoppable cw tone to the rig.  I tried another cable and had the
> same results.
>
> I also tried sending cw use my straight key and the rig worked
> perfectly.


I came into my shack one evening to find that my TS2000 was being continuously keyed on 40m.  Luckily, I had been using PSK31 before and had the power dailed back to about 40 watts instead of full power or the rig might have been melted down, though I really don't know how long the transmitter had been keyed.  After checking to make sure the bug wasn't being pressed (yeah, I know, if the bug was depressed it should have been sending dashes or dots instead of a solid tone)., and powering down the radio a couple of times, I thought to pull the manual key plug (which is connected to the LPT port on my computer to send CW) and the keying stopped.  

Like you, I tried closing down DX4Win (which was the only app running except for Tardis, which sets the clock's time). No joy. Rebooted several times, and it finally stopped.

I never could determine exactly what inside the computer was bringing the LPT line down to key the rig - it happened about a month ago, and has not happened again.

I pulled the CW key plug line from the rig - and only plugged it in when I would test or use it.  After a while, my confidence has grown to the point where I'm leaving it in, now, but still keep the radio power dialed down (mostly, since I'm using PSK31 a lot, that's not a problem for me). 

As Grace Hopper once explained... it must be the bugs.
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   R. Wayne Day    N5WD    n5wd at charter.net
   Fort Worth, Texas  USA
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