FW: [Elecraft] K2 CW external interface

Thu Jun 26 06:54:00 2003

Slow down!

You are mixing issues here. The Diodes to make dit and dah lines close
simultaneously is to connect a straight key to the K2 and have it key
correctly. Does that work (IE, do you get proper keying using a straight key
[or two crossed wires])?

You also mention DTR and RTS. Those are EIA signals. I've never heard of
trying to run a radio directly off of them, but it could work. I'd need to
do more research. However, these signals are very appropriate for switching
a cheap transistor on and off, and that could key the K2.

So I'd suggest you first verify your diode "wired-or" is working with no
external equipment, and then find a proper interface for your keyboard and
get that to work.

Again, let me say I don't KNOW you can't use the EIA signals, it's just they
are defined as +12 and -12 and I'd expect the K2 to want +5 and 0.

Dan / WG4S / K2 #2456

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of James C. Hall, MD
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2003 10:43 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Elecraft] K2 CW external interface

Hello:

I'm having trouble getting a keyboard interface to work with my K2. On page
92 of the K2 manual, there is a diagram describing "External keying
Auto-detect". I constructed this cable with the diodes at DTR. DTR voltage
after bootup of my ol' Tecra 166 MHz laptop (Win98SE) was approx. -5 volts.
Upon plugging the cable in the K2, I immediately get alternating dash-dot
iambic keying. I thought I had the diodes reversed or shorting to ground,
but this was not the case. Of course regular paddles work fine. I tried the
cable with the diodes at RTS with the same result.

Any help would be appreciated - would like to have this ready for Field Day.

73, Jamie
WB4YDL

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list: [email protected]
You must be a list member to post to the list.
Postings must be plain text (no HTML or attachments).
See: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Elecraft Web Page: http://www.elecraft.com