[Elecraft] SO2R setup

[VR2BrettGraham]

Don replied (and I trust will not mind my keeping it on the list, as
my intention is more than helping him):

>Thanks for your analysis.
>
>One point though worthy of mentioning - the K2 will not produce RF until
>keying takes place, so my solution does the job quite nicely by simply
>inhibiting the keying.
>
>In many applications where the computer does both the keying and the 'PTT',
>everything will sequence fine if the 'PTT' is simply not connected to the K2
>(but connected to everything else - The RF path will be completed before the
>program begins keying).  The only problem that will occur is when the K2 is
>keyed directly by the paddles instead of through the computer control.
>
>Bottom line, many situations do not really need the CW PTT, but
>unfortunately, SO2R operation where the steering is done through PTT is not
>one of those situations.

Effectively ANDing a 'PTT' line with the key line doesn't do much towards
stopping the radio from transmitting when 'PTT' is unasserted if the radio
is doing the keying.  A possible situation for this is where the K2 is used
as a remote base & one wants to have a fail-safe should one want to not
keep transmitting into something that has gotten ugly (failed amp,
antenna, antenna switch, etc).  Even this radiosporting enthusiast can
envision using his K2 with the KY command this way - I may one day
soon only be able to operate with such a remote station & is one reason
I bought a K2.

Such a summary "unhappiness" alarm could also be used to
implement the sort of positive control I think I would have to have
on a remote base if I were to do this back in USA (though the rules may
have changed since I left, it really is a good thing to do any way).

I use a popular antenna matrix switching product that I think could tell
me when it hasn't really switched due to how its way of doing interlock
between its two ports (used for two radios) can become intermittent.  I
would like use this to stop _all_ of my radios from transmitting under
_any_ circumstances when I get around to figuring out a way of putting
an unhappy light in the matrix.

Some folks do not use logging programs that send CW for them.  A
toggle or foot switch can just as easily drive switching of key, mic,
PTT & audio between two rigs in an SO2R contesting station.  Other
folks - at one time, myself included - will have nothing other than a foot
switch determining if their station is in transmit or receive mode.

So like how radios might be used, there is more to CW 'PTT' to
consider.  That's why I didn't go further with the mod you have kindly
put forward - it's better done in code.  Another one high on my list is
filter selection - anyone who has heard what after-market filters can
do to a radio can probably appreciate what it's like to sit on an INRAD
prototype for the K2 & not be able to use it.  ;^(

73, VR2BrettGraham