[Elecraft] CW keying circuit

[Paul]

Carter,
What do you think of this - one transistor couple of diodes and 
resistors which all fit in the computer serial port plug. So I plug 
the serial port plug into the computer Com port and the other end is 
a straight key (non-stereo) phone plug. Actually that's not 
technically true. The Argo V requires a stereo plug  but you just use 
the shaft and tip, leaving the ring connection empty. You can wire 
the rig end as required.

Here is the Link: http://www.qsl.net/wm2u/cw.html
Scroll about half way down and you'll see the circuit. I've seen some 
that use even less parts - one transistor, a diode and resistor. But 
this one works for me. I used the larger side serial plug housing 
(for 9 pin) available at Radio shack and everything fit inside. 
There is a Ham who also makes these switch "commercially" in that he 
charges about $30.00 each. His are finished a little nicer and have a 
phone jack at the plug. So you plug a wire into it and into your rig. 
If you are interested I can look up his link. But you can do this 
yourself in about 15 minutes and a few dollars in parts.

Good luck and 73,
Paul
PS: The companion program, CWGET, which translates audio cw into text 
- and is not free - is also pretty good. I haven't surveyed them all 
but it was the best of 3 or 4 I've seen.

Note that as a bonus, the CWType program is free.