[Elecraft] K3: Configuring N1MM to send CW

[WILLIS COOKE]

This is a very well known problem.  It has been documented by N1MM and many contest publications.  It is not a problem with N1MM, it is a problem with WINDOWS.  If you change to another version of N1MM or a different logging program, you will have the same trouble.  The usual solution is to purchase and use a WinKeyer.  Virtually all CW contesters 
have done this.  The other alternative is to revert to DOS and an old unsupported DOS logger.  I am not sure if buying a MAC will help.

The problem is the way that WINDOWS handles interrupts.  It does not give a high enough priority to the serial bus to allow proper keying at anything but very slow speeds.

Willis 'Cookie' Cooke 
K5EWJ


--- On Wed, 2/18/09, Bill Feidt <bill at ng3k.com> wrote:

> From: Bill Feidt <bill at ng3k.com>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Configuring N1MM to send CW
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2009, 5:45 AM
> Barry Pfeil wrote:
> 
> > VE3KI's explanation is absolutely correct, but I
> would add a 
> > CAUTION that once you have this arrangement set up, be
> careful to boot 
> > your computer and N1MM BEFORE turning on your K3 or at
> least before 
> > enabling transmit.  This is because some of the
> start-up "processes" 
> > seem to key the radio when you wouldn't want it to
> be keyed.  I'm using 
> > a USB-to-Serial converter and that may makes things
> worse (or better?).
> 
> Thanks to all who responded to my question.  The good news
> is that with VE3KI's 
> assistance I was able to get N1MM CW working using the
> Elecraft USB to Serial 
> cable as the only connection between my computer and the
> rig.  The quality of 
> the generated CW was fine; no stuttering or halts.  The bad
> news is that, for me 
> at least, N1MM is very unstable when CW keying is activated
> in the software. 
> Periodically, and under circumstances I don't
> understand, the "CW IF" 
> application starts consuming more and more CPU cycles until
> it hogs almost 100% 
> of available cycles and the computer hangs.  And sometimes
> when I click one of 
> the N1MM "send CW" buttons, nothing happens. 
> This is always a harbinger of a 
> near-future computer crash.
> 
> Also, I have to activate N1MM before turning on the K3.  If
> I do the opposite, 
> the K3 momentarily sends a CW signal and N1MM crashes.
> 
> Rich (VE3KI) suggested that I might try reverting to
> version 8.12.7 of N1MM. 
> I'll do this and, if the results are favorable,
> I'll report back.
> 
> Following suggestions made here, I've also subscribed
> to the N1MM reflector and 
> will report the current problem over there (where it
> probably belongs).
> 
> Again, thanks for everyone's input.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Bill/NG3K
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