[Elecraft] K3 choppy CW

[Richard Ferch]

Erik,

Yes, you can use paddles with the WinKeyer, and IMHO the big advantage of a
WinKeyer for this is that the paddles are integrated with computer CW. That
is, if the computer is sending CW, a touch of the paddle instantly stops
outgoing computer-generated CW so you can carry on with the paddle. If you
find you hit the wrong function key and it starts sending CQ whan you wanted
to send TU, for example, you can just grab the paddle and send TU and that
will abort the unwanted message. You can also use a paddle plugged directly
into the back of the K3, but that is not integrated in the sense that CW
input from the paddle and from the computer are wire-Ored inside the radio,
i.e. if you key the paddle while the computer is sending, all you get is a
mess. You have to hit ESC first to stop the computer-generated CW before
carrying on with the paddle.

One of the things you are looking for, if I understand correctly, is to be
able to enter information into N1MM Logger using the paddle. This is *not*
possible. There is no CW decoder in the Logger. Even if there were, paddle
input into the WinKeyer is not passed back to the computer, it only goes
forward to the radio. As a result, the paddle is not usable for entering
logged data.

For that matter, when you send free-form CW from the keyboard by typing into
the Ctrl+K window, that information is not entered into the log either. If
you want information to be logged, you have to type it into the appropriate
box in the Entry window, and then the function key message macros can
incorporate that information when they are sent.

One other convenience feature of the WKUSB is that it can be used as a
stand-alone keyer without computer control. You can power it either from a
battery or from a USB port without any transfer of data from the computer.
So you can use it without firing up the logging program, e.g. if you are
randomly tuning the band and hear someone you want to work. In this mode,
without software controlling it, the WKUSB has four programmable memory
buttons. Warning: these four memory buttons cannot be used when the WKUSB is
under computer control - you have to use messages programmed into the
software instead. This limitation is programmed into the WinKeyer.

You can also use the memory buttons on the K3, but one peculiarity is that
these have lower priority than computer or paddle input, so you cannot use
the memory buttons to interrupt computer CW. You have to hit ESC first (or
touch the WinKeyer's paddle) before using the K3's memories. This makes them
less useful than having the same messages programmed into function keys in
N1MM Logger. 

HTH.

73,
Rich VE3KI