[Elecraft] N1MM config questions

Joe Subich, W4TV lists at subich.com
Fri Mar 5 20:29:34 EST 2010 


> Check and see if the logging software will send  a command to 
> the radio to go into transmit mode.  Then you don't have to  
> worry about RTS, DTR, transistor switches, special wiring or 
> any of that  stuff. 

That's a very bad idea.  With command based PTT, any RFI on the 
serial line that causes the "TX OFF" command to be missed will 
leave the transceiver and amplifier hung in transmit.  Also, if 
you have a computer crash during transmit, you're stuck until 
you can reboot (or you turn the radio off - if you can while it 
is in transmit).  

Finally, although the K3 supports command based TX/RX switching, 
it is not available in all transceivers.  Among the most well 
known to lack command based switching is the Icom IC-706 line. 

73, 

   ... Joe, W4TV 
 


> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of K4IA at aol.com
> Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 5:39 PM
> To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] N1MM config questions
> 
> 
> Check and see if the logging software will send  a command to 
> the radio to 
> go into transmit mode.  Then you don't have to  worry about RTS, DTR, 
> transistor switches, special wiring or any of that  stuff.  
> 
> Buck
> k4ia
> 
> In a message dated 3/5/2010 3:29:00  P.M. Eastern Standard Time, 
> dieven at comcast.net writes:
> Hi, Steve!
> 
> N1MM  can activate the PTT and CW keying lines, but you'll 
> need to fashion  
> or
> acquire a single-transistor switch (see  
> http://aa5au.com/rttyinterface.html
> for examples) for the DTR and/or RTS  lines.  I'd create two 
> switches, one for PTT and another for the CW  line.  W3YY 
> also makes a cute little board for this,  
> http://www.w3yy.com/fsk.htm. The N1MM site also describes this  
> at
> http://pages.cthome.net/n1mm/html/English/Interfacing.htm.
> 
> If  you're using a USB to Serial adapter for your RS-232 
> keying interface, there  may be some "gotchas" depending on 
> your USB to Serial Adapter. I'm  
> not
> up-to-date on this, but plan to spend a little time with your 
>  breadboard version before committing to use this as your 
> only  technique.
> 
> Some users have reported CW "stuttering" with some computer 
> OS  versions,
> which is why a WinKey device is so popular with contesters.   
> Sometimes the
> CW stuttering doesn't occur until late into the contest, when 
>  there's a lot of CPU or disk activity when you log a new 
> QSO. Minimizing the  disk I/O of other programs is essential 
> if you're trying to send quality CW  from a
> computer with a time-sharing OS (e.g., all versions of 
> Windows).   Others
> have had no trouble at all.  
> 
> Your wife insisted that you  acquire a K3?  What a gem she must be!
> 
> 73 de Dick,  K6KR
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From:  elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On  Behalf Of Steve Robinson
> Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 12:00 PM
> To:  Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Elecraft] N1MM config questions
> 
> My  lovely bride of almost 32 years has recently insisted 
> that I buy a K3 
> for
> my  belated birthday present, so I did (what a woman). I am 
> starting with  
> the
> basic kit that includes the 100 watt amp and 2.8Khz and 400Hz 
> Inrad 8  pole filters. That is it. Building the kit was a lot 
> of fun and #3979 is  happily on the air.
> 
> So far I have serial communications with N1MM  Logger so I 
> can change frequencies from the TNC or bandmap window. I am  
> looking for sage advice with respect to keying and audio. I 
> do have a  RIGblaster plus here but can 
> I
> key the rig from the serial cable? So far I  have N1MM set 
> for the proper serial port talking to the K3 at  
> 38400-N-8-1-1-DTR and RTS Always On. If I can key it with 
> this cable, I could  toss the RIGblaster aside and try some 
> of the recent audio hints I have read  here in the last day 
> or so, but 
> please
> advise on this too if you  can.
> 
> I know I am still pretty unfamiliar with the rig but I hope 
> to get  on any way this weekend when I can. It¹s nice to be 
> part of this new family.  
> Thanks
> for reading this and thanks in advance!
> -- 
> Steve  WU9B 
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