[Elecraft] K3/ Microkeyer/N1MM lockup at FD

[Buck - k4ia]

Joe

You're right - the correct name is the MicroHam CW Keyer.  Router 
version 7.7.1  Was using the latest N1MM 11.5.1

I was not using a PTT cable - I had "PTT via Radio Command" checked in 
the N1MM serial port setup.  I did not have "Energize Hardware and 
Software PTT" because I wasn't using Hardware PTT.  Should I check it 
anyway?

I don't think this is a MH issue.  Sounds more like you suggested, N1MM 
is not releasing the PTT properly when a key is struck - or the K3 is 
being confused by the software command.  It may be a data-clash timing 
issue depending on exactly when in the sequence of commands flying back 
and forth I hit a key.  I say this because the lockup doesn't happen 
every time I interrupt the auto CQ sequence.  In the heat of battle I 
can't say for sure, but it seems like it happened if I hit a key right 
about the same time the auto CQ was just getting started.

If it is a data clash, one solution could be to hook up the PTT line and 
use hardware PTT.  What do you think?

Buck
k4ia


On 6/27/2011 6:56 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
>
> > The setup was a K3, N1MM and a MicroHam MicroKeyer (the CW only
> > model).
>
> Do you mean the microHAM CW Keyer or some other interface?
>
>> Several times, the keying stopped but the radio remained frozen in
>> transmit mode. The PTT light was ON on the MicroKeyer, the transmit
>> light was ON on the K3 and N1MM wouldn't respond.
>
> I assume you had a PTT cable connected from the CW Keyer to the K3
> PTT jack.
>
> 1) What version of N1MM Logger were you using?
>
> 2) What PTT settings did you have in N1MM Logger?
>
> 3) Did you have PTT assigned to an RTS line on the Radio port?
>
>    If so, did you have "Energize Hardware & Software PTT" checked
>    in the N1MM serial port configuration?
>
>    If you had "Energize Hardware & Software PTT" checked did you
>    have "PTT via Radio Command CW Mode" checked?
>
> microHAM Router intercepts the WinKey "PTT On" and  "PTT Off" commands
> and translates them to serial (RTS) PTT internally.  I have not tried
> to look at the WinKey data stream recently but perhaps N1MM Logger is
> not sending the WinKey "PTT Off" command when you strike any key
> except <esc>.
>
> 73,
>
>    ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
> On 6/27/2011 5:59 PM, Buck - k4ia wrote:
>> The mighty K4TS, Rappahannock Valley Amateur Radio Club, 8A Field Day
>> featured 1 K3 - mine on 40 CW.  40 CW made 925 contacts but only 854
>> after eliminating the dupes.  The K3 really strutted its stuff and it
>> was obvious what a superior rig it is when I went around and listened to
>> what other radios were hearing - a mush of noise and IMD that made
>> operating almost impossible Saturday night.  Several ops just gave up as
>> the noise and close signals crushed their rigs.  They marveled out how
>> clear the K3 sounded.  No news there.
>>
>> I did have one glitch that happened several times.  I proffer it to all
>> three groups for comment.
>> The setup was a K3, N1MM and a MicroHam MicroKeyer (the CW only model).
>>
>> The keyer would start to auto-send CQ just as I heard a call.  When I
>> hit a key on the computer keyboard (including the ESC key), the keying
>> should stop and the radio go into receive mode.  Several times, the
>> keying stopped but the radio remained frozen in transmit mode.  The PTT
>> light was ON on the MicroKeyer, the transmit light was ON on the K3 and
>> N1MM wouldn't respond.  Paddles plugged into the MicroKeyer did
>> nothing.  The "fix" was to turn off the K3 and turn it back on again.
>> That would release the PTT and all would go back to normal.  It didn't
>> happen every time but it did happen a lot.
>>
>> Anyone with any ideas, chime in.
>>