[Elecraft] P3/SVGA USB Keyboard

[Jim Sheldon]

Someone posted a link to this keyboard on eBay a while back and before finding out whether or not it worked, I ordered one.  There was another post or two saying it didn't work and that it was maybe an apple keyboard.  Cost on eBay had been $19.95 with free shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/320763719297?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Well, I got it in today, and first hooked it up to one of my HP laptop's USB ports.  Fired up and ran straight off.  The external KB I had on the laptop originally got snatched to plug into the P3.  Since this one worked on the PC laptop, I swapped them again, plugging the little 78 key KB from eBay into the P3.  Turned it on, enabled the data display and immediately got the asterisk on the status line.  Tested CAPS lock and NUM lock and the lights lit up, so I started typing and yup, got characters in the TX buffer window so I did a quick test with a bunch of VVV and my call - KB locked up from RF!  (I had the KPA500 on and set to about 600W).  Cycled power on the P3, re-enabled data and the KB worked again.  I had a bunch of split ferrites designed to kill RFI coming out of monitors so I wrapped 3 turns of the cable through 2 of them - one right at the KB and the other as close to the USB plug as I could get it.  I don't know the ferrite type material, but they are ATI brand and part # is 5000000500.  I had gotten them from a surplus outfit called Electronics Goldmine last year sometime.

Ran the test again with the KPA500 running 600 watts on 20 meters and no lockup so hopefully it will continue to work.  BTW, I had the same problem with the other PC KB and used the same type ferrites on it with equally good results.  

Anyway, to whoever posted the original link, THANKS!

Saw another link to that "rubberized roll-up" keyboard earlier today, and it was cheap enough even with the shipping out of China it was less than 10 bucks so I ordered one of those too.  I hate the internal keyboards on most laptops and it that one works, it will easily fit in my laptop's carry bag.  THANKS to whoever posted this one as well.

Jim - W0EB