[Elecraft] Subject: KX3 CW from computer

[Edward R. Cole]

Tony,

Essentially you have it right.  It will take a break-out of either 
RTS or DTR interfaced by a NPN transistor and one resistor connected 
to the KEY Jack.  I can see innovated folks making the circuit inside 
the jack with sm transistor and resistor and adding wye jack for 
connecting the paddle.  External keyer not required since you can use 
the menu CW KEY1 and CW KEY2 to switch back to using the paddle from 
HAND.  Instant change over to the paddle then the keyboard is not 
possible, but why would one do that?  I use keyboard CW on eme so 
that I do not have to deal with sending by key (mostly I have scripts 
made up), but I do not operate a lot of CW on HF so maybe there is a 
reason to go back-n-forth rapidly.

For the keyboard CW program I run, you need both RTS (for PTT) and 
DTR (for keying), but that sw does not support QSK.  So for me to 
implement computer CW I will also need a breakout to the mic-PTT 
line.  PTT is needed for the digital sw I run, anyway.  I have an old 
switch box that I am planning to use for I/F of the serial lines to 
the KX3, plus Tx audio.  It already has 3.5mm mini-phone jacks and 
DB9 connectors for an old setup I used way back in time for I/F my FT-847.

There are many after-market computer/radio I/F to accomplish this and 
a few are very small which would be appropriate for portable 
operation with the KX3 and a laptop.


73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
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