[Elecraft] Feature Request: improved internal keyer and CW PTT behavior

[donovanf at starpower.net]

Hi Tom, 



The problems I described are unique to the K3's CW PTT mode, 
you wouldn't be aware of them if you use QSK. 


My CW keying is both from Win-Test via the USB port (it works 
perfectly) and into the K3 key and PTT connectors from the K1EL 
Winkeyer (the Winkeyer works perfectly for manual keying from a 
paddle except for the unwanted long VOX delay that the K3 applies 
to the external PTT input). 


When are you coming back to a W3LPL multi-multi DX contest to 
show us how to work hundreds of 80 meter JAs again? :) I'll 
never forget that weekend on 80 meters, its never happened to 
nearly that degree again, and certainly not on both mornings! We're 
still using the same 2 element quad at 170 feet,, but we now have 
a much better receiving antenna, a W8JI/W5ZN 8-circle receiving 
array. 


73 
Frank 
W3LPL 




----- Original Message -----

From: "Chester Alderman" <aldermant at windstream.net> 
To: donovanf at starpower.net, "Elecraft Reflector" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> 
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2017 3:53:30 PM 
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Feature Request: improved internal keyer and CW PTT behavior 

First, I admit to not understanding the problem! I do run QSK and VOX during 
contest and during regular QRQ QSO's. With my K3/Alpha 9500 setup, I can run 
full QSK CW up to 100 wpm and I have no PTT delay issues? I do not run with 
PTT asserted and therefore I do not witness the issues other contesters 
have.. As for N1MM's "poorly designed internal K3 keyer logic", I certainly 
have to disagree with that comment. During 'normal' contest I operate from 
28 to 40 wpm, full QSK and would go nuts if there were any perturbations 
with my K3's keying. 

A so called 'solution' to CW stuttering is to purchase and use the K1EL 
keyer. The real problem is with Windows op system wherein the CPU is often 
interrupted to do 'internal chores'; and when this happens, all I/O ports 
are shut down, which causes the CW stutter. Simply turning off the Windows 
generated sound, eliminates the stutter issue and the 'requirement' to 
purchase the K1EL keyer. 

73, 
Tom - W4BQF 



-----Original Message----- 
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of 
donovanf at starpower.net 
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2017 12:53 AM 
To: Elecraft Reflector 
Subject: [Elecraft] Feature Request: improved internal keyer and CW PTT 
behavior 

Okay, lets take Eric's lead and open an interesting thread directly related 
to an excellent Elecraft product. 



For years many of us have suffered with the odd behavior of the K3 
in CW PTT mode. There are at least two inexplicble aspects of K3 
CW PTT behavior that have forced many of us to use external 
Winkeyers rather than the poorly designed internal K3 keyer logic 
when the K3 is in CW PTT mode. 


For CW contesters, its necessary to operate the K3 in PTT mode 
to avoid unwanted VOX delay. But for some strange reason the 
K3 always applies VOX delay after external PTT is unasserted. 
I can think of no logical reason why VOX delay should be applied 
at the end of the external PTT input when the K3 is PTT mode or 
any other mode. When PTT is unasserted, the K3 should always 
immediately return to receive mode, no exceptions. 


When using the internal K3 keyer when in PTT mode, for some 
inexplicable reason the K3 behaves like its in QSK mode. The 
only way to avoid this is to use VOX rather than PTT mode or 
to use a foot switch when in PTT mode. Both alternatives 
are unacceptable. 


The band aid solution many contesters use with excellent results 
is to avoid using the internal K3 keyer and to use an external 
K1EL Winkeyer that generates both a key output and a PTT 
signal generated according to well designed Winkeyer CW PTT 
logic. 


Why can't the K3 implement logic similar to the Winkeyer to 
generate the equivalent of "Winkeyer PTT" when using the K3 
internal keyer when the K3 is in PTT mode? 


73 
Frank 
W3LPL 
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