[Elecraft] Using N1MM to Key a K3 with no outboard keyer

[Richard Ferch]

This keying method is not described in detail in the N1MM+ documentation
because it is not supported by the N1MM+ development team. The reasons for
this can be found in the N1MM+ online manual (at <
http://n1mm.hamdocs.com/tiki-index.php?page=Serial+Parallel+and+Sound+Card+Interfacing&structure=N1MM+Logger+Documentation#Choosing_Your_CW_Method>);
in a nutshell, several of N1MM+'s advanced features do not work with this
keying method.

With the K3/K3S, but not the KX2 or KX3, there is another simpler method
which does not have any of the drawbacks of the CAT command method and
which does not require all of those CAT1ASC macros in your sent messages.
It is described in the N1MM+ manual at <
http://n1mm.hamdocs.com/tiki-index.php?page=Supported+Radios&structure=N1MM+Logger+Documentation#K3_and_K3S>.
Basicallly, you set the K3's CONFIG:PTT-KEY method to OFF-DTR or RTS-DTR
(depending on whether you want PTT as well as CW keying or not), and then
in the N1MM+ Configurer you configure DTR on the radio control port for CW
(and RTS for PTT if you want that as well).

Unfortunately, this method will not work with the KX2 or KX3 because their
serial port interfaces do not have DTR or RTS connections. For this reason,
the CAT1ASC macro method is used with N1MM+ by many KX2/KX3 owners, despite
its shortcomings in this context.

Note: the use of the specialized CATA1ASC macro instead of the basic
CAT1ASC macro is unnecessary. You can find the documentation for the
CAT1ASC family of macros at <
http://n1mm.hamdocs.com/tiki-index.php?page=Macros&structure=N1MM+Logger+Documentation#CATHEX_and_CATASC_Radio_Hex_Macro_Commands
>.

73,
Rich VE3KI


KN1CBR wrote:

The following may test our commitment to the idea that there is no such
thing as a \
stupid question . . . .

I finally got around to setting up my N1MM logger to key my transmitters
without \
having to use a K1EL or any other keyer -- just the KUSB cable directly
from the PC  \
into the rig.

After hours of frustrating failure, by lucky accident I came across a post
on the \
Internet that gave examples for programming the Fn keys, using N1MM to key
a KX3.  \
Each command line contains the string CATA1ASC before the command KY.
Without the \
CATA1ASC, hitting the Fn key does nothing.  With it, and with the standard
KY \
programming command, it works -- on the KX3 at least.  My K3 is at my other
QTH so I \
haven't tried this on that rig yet, but here's my question -- what is the
CATA1ASC \
for?  I did a word search in both the KX3 and the N1MM manuals, and in the
KX3 \
Programmer's Guide, and I could find no mention of the CATA1ASC string.
Had I not \
found the examples on the Internet accidentally I would still be trying to
make this \
work with no success.

So can someone help me understand what it's about and why I didn't see it
in any of \
the manuals?  Is it something in Windows 10?

Thanks,

Ted, KN1CBR