[Elecraft] MSG control on KX2 & KX3

Sun Jun 1 16:16:24 EDT 2025

Dave, that's a great suggestion. I figured there would be a way using Elecraft's programming tools. Sounds like it would be a fun project. I wonder if anyone has already done this and provides a turnkey solution?

73,

Bill, OP
KN6UDK

> On Jun 1, 2025, at 12:08 PM, Dave Fugleberg <dave.w0zf at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> I looked at this some time ago for my KX2, but have not followed through on building anything.  It should be pretty straightforward to send serial commands to the KX2 via the ACC jack.  The Programmer's Reference Manual indicates that button presses can be conveyed with the SWTnn; and SWHnn; commands (tap and hold, respectively).  The nn value for the MSG button is 11, and the nn for keypad 1 is 19.  
> I was thinking of something like an Arduino Nano with a sketch that would spit out the appropriate commands (like SWT11;SWT19) via serial port when a button was pushed.  I just never got around to putting such a thing together, because my portable activations tend to be short and keyed by hand.  But for a contest, a one-button solution for each memory (with bigger buttons !) would certainly be preferable to mashing two tiny buttons each time...
> 
> 73 de W0ZF
> 
> On Sun, Jun 1, 2025 at 12:59 PM William Santos via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net <mailto:elecraft at mailman.qth.net>> wrote:
>> I don't see the "fast play" feature referred to in the manual. Is there some other documentation that explains the "fast play" feature of the KX3?
>> 
>> It's not clear to me how one would choose which message one wanted with this feature.
>> 
>> As with the "repeat" feature, you still are required to push two buttons: One (MSG), then two (number button representing message in question).
>> 
>> So I don't think this fits my use case.
>> 
>> Any other ideas?
>> 
>> Bill, OP
>> KN6UDK 
>> 
>> > The KX3 has this capability. It’s called Fast Play. To activate, hold the MSG button for approximately 3 seconds. To turn it off, hold the MSG button again for about 3 seconds, or simply power cycle the KX3.
>> > The KX2 lacks this important feature. 
>> > 
>> > 72,
>> > Myron
>> > 
>> 
>> > On Jun 1, 2025, at 10:24 AM, Myron Schaffer <myronschaffer at gmail.com <mailto:myronschaffer at gmail.com>> wrote:
>> > 
>> > The KX3 has this capability. It’s called Fast Play. To activate, hold the MSG button for approximately 3 seconds. To turn it off, hold the MSG button again for about 3 seconds, or simply power cycle the KX3.
>> > The KX2 lacks this important feature. 
>> > 
>> > 72,
>> > Myron
>> > 
>> >> On Jun 1, 2025, at 11:13 AM, William Santos via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net <mailto:elecraft at mailman.qth.net>> wrote:
>> >> 
>> >> Wow, 1000 contacts. Impressive.
>> >> 
>> >> I run both CW and SSB, but with SSB especially, my voice tends to get hoarse after a few hundred CQs.
>> >> 
>> >> I'll continue to use the MSG function when running, but I'd still like to have a single button solution for triggering the recordings.
>> >> 
>> >> Anyone have any suggestions?
>> >> 
>> >> Bill, OP
>> >> KN6UDK
>> >> 
>> >>> On Jun 1, 2025, at 9:58 AM, K9ZTV via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net <mailto:elecraft at mailman.qth.net>> wrote:
>> >>> 
>> >>> Ease of use has its place, but the more one actually uses a key rather than merely pushing a button the better one's sending becomes (and there are many poor senders out there).
>> >>> 
>> >>> During the Missouri Bicentennial Special Event a few years ago I handed out 1000 Qs by hand-paddling every contact and exchange while using N1MM exclusively for logging.
>> >>> 
>> >>> I wouldn't think a couple dozen field contacts would be much of a stress.
>> >>> 
>> >>> Personal satisfaction if nothing else.
>> >>> 
>> >>> 73/72,
>> >>> Kent
>> >>> K9ZTV
>> >>> Jefferson City, MO
>> >>> 
>> >>> 
>> >>> 
>> >>>> On Jun 1, 2025, at 11:32 AM, William Santos via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net <mailto:elecraft at mailman.qth.net>> wrote:
>> >>>> 
>> >>>> I frequently use the MSG function on my KX2 and KX3 while in the field.
>> >>>> 
>> >>>> I'd like to have a one button option to trigger a MSG. (Currently the sequence is a two button sequence, eg. single tap MSG followed by single tap 1).
>> >>>> 
>> >>>> Possible solutions might be reprogramming another button on the KX to send a MSG with only a single tap, or perhaps an external device, such as the K-POD or the Yaesu FH-2.
>> >>>> 
>> >>>> Is it possible to reprogram a button on the KX-2 and KX-3 to do this, or does anyone know of an external box that can be used to trigger MSGs on the radios?
>> >>>> 
>> >>>> Thank You,
>> >>>> 
>> >>>> Bill
>> >>>> KN6UDK
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