[PVRCNC] Contesting interfaces

[Jim Jordan, K4QPL]

Hi Kent,

Congratulations. No one's laughing.

If you're talking cw, There's no need at all for all that expensive Microham 
stuff if you have an older computer with serial and parallel ports and 
particularly if you're not wanting SO2R right now. Not sure what the output 
is on the PIEXX but if it's got RS-232 output it can go directly to the 
serial port of your computer. If not, you may need a Kenwood adapter which 
can either be the W1GEE interface or the Kenwood one. I may even have one 
somewhere. And even that can go through most of the cheap USB-Serial 
interfaces like Belkin and still work OK.

For cw keying, which I assume is the other half you're looking for, if 
you've got a parallel port a half hour with a soldering iron, a 2N2222 
transistor and an approximately 2k resistor, you can wire an interface on to 
the DB-23 LPT connector and you're in business for less than $2. I think 
there's one in the MM manual, but definitely in the TR manual. Or I'll send 
you one when I'm home. And if you want to add an outboard keyer and paddle, 
just put the output in parallel with the output from the LPT and you're in 
business.  Keith, W4KAZ and I have built them in Altoids tins and the like 
with extra relays and bells and whistles for under $30.

Email if you want to talk on the phone and we'll make a plan when I'm in the 
shack.

73,

Jim

Jim
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kent Winrich" <kwinrich at gmail.com>
To: "PVRCNC" <pvrcnc at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2009 4:32 PM
Subject: [PVRCNC] Contesting interfaces


> OK OK, dont laugh.....
>
> I am getting my station up and running this year after so many false
> starts.  As you may know, I won the 30' tower/rotor/A3 beam and will be
> picking it up the 2nd weekend in September.  I am also working on a low
> height 80/75 wire beam and have a DX-88 already to go.
>
> I am running a TS-940 with a PIEXX board and N1MM.  But I do NOT have an
> interface such as a Microham.
>
> I am quite limited on budget, but am looking for suggestions as to
> interfaces.  I have not been able to work out any deals for a Microham so 
> I
> may need to look for another avenue.  Any suggestions?
>
> I want this all set and ready to go for SS.
>
> I am all ears.
>
> Kent
> Operatorus Screwupicus
> K9EZ/4
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