[WriteLog] Re: CW keying with WL

[Bryan Swadener]

writelog at contesting.com
Hi Doug,

I suppose you could interface between the sound card and your rig's microphone input for transmitting but I've never heard of anyone doing that.  You could get it to work but your rig would think you're using voice, and would likely not allow you to switch-in any narrow IF filtering that would be suitable for crowded CW bands.

You can build/use a simple transistor interface circuit between your serial port and rig, or interface directly from a parallel port (assuming your rig uses 5 volt logic on the keying input).  However, it is not at all good idea.  This is because there will be no ground isolation between the two.  The best plan then, is to use some form of isolation (such as an optoisolator IC).  The 4N33 works well for me (I use the serial port). The current-limiting resistor for the input would be based on the voltage (typically either 5 volts or 12volts depending on whether you're using a parallel port or a serial port), and the input current of the optoisolator. For a current of 10mA, this would be about 500 ohms for 5V drive, or 1.2 Kohm for 12V drive.

Vy 73 es gud DX,
Bryan, WA7PRC

Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2003 16:39:50 -0400 (EDT)
From: Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604 [faunt at panix.com]
Subject: Re: [WriteLog] CW keying with WL

Thanks for all the replies.  It's probably almost as easy to put something into the existing interface box, but if I use LPT keying on my existing W98 system with an unused LPT port, then I just need a DB25P, a couple of other parts, and NO changes to the existing stuff.

I'lll be using this with a IC756PRO, so I can make the filter arbitrarily tight, which should help some, also.

This is just something to try for a bit during the upcoming CW Sweepstakes, sort of like N1RCT's hack of using his KAM for CW reception.

One response seemed to indicate that CWget would integrate nicely with WriteLog, and might copy better.  If I go further with this, I might try that.

73, doug

Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2003 15:53:29 -0400
From: George Johnson [w1zt at comcast.net]
Subject: Re: [WriteLog] CW keying with WL

Doug,

You can add transistor keying to either the parallel port or a serial Com port.  The parallel port will not directly drive an optoisolator but the serial port will.  I would recommend the transistor and use whichever type of port you have available.  The parallel port is a little easier IMHO.

73, George .. W1ZT

Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2003 14:10:35 -0400 (EDT)
From: Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604 [faunt at panix.com]
Subject: [WriteLog] CW keying with WL

Hi all,

I'm not a CW op, but want to try using WL for CW RX and TX. The RX is easy with my current set up, but I'm not sure what's the easiest way to add CW TX.  Apparently, there's no provision for sending CW from the sound card.  It looks as if adding an optoisolator or transistor to LPT pin 16 is the next easiest way to do this. Or is there something I'm missing?

73, doug


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