[WriteLog] Interfacing WL to Elecraft K3

[john at kk9a.com]

Can an Elecraft K3 send computer generated CW without an external device
such as a MicroHam USB CW keyer?

John KK9A


To:	<writelog at contesting.com>
Subject:	[WriteLog] Interfacing WL to Elecraft K3
From:	"Bruce Sawyer" <aquariusds at sbcglobal.net>
Date:	Wed, 3 Dec 2014 14:45:39 -0800
List-post:

I have a new Elecraft K3 and I am new to WriteLog, so I'm certain the
problems I'm having interfacing the two involve doing something very dumb.
Nevertheless, I've gone around and around and cannot get WL to send CW to
the K3.



When I first got WL a few weeks ago, I set it up and after playing around
some got it to work.  So I know it can be done!  But I've messed up
something in the interim and now I cannot get WL to key the rig.



In the past, I always used a big desktop computer, built up my own cable to
key the rig from a parallel port, and never had any problems.  Now I'm
trying to use a laptop with only a USB port, so this is another area of new
ground for me.



For starters, I am using the Elecraft KIO3 module along with the USB cable
that came with it.  I have set the rig to 38400 Baud (CONFIG:  RS232 38400
b) and set CONFIG:  PTT-KEY to OFF-OFF.  In WL, using the Setup | Ports
menu, I set COM5 for CW, Rig Type K3, Baud Rate 38400, Poll selected, and NO
for Comm PTT.  The "CW keyer type" I set to "PC generates".  With this, the
radio and WL communicate just fine.  I get an accurate frequency readout in
WL, can change the frequency on the rig, etc.  I just can't send any CW.  As
I mentioned earlier, I think this worked for me a few weeks ago.  But I
can't get it to work now.  I know the cable is functioning correctly because
I can start up the K3 Utility and use it to send CW to the rig without any
problem.



So what am I doing wrong?  I had a friend tell me I really should get K1EL's
WinKeyer3 and then have the K3 send ascii strings to it rather than generate
the CW.  I understand his reasoning, but I'm not doing SO2R, don't have a
packet interface, etc.  Thus I really think I should be able to have WL
generate the CW.



Bruce, N6NT