HamGadgets MasterKeyer MK-1 User Manual

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HamGadgets

MasterKeyer MK-1

User Manual

Firmware Version 1.21

2/2/2010

Table of Contents

Summary of Contents for HamGadgets MasterKeyer MK-1

Page 1 HamGadgets MasterKeyer MK-1 User Manual Firmware Version 1.21 2/2/2010...
Page 2: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents Introduction........................3 Features ........................... 4 Setup and Installation...................... 6 Connecting to Your Computer..................9 Operating Instructions....................16 Using the Buttons......................20 Embedded Memory Commands ................... 28 Computer Commands ....................32 USB Keyboard Morse mode..................36 PC Keyboard Morse mode.................... 39 Keyboard Characters.....................
Page 3 Dale Botkin, NØXAS HamGadgets 16624 Elm St. Omaha, NE 68130-1826 Email: n0xas@hamgadgets.com This manual, the design and the firmware contained in the MasterKeyer MK-1 are copyright © 2009 by Dale Botkin and HamGadgets, all rights reserved. Firmware Version 1.21 2/2/2010...
Page 4: Introduction
USB host (Type A) port for use with USB storage devices and keyboards. There is a volume control for the internal sidetone monitor. The MasterKeyer MK-1 can be used standalone or connected to your computer through a USB connection. While no computer and no special software is required to fully enjoy...
Page 5: Features
Features • Simple to operate • Morse code keying from a single or dual lever paddle • Numerous keying modes supported o Curtis Mode A o Curtis Mode B (with adjustable paddle timing) o “Bug” mode – automatic dots, manual dashes o Ultimatic mode o Straight key or “Cootie”...
Page 6: Fcc Notice
• USB interface for connection to computer o Review or change any setting o Review, change and save memory messages o Send Morse code from text sent from the computer (ASCII to Morse translation) o Capture text sent from paddles (Morse to ASCII translation) o Compatible with K1EL Winkeyer protocol to support logging and contest software •...
Page 7: Setup And Installation
Setup and Installation Figure 1 - Rear panel Power Power is supplied via the POWER jack on the rear panel. This can be connected to a source of DC power commonly used in the ham shack – 12V to 13.8V DC is fine. However, the power supply will handle any DC or AC power source producing at least 9V, but not more than 20V, with current capacity of 300 milliamperes or more.
Page 8 Dash Paddle Wiring Common Figure 2 - Paddle wiring diagram As the dot and dash paddles are closed, the keyer will send perfectly timed and spaced dots and dashes. If the sidetone monitor is enabled, you will hear the Morse code dots and dashes from the internal speaker.
Page 9 The AMP OUT connector is an RCA jack. It can be used to key an amplifier, PTT line, or other special applications. This signal is also optically isolated and driven by a solid state relay; see the Specifications page for maximum ratings. The AMP OUT line is polarity sensitive;...
Page 10: Connecting To Your Computer
USB devices other than a FLASH drive or keyboard to the USB A connector. Your MasterKeyer MK-1 is equipped with a USB slave port (Type B connector) for connection to a computer. This connection is optional; the computer can be left disconnected or powered off without affecting the operation of the keyer.
Page 11 included with your keyer includes a copy of PuTTY, a free Windows terminal program that has a number of advantages over Hyperterminal, including support for COM port number greater than COM8. Install the Drivers When you connect the MK-1 to your computer via the USB port, the system will automatically detect the new device.
Page 12 Click the plus sign next to Ports (COM & LPT) to expand the list of serial and parallel ports: In this example, the new port appears as COM8. On your computer it may be a different port number, depending on how many other USB to serial converters have been connected and other factors.
Page 13 Note that the properties tab identifies this as an FTDI USB serial converter. Now, note the COM port number; we’ll need to remember that. Some software may not be able to deal with COM port numbers above COM8. If you need to change the COM port number, you can click on the Port Settings tab and click the Advanced button to select an unused, lower numbered port.
Page 14 Open the PuTTY program. This will be the Type the COM port name (COM8 in this first screen you see. example). Click the Serial radio button. Select the Serial category… Change Flow control to “None” Firmware Version 1.21 2/2/2010...
Page 15 Click the “Session” category. Type a name Now you can double-click the session name, for this connection – “MasterKeyer” is a or select it and click Open. good choice. Click Save. Type a question mark in the terminal window; you should see the MasterKeyer command menu.
Page 16 After starting Hyperterminal, type a name Select the COM port number assigned to for this connection. Select any icon you your MK-1 like. Modify the port settings for flow control = Click the “Call” icon (looks like a NONE. Since this is a USB connection, telephone).
Page 17: Operating Instructions
Operating Instructions Controls & Indicators The keyer has a few controls and indicators that are easy to learn, and easy to use. We’ll start with the front panel, shown here: Figure 5 - Front panel • The POWER indicator. This indicates that power is available and the power switch is on.
Page 18 • The six function/memory buttons. These have several uses, all of which are explained in more detail in the sections to follow. o Starting playback of a stored message o Recording a new message, or reviewing an existing one o Entering and leaving Paddle Command Mode o Entering and leaving Tune Mode o Entering and leaving USB Keyboard Mode o QSO number quick decrement...
Page 19 Setting the Speed Control The keyer’s speed can be adjusted using the speed control knob. The normal default speed range is from 5 to 35 words per minute (WPM), but this can be changed using the “R” command from the command menu. Rotating the speed control knob clockwise from approximately the “9 o’clock”...
Page 20 Only. In Paddles Only mode, you will hear the sidetone while sending manually from the paddles. You will not hear the MK-1 sidetone for anything send from the computer, stored messages or from the USB keyboard. Turning the sidetone monitor off lets you use your rig’s sidetone while operating, without the distraction or extra noise of the keyer –...
Page 21: Using The Buttons
Using the Buttons The six illuminated function/memory buttons along the top of the keyer give you instant access to the currently selected bank of six message slots. Using the buttons you can record a message, review it, play it back, and use the pause/resume feature. You can also access a number of functions as detailed in the following sections.
Page 22 5. Whoops! That should be “NE”, not “NI”!! No problem. Just send the normal Morse code for a mistake, 8 dits. The keyer will respond by “backing up” and re- sending the last word: OMAHA, 6. Continue the message: NE OMAHA, NE = UR RST/P= HW CPY? BK TO U 7.
Page 23 2. Now the keyer has stopped sending, but the button is still green. You send the signal report by hand. 3. As soon as the keyer detects that you have stopped sending, it automatically resumes… = HW CPY? BK TO U and pauses again. 4.
Page 24 Paddle Command Mode There is an optional “User Interface” speed setting, available via the U command. This setting will take effect in place of the Set speed any time you are in Paddle Command Mode. In this way you can easily recover from any unfortunate selections of Set speed and hi/lo speed control settings.
Page 25 You send: ‘U’. The keyer responds: ‘U 13 ?’ This tells you the User interface (command mode) speed is set to 13 WPM. The question mark is your “prompt” to let you know the keyer is ready to accept your next command. You wish to set the user interface speed to 20 WPM.
Page 26 A nnnn Sidetone audio frequency, 500 - 2500 Annnn in Hz. B nnn Beacon delay time in 0 – 255 Bnnn seconds C {0,T}{9,N} "Cut" numbers for serial 0, 9, T, N number. When set, 0 is sent as ‘T’ and 9 is sent as ‘N’.
Page 27 time is in element (dit) lengths after the last element you send, so timing depends on keying speed. K[A,B,U,G,S] K {A,B,U,G,S} Keying mode: Curtis A, A, B, U, G, S Curtis B, Ultimatic, Bug (G), or Straight key L[Y,N] L {Y,N} Automatic letter spacing Y, N on or off...
Page 28 U nn Command menu (User 5 - 99 interface) speed, WPM V {n.nx} Firmware version and type NA Mark/space Weight 1 - 9 RESET? Factory reset all settings, but not message memory. Respond with ‘Y’ to confirm, or ‘N; to cancel. WIPE? Wipe all stored messages from memory.
Page 29: Embedded Memory Commands
QSO Number Quick Decrement From time to time, you may wish to quickly decrement the automatic serial/QSO number. While this can be done from paddle command mode (QD command) or from within a message memory (/QD), there is an ever quicker and easier way. Simply press buttons 1 and 2 simultaneously.
Page 30 /B[nn] Beacon Set BEACON mode to repeat message. The optional nn parameter is the number of seconds to wait before repeating the message. If nn is omitted, the delay set in the B parameter in Command mode will be used. Carrier Send a carrier n seconds long.
Page 31 Speed Up Increments the current speed by one WPM /SHnnnn Set HSCW Sets HSCW mode to nnnn x 100 LPM. /SQnnn Set QRSS Sets QRSS mode, with a speed of nnn seconds per dot. MYCALL Sends the contents of the saved MYCALL parameter, if it has been set.
Page 32 Last Word: The /L command will send the contents of the ‘Last Word’ buffer. As Morse characters are sent from the paddles, they are stored in a temporary word buffer. When a delay of more than a normal Morse word space is encountered, the word is saved until the next time the paddle is used.
Page 33: Computer Commands
Repeat Word: The /R command will repeat the last word sent, including the space after it (if any). Speed Control: The /Sx commands can be used to control the sending speed during a message. Bear in mind that each of these commands is in effect only until the message terminates, when settings are returned to normal.
Page 34 Most commands that can be sent from the paddles in Command Mode can also be sent from the computer. Commands must be preceded by a slash character, and terminated with a carriage return. The input will be echoed to the computer as it is sent, so you can see the command as you type.
Page 35 Some commands are not available via the computer port. For example, the P command to assign the dot paddle can be used only in Paddle Command Mode. There are also some commands (such as editing messages) that are available from the computer, but are not available in Paddle Command Mode.
Page 36 This process can be reversed to create decimal codes if you wish to enter them from the keyboard. The rules to remember: 1. The number MUST be entered in the format \nnn. Use leading zeros. For example, the Morse letter D would be \009. 2.
Page 37: Usb Keyboard Morse Mode
USB Keyboard Morse mode Your MasterKeyer is capable of using a standard USB keyboard to send Morse code, send stored messages, and save and edit messages. In order to do this, connect a USB keyboard directly to the USB A port on the back panel. To enable the keyboard for use, simultaneously press function buttons 3 and 6 (this combination is marked “KEYBOARD”...
Page 38 Backspacing over text that has not yet been sent will prevent it from being sent. Automatic key repeat is not enabled. The keyboard is automatically set for caps lock; this cannot be changed. The num lock can be turned off if you are using a compact keyboard with an embedded numeric pad.
Page 39 bank, function key F1 will send Bank 1, Message 1. The 7 key will send Bank 2, message 1; F8 will send Bank 2, Message 2 and so on. As the keyboard is buffered, you can “stack” as many memory messages as you wish to be sent in sequence.
Page 40: Pc Keyboard Morse Mode
R S T / P = H O T / D R Y ▲ If you hit the TAB key, the message will be played back and the pointer will remain at the end of the message. R S T / P = H O T / D R Y ▲...
Page 41: Keyboard Characters
Keyboard Characters Both USB and PC keyboard modes use all of the normal 26 English language letters and digits 0 through 9. In addition, a few special characters are available as well as some commonly used prosigns, as shown in the table below: Keyboard Keys Morse code characters sent Exclamation (.-.-.--)
Page 42: K1El Winkeyer Protocol
K1EL Winkeyer Protocol Your MasterKeyer will operate with contest logging software that includes support for the K1EL Winkeyer protocol. Emulation mode is automatic; the MasterKeyer will respond properly to commands send from a computer via the USB port. There are a few differences in how commands are implemented by the MasterKeyer. The first of these differences is a limitation imposed by hardware.
Page 43: Care And Maintenance
FLASH memory, meaning it is retained while power is off but can be altered when needed. From time to time, it may be desirable to update the internal program (the firmware) that controls your MasterKeyer MK-1. Firmware updates can Firmware Version 1.21...
Page 44 Disconnect the PC from the USB B connector, if you have it connected. With power to the MasterKeyer MK-1 switched off, insert the FLASH drive into the USB host (A) connector on the rear panel. Hold down function/memory buttons 1 and 6 and switch the power on.
Page 45: Settings File Format
Settings File Format Your MasterKeyer uses relatively complex software to operate. There are also commands available (such as XA and XM) that will result in saved settings or messages being lost. As with most things, there exists the possibility that something will eventually go wrong.
Page 46 # This is an example of a comment line. A 00700 B 00015 D 00000 F 00000 G 01024 H 00001 J 00000 K 00000 M 00001 N 00000 # Note that leading zeros are optional. The next few lines # demonstrate settings with no leading zeros.
Page 47: Changes, Errata And Known Issues
Changes, Errata and Known Issues From time to time, the firmware that controls your MasterKeyer may be updated. This may be done to add new features, improve or change existing features or to fix errors or bugs. This section will list changes from the previous firmware release as well as list any known issues, errors or bugs.
Page 48 button. • Added /M embedded command to merge two characters into BUGFIXES / ENHANCEMENTS: • Fixed sidetone in tune mode to be always on. • Fixed a bug in message calls. A message calling a lower numbered msg could terminate early and/or send 7 dashes. •...
Page 49: Specifications
Specifications Physical Width 6-1/8” (155.5mm) Depth Case: approximately 4” (102mm) Including controls & connectors: approx. 5” (127mm) Height 1-1/2” (38mm) Weight 12.9 Oz (367g) Electrical Input Voltage 9 – 20 Volts, AC or DC, Not polarity sensitive DC Connector 5mm/2.5mm coaxial plug Input Current Less than 100 mA (no LEDs), less than 300 mA (all LEDs on)
Page 50: Table 7 - Command "Cheat Sheet
A – Audio tone Q – QSO# B – Beacon delay QI – Increment QSO# C – Cut numbers QD – Decrement QSO# D – Precomp delay R –Speed control range F – Farnsworth S – Set speed H – “Hang” time T –...