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QRPworks K-Board User Manual

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QRPworks
K-Board
™
User Manual
K-Board User Manual
rev 1.6
Page 1 of 37

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Summary of Contents for QRPworks K-Board

  • Page 1 QRPworks K-Board ™ User Manual K-Board User Manual rev 1.6 Page 1 of 37...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Naming Rig Macros Sending a Rig Macro Call Sign Entered Grab & Go™ Contest Serial Numbers Reserved Message Characters Quick QSY™ Voltage Check Help System Reset Compatibility with Other Products Updating the Firmware K-Board User Manual rev 1.6 Page 2 of 37...
  • Page 3 Technology Support Acknowledgements Troubleshooting Tips Summary of LED Operation: Summary of Keyboard Commands Firmware Revision History K-Board User Manual rev 1.6 Page 3 of 37...

  • Page 4: Overview

    Overview ™ Thank you for your purchase of the QRPworks K-Board It’s the Smart Keyboard Interface for the Elecraft KX3 and K3/K3S, and is used to enhance your operating experience. In a nutshell,  It is a message generator, allowing you to send up to 20 messages you have defined, with just a keystroke.

  • Page 5: Setup

    K3s into the K3s RS232 port. Use a DB9-M to 3.5 mm cable (available from QRPworks) from the DE9 adapter to the K-Board Rig port. Do not connect the radio cable if the PC cable is in use.
  • Page 6  The second K-Board 3.5 mm jack, labeled “PC” is used for transferring message/macro sets from the PC or Mac to the K-Board using the free QRPworks Message Management Utility. It is also used to load new software into the K-Board. The Elecraft KXUSB or KXSER cables should be used between this serial port and a PC.
  • Page 7 FSK D for RTTY “TX Data” will be the mode shown on the screen  Text: DEC ON, by holding the Data/Text button.  31 bPS or 63 bPS (select with VFO A) K-Board User Manual rev 1.6 Page 7 of 37...

  • Page 8: Keyboard Choices

    VFO-B. Refer to the Data Modes section in the K3 manual Keyboard Choices The K-Board can be used with a wired or wireless USB keyboard. Please note that the wireless keyboard must be a 2.4 GHz wireless keyboard, and NOT a Bluetooth keyboard.

  • Page 9: Starting Up

    Then the green LED will flash while the K-Board automatically attempts to connect with the rig via its serial port. 38400 baud is the required speed. Note: turn the rig on first before turning the K-Board on. K-Board User Manual rev 1.6...

  • Page 10: Transmitting Text

    - if in CW, RTTY, PSK31, or PSK63, and text decoding is on, you will see “R” on the rig’s scrolling display. If the K-Board does not connect to the rig, the Red LED will flash for a few seconds and turn off. If you expect a...

  • Page 11: K-Board Prompts

    You just type and the K-Board and the rig will take care of the rest. K-Board Prompts You have the option of seeing K-Board user prompts on the rig’s scrolling display. The prompts are reminders to you that the K-Board is waiting for a command.

  • Page 12: Creating Or Editing A Text Message Or Rig Macro

    1-10 respectively, or hit ESC to exit without changing groups. The selected message group is remembered when the K-Board is off, and will automatically be loaded as the current message group in use upon starting up. 2. You can create a message or macro using the keyboard.

  • Page 13: Naming Text Messages

    R on the rig’s display. If you want to cancel the editing of a message, press the ESC key. The K-Board will return to the normal mode and the Yellow LED will go out. When in RTTY or PSK, the rig will remain in transmit mode for approx.
  • Page 14 The longer the name, the less room you will have for the message. Example: Call CQ: CQ CQ CQ de KF0UR K-Board User Manual rev 1.6 Page 14 of 37...

  • Page 15: Previewing Text Messages And Rig Macros

    Previewing Text Messages and Rig Macros The K-Board provides a way to see the contents of message or a rig macro before it is sent. This is handy if you forget which message or macro is stored, where. Hit Alt-P, then the F key for the message or macro you’d like to see.

  • Page 16: Storing And Sending Rig Macros

    Put the rig into Split mode, with VFO B 1 KHz above VFO A While the rig allows you to store some macros, the K-Board expands that by allowing you to create and store 20 macros, 80 characters each in the K-Board, and executing them with a simple keystroke.

  • Page 17: Creating A Rig Macro

     Enter characters from the keyboard. Any previous macro will be erased. Macros must start with a period (.) as the very first character. This tells the K-Board it is a rig macro and not a text message. Example: .20M:FA00014012000;...
  • Page 18 R on the rig’s display. o If you want to cancel the editing of a macro, press the ESC key. The K-Board will return to the normal mode. The Yellow LED will go out K-Board User Manual rev 1.6...

  • Page 19: Summary Of Message/Macro Editing Operation

    The commands used in rig macros are cryptic, and when you look at a list of commands in a rig macro, it may not be obvious what the macro does. To help you remember, K-Board allows you to name each macro. The name will then be shown in the message preview.

  • Page 20: Sending A Rig Macro

    To send a stored rig macro, just press F1 to F10 for macros 1- 10 and Alt-F1 to Alt-F10 for macros 11-20. The sequence of commands will then be sent to the rig. K-Board User Manual rev 1.6 Page 20 of 37...

  • Page 21: Call Sign Entered

    Call Sign Entered The K-Board gives you the ability to capture another station’s call sign and have it sent out automatically in messages. You may be familiar with this feature in most contest loggers and PSK or RTTY programs. To use it, ...

  • Page 22: Grab & Go

    Grab & Go™ ™ The K-Board has a unique feature call Grab & Go which helps you to maintain the flow in contests or regular QSOs. Grab & Go allows you capture (grab) a station’s call at the same time you are responding on the air. This is instead of typing the other stations call in the Enter Call screen (Alt-C) and then sending it subsequently.

  • Page 23: Contest Serial Numbers

    Press Alt-W to clear (wipe) the call entered. Contest Serial Numbers The K-Board provides serial numbers that are useful in contesting. Using the Message feature, you can send a serial number (1, 2, 3, etc.) automatically when sending a message.

  • Page 24: Reserved Message Characters

    ! - (exclamation point) used to substitute the other station’s call # - (pound sign) used to substitute a contest serial number K-Board User Manual rev 1.6 Page 24 of 37...

  • Page 25: Quick Qsy

    | - (vertical bar) used at the end of a RTTY or PSK message to immediately stop transmitting after the last character is sent. Quick QSY™ The K-Board provides a Quick QSY feature to change frequency and mode very quickly and easily. To use it, press Alt-Q. Enter the frequency and an optional character to indicate the mode to change to.

  • Page 26: Voltage Check

     28425U - sets freq to 28.425 MHz AND mode to USB If in CW, RTTY, PSK, and K-Board user prompts are on (Alt-E) and text decoding is on in the rig, then you will see “FREQ? displayed on the rig’s scrolling display.

  • Page 27: System Reset

    System Reset If you want to reset the K-Board, press Alt-R. Then press “Y” to confirm the reset or “N” or ESC to cancel the reset. The reset is similar to turning the unit off and then on again. One reason for doing a reset is to re-initiate the communications to the rig, in case it is not connected.

  • Page 28: Updating The Firmware

    Updating the Firmware The K-Board firmware is able to be upgraded via the “PC” serial port connector. A common utility program for all QRPworks products, including Ham Central Terminal, Key Log Go, SideKar, and the K-Board is available. To see the K-Board firmware version, press Alt-Z. The LEDs...
  • Page 29 Verify the rig baud rate is set to 38400. a. Turn off the rig b. Turn off the K-Board via the on/off switch c. Turn the rig on first. d. Wait a few seconds e. Turn on the K-Board 2.
  • Page 30 Enter call followed Message by same F key, or hit ESC. Waiting for number to be Alt-N Set Serial entered. Enter number Yellow flashing Number followed by Enter, or hit ESC. K-Board User Manual rev 1.6 Page 30 of 37...
  • Page 31 Waiting for Freq. to be Alt-Q Quick QSY Yellow flashing entered. Enter freq followed by Enter, or hit ESC. Displaying K-Board voltage. Alt-V KB Voltage Yellow flashing Hit ESC to exit. Waiting for F key of the message/macro to be F12 or ALT-Z created.
  • Page 32 Function Meaning Displaying Help. Hit ESC to Alt-H Help Yellow flashing exit. K-Board User Manual rev 1.6 Page 32 of 37...
  • Page 33 Toggle between USA and UK Keyboards Alt-N Set the contest serial Number Alt-P Preview a message or macro Alt-Q Quick QSY Reset the K-Board Alt-R Display K-Board Voltage Alt-V Wipe the call entered for Enter Call, Grab Alt-W & Go...
  • Page 34 F1 to F10 Send text messages/macros 1-10 Alt-F1 to Alt- Send text messages/macros 11-20 Enter Edit Mode. While in Edit mode, save message or macro K-Board User Manual rev 1.6 Page 34 of 37...
  • Page 35 Firmware Revision History Version Changes Allow Message Management Utility to 2.2.1 download all 10 groups of messages. Alt-G selects active group 2.1.1 Initial production release K-Board User Manual rev 1.6 Page 35 of 37...
  • Page 36 9, 28 message management utility, 12 Grab & Go, 22 naming messages, 13 naming rig macros, 19 help, 26 overview, 4 connections, 5 K3/K3S settings, 8 previewing messages / macros, 15 K-Board User Manual rev 1.6 Page 36 of 37...
  • Page 37 20 sending a stored message, 15 serial numbers, 23 updating the firmware, 28 serial port, 5 setup, 5 starting up, 8, 9 stored text messages, 11 voltage check, 26 K-Board User Manual rev 1.6 Page 37 of 37...

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