[WT-support] Minimum WinKey CW speed

[Bob Wilson, N6TV]

On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 2:35 PM, Robert Chipperfield <robert at syxis.co.uk>wrote:

>
>  What are you using?  I may be able to do the same keyer sync scripts with
>> some radios.  Even if I can't, try using ON/OFF keying via Serial Port or
>> COM port PIN and inexpensive legacy keying circuit as documented in the
>> Wiki; I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how well it works.
>>
> It's an IC-7000.
>

Unfortunately, Icom provides no software control of the radio's internal
keyer.  It seems that all Icom radios have this limitation; it's not just
limited to the IC-7000.   Similar limitations apply to software control of
the RIT and VFO B.

Something I didn't see how I can do - though I could be missing it - is to
> connect what is effectively a "straight key" from the COM port keying, and
> an iambic paddle at the same time?
>

Some Icom rigs have one input for a paddle, and another separate input for
a straight key, but not the IC-7000, so this cannot be done.  The K3 allows
ON/OFF keying via a serial port DTR or RTS PIN; I'm not aware of any other
radio that supports this nice feature.

Maybe you can sell your IC-7000 and buy a K3. :-)

I did some brief experiments to try and do this on the basis I could then
> have run the WK at 20wpm and used the rig's internal keyer at 15wpm for
> sending slower when required, but couldn't see an easy solution.
>

When using an IC-7000, there seems there are really just two options:

   1. Use a WinKey (20 WPM min.)
   2. Use a COM/LPT port keying circuit and an external keyer like a
   Logikey, with the keyer output wired in parallel with the Win-Test ON/OFF
   keying circuit (e.g., via a stereo "T" adapter).

 See http://docs.win-test.com/wiki/Interfaces#COM-port_CW_keying

I suppose you could use the WinKey in standalone mode as a keyer for the
> paddle, and then parallel the output of that with the COM port keyer.


Yes, though almost any legacy keyer will work; you don't need a WinKey.

You'd not get the niceties like stopping computer-generated output when you
> touched the paddle, but that may not be too much of an issue.


Correct; you get used to hitting Escape.

73,
Bob, N6TV
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