PC to radio keying circuit?

[Andrew Moore]

Can anyone recommend a simple circuit to use my PC (running FLdigi,
CWType, or something similar) to key the Corsair II?

I have some 5 and 12 volt reed relays and a slew of electronics
components. Years ago I used a circuit that had a single transistor
(or maybe it was just a diode) and a reed relay... time to go digging
I guess. I'd love to get this Corsair II doing QRQ tonight.

--Andrew, NV1B, CFO 963
..

[Tom Delker]

There are a number of simple circuits out there that we use with contesting software that work from either RS-232 or Parallel  PC ports. 

 

Here are some resources for some commercial versions:

 

http://www.n1mm.com/  check the "support->supported hardware" tab.

 

TRLOG manual has some simple circuits:

 

http://www.trlog.com/manual.shtml

go to appendix "B" and you will find the circuits.  Just a transistor and a resistor will get you keying in no time!

 

73,

 

Tom - K1KY CFO 395?

 

---

From: Andrew Moore <andre...@gmail.com>
To: CFO <Chicken-Fat-O...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 8, 2009 3:47:32 PM
Subject: [Chicken Fat Operators-586] PC to radio keying circuit?

[Andrew Moore]

Thanks Tom. I found a simple parallal port circuit that uses a 2n2222
and a couple resistors. I was just about to wire it up when I
realized I sold off my transistors and resistors at a hamfest a couple
months ago! Time to forage for more.

Hope to get this circuit running tonight.

Thanks,
--Andrew

[Andrew Moore]

Found my stash of resistors and semiconductors -- turns out I didn't
sell them at the hamfest after all. Rigged up a keying circuit using
a 2n2222, diode and a couple resistors, driven from the parallel port
using CWType, and it works beautifully. Hope to run into some QRQ on
7030 this weekend and give it a test.

[Jack Rucker]

Andrew,

 

You got rid of your resistors? I still have some of the body-tip-dot resistors from the late '40s & early '50s. I had them in 0.05 & 0.10 cigar boxes, but the White Owl 0.05 boxes didn't hold up too well. I guess the expensive 0.10 Roi Tan cigars deserved a higher quality box. 

 

The resistors are really neat - carbon sticks with the leads wrapped around the ends. Too bad you aren't closer.

 

Jack W4SON  CFO #59

 

---

[Andrew Moore]

See the followup I just posted -- they're still here! What a relief!

I went to the MIT hamfest a couple months ago and got rid of loads of
stuff, and was planning to ditch my electronics components "library."
A few misc. parts, plus my entire stash of toroids, ended up going.
Fortunately the other stuff did not. I'm working on building a small
office / shack / everything room which should be complete in about
three months, so I'll finally have a place for the "lab" -- incentive
to NOT get rid of my electronics. They sure come in handy for little
projects like this.

> The resistors are really neat - carbon sticks with the leads wrapped around
> the ends. Too bad you aren't closer.

Nice thought!

So now I finally have a crude way to do QRQ on the Corsair II again...
hope to be on there this weekend. I'll eventually rig up a dedicated
keyboard (no PC) but one thing at a time. At least this gets the job
done.

..