Another Newbie question - HL2 + suitable CW keyer?

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gadget...@gmail.com

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Jun 13, 2023, 9:48:34 AM6/13/23
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I've read quite a bit about the HL2 and CW and it seems to me the best way for me is to have a standalone keyer to deal with the latency and sidetone.  I operate a paddle key but also might dip my toe into some CWT or MST or other "contests" so being able able to send pre-programmed text via N1MM or similar would also be good to have.

Does any use either the Nano Keyer or the Open CW Keyer successfuly with the HL2 and preferably with Thetis, SDR Console and others if possible?

My HL2 is still being manufactured but I'm trying to get everything ready for when it arrives.

TIA
Alan.

"Christoph v. Wüllen"

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Jun 13, 2023, 10:24:19 AM6/13/23
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I have used several keyers with the HL2, namely

microHam DigiKeyer II
microHam DXP
K1EL WinKeyer
several Arduino-based WinKey clones

and used them in contests as well. Here the communication between
the contest logging program and the keyer is via USB (or USB-to-Serial).

So the type of keyer is immaterial, as long as it can sink the
HL2 CW input line.

As for the side tone, you either relay on the side tone of the small "buzzer"
built into the keyer (many keyers have this), or you can use the KeyOut line
to switch an external tone generator whose output is mixed with RX audio
and then goes to your ears.

A very fancy solution is available, in which there is a microcontroller
(Teensy) that acts as a sound-card and as a keyer to the computer,
and which internally mixes the side tone with the RX audio, see

https://github.com/softerhardware/CWKeyer

and ther is also a Google group on this.
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Jean-Baptiste GALLAUZIAUX

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Jun 13, 2023, 6:37:50 PM6/13/23
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Don't miss SparkSDR, it can decode CW and you can transmit from your keyboard.
73 - Pierre - FK8IH

radi...@mail.com

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Jun 15, 2023, 5:42:36 PM6/15/23
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I use the G4ZLP Digimaster keyer. Lowish priced, nicely built and implemented and uses the WinKeyer protocol hence integrates with most software including N1MM for example. Works extremely well with the HL2 plugged into the HL2 key/PTT jack, and I use sidetone generated inside SDR Console - latency fine up to around 30wpm.


Max

Phil Davis

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Jun 15, 2023, 6:43:59 PM6/15/23
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I haven’t tried this keyer with the HL2 but have successfully tested with my Kenwood TS-590SG.   It’s available on ebay, the seller I bought from currently has no listing but does have them usually.  Cost is under $30 Australian, has keyboard input as well as straight key and paddle inputs.  Macros can be recorded and played at selectable speeds, the paddle input works well, correctly setting element lengths and spacing.  Has a piezo for sidetone and led for visual indication.  http://betatech-instruments.com/consu-en.php 

gadget...@gmail.com

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Jun 21, 2023, 11:51:46 AM6/21/23
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Max,

That sounds like it might work for me and might also solve my problem with Elad keying when using SDR C.  I could simply swap the keyer to either radio.

Alan.

radi...@mail.com

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Jun 21, 2023, 5:21:36 PM6/21/23
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If you are in the UK you might also consider this super cheap keyer pcb (based on OSK I think?) from Paul M0BMN but I don't know about compatibility with N1MM etc. No personal experience.


He's got various other variants on his website:


73

Max 
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