CW Keyer - Hardware

[si...@sdr-radio.com]

Hi Steve,

 

Thinking about this as I’ll be starting implementation next week. As well as HL2 I’ll use this on a variety of hardware – FDM DUO, Pluto, Lime, Ettus (maybe).

 

1. Ruggedness – I’m a somewhat clumsy clown so would repackage in a diecast box. For me a kit should ideally not have the pots and 3.2mm sockets soldered in place.
2. You’ll hate me for this – An array of buttons on the top which emit MIDI messages. I would use these buttons to trigger memories. I know memories could be triggered by a second MIDI device and/or clicking in a GUI, but a button on the top like the WinKey has would be excellent.

 

Running for cover,

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Simon,

We could make the POTs optional in future builds. What do others think? There is a github issue on this:

https://github.com/softerhardware/CWKeyer/issues/6

I may make one of the small PCBs described in that issue to enhance ruggedess.

3D printing of a case or sides is another option.

There are two expansion connectors on the keyer for buttons/display. As currently conceived, the top plate can be redesigned by some ambitious user who wants buttons and even a small display.

73,

Steve

kf7o

[si...@sdr-radio.com]

Steve,

 

Thanks for this, the design rules nothing out.

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

 

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["Christoph v. Wüllen"]

So if it comes to possible improvements for further generations of
the hardware, here my observations:

- the pots are somewhat close. It is difficult to change the speed
without accidentally changing the side tone frequency. I ended up
with removing the two center knobs. Side tone volume and frequency
is a one-time adjustment and could be made with small trimmers.

- the 3.5mm trs jack for HL2 connection is a design flaw, since the
"S" connects two outputs of two opto-couplers, and the whole
thing with opto-couplers is to keep them isolated. I would vote
for two isolated (!) RCA jacks. Connecting the HL2 is then still possible with
a low-cost consumer audio cable (3.5mm stereo plug at one end,
two RCA plugs at the other), but it is also possible to key
a radio which has, for example, positive switching for PTT and
negative switching for CW. For example, I need this isolation for
interfacing the keyer to the 50-year old FT101.

- If the people want push-buttons, give them push-buttons.
A full-featured K1EL-Winkey emulation will support these buttons.

[Matthew]

Hi Group,

Does anyone have experience of "Discussions" on github. It seems this is a much better way to have development discussions. Having been busy this week, I have really lost track of the conversations scattered across all the different online and offline email threads this week.

73 Matthew M5EVT.

[Alan Hopper]

Hi Matthew,

I agree, I saw this message whilst searching for the best thread to post a keyer comment to and was struggling :). github discussions work well for the Avalonia ui project.

73 Alan M0NNB

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Matthew and Alan,

I agree with you both. Google Groups is slightly better than e-mail. There are several threads on the same topic. I have hard time keeping up with all posts and e-mails, especially during a busy work week. I'm willing to try Github discussions. I've enabled it for the CWKeyer:

https://github.com/softerhardware/CWKeyer/discussions/10

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Matthew]

Thanks Steve. The interface looks good for tracking different topics relating to the CWKeyer. I really like the capability within github for cross referencing issues, pull requests etc.

73 Matthew M5EVT.

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

Please note that we are moving CWKeyer development discussion from this Google Group and e-mail to the new github discussion group. Feel free to participate there. This Google Group is fairly large now with over 1000 members, and I'd like to keep this group focused on general HL2 questions, discussion and help. The github discussion group is at:

https://github.com/softerhardware/CWKeyer/discussions

73,

Steve

kf7o