Dear KX3 Community, FYI...I just finished a homebrew project to enhance my PSK31/RTTY experience with the KX3.
I love the innovative feature in the KX3 (and K3) where you can send and receive PSK31 and RTTY while portable, without a computer. But I thought a nifty enhancement would be to capture the 8 character scrolling characters on a bigger screen so I could read a few sentences at a time, and not have to keep my eyes glued to the screen. And while I was at it, I also thought it would be nice to send using a keyboard instead of paddles. So I made a device I call the "Data Depot" (until I think of a better name). I've already made a number of PSK31 QSOs with it. All made possible with the KX3's internal PSK31/RTTY decoding and it's set of commands available via the serial port. It does CW also, but since I actually like CW, I didn't focus on it :-). For the KX3 or K3, it'll send CW thru the serial port as you type, or it has a relay inside to hook up to the key input of any rig. Pictures can be found in the Yahoo group at: I also added some at the bottom of this post, but this is my first time adding pics, so I'm hoping they get added OK. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KX3/photos/album/437249179/pic/list The case it's in is nice, but it'll fit into a smaller case, if I can find the right one. Here's what it does: <General Features> • Uses Sierra Radio's Hamstack Microcontroller Project Platform • Power requirements: 9-15 VDC • LCD brightness control • At 9V, draws 16 ma with no LCD backlight (still readable in sunlight), 27 ma with medium LCD backlight brightness, and up to 70 ma at max LCD backlight brightness. • Connects to the KX3 with a serial cable (simple 1/8" stereo cable) • Connects to the K3 with a DB9 serial cable • Automatically syncs with the KX3 or K3 no matter what RS232 baud rate is selected in the rig <Receiving> • Displays data in real time, as it is decoded and presented by the rig. • Most recent 80 characters displayed on the screen • Automatically removes extra spaces within text, so more of the useful text is displayed. • Tap a button to freeze the display. A solid LED on indicates the display is non-real-time • Hold the same button to scroll back. Scrolls back approx.. 1 line per second, to a maximum of 20 lines. • Tap the button again to resume normal, real time display. LED is out. <Transmitting> • Uses a PS2 keyboard • Starts transmitting whenever keys are pressed • Stops automatically 4 seconds after the last character is sent (rig feature) • Press the ESC key to terminate the transmission immediately <Stored Messages> • Stores 10 messages, 60 characters each using F1 – F10 on the keyboard • Press F12 to enter the message edit mode, then select the F key you want to edit/store. A flashing LED indicates you are in the edit message mode • Type the message and press F12 again to save and exit • Press ESC any time when in the edit mode to exit without saving • Messages are stored in EEPROM, so they are non-volatile, and always there. • Messages can be chained. Example: if CQ is stored in F1, pressing F1 twice will send the entire message twice. <How it was Packaged> • Top panel o 80 character LCD display o Mode button (to freeze, scroll, edit) o Mode status LED (OFF: normal, ON: Freeze/Scroll, BLINKING: message edit • Rear panel o 2.1 mm DC Power connector o 3.5 mm (1/8") serial port connector (for KX3) o DB-9 male serial port connector (for K3) o PS2 keyboard connector o System reset button o LCD backlight brightness control 72/73, Shel KF0UR http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/file/n7559657/KF0UR_Data_Depot-1.jpg http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/file/n7559657/KF0UR_Data_Depot-2.jpg http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/file/n7559657/KF0UR_Data_Depot-3.jpg -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-PSK31-RTTY-CW-Accessory-tp7559657.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
