[Elecraft] K2: diodes for using straight key?
It seems I read somewhere that there is a diode mod for the K2 so that a straight key can be input into the unit along with a paddle and the K2 can tell the difference and one can use both keys? Or was I dreaming :) N1BBR -- bw...@fastmail.net __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2: diodes for using straight key?
On Sat, 2010-02-06 at 20:31 -0800, dw wrote: > It seems I read somewhere that there is a diode mod for the K2 so that a > straight key can be input into the unit along with a paddle and the K2 > can tell the difference and one can use both keys? > > Or was I dreaming :) You were not dreaming! The K2 will treat a simultaneous contact closure of both the dot and the dash lines as a straight key. The two diodes are there to eliminate the short circuit that would otherwise exist between the two sides of the paddle, which would cause a contact closure on either side of the paddle to ground both sides (and therefore be treated as a straight key as well). The circuit is on page 95 of the K2 manual. There is also a menu item that you will need to ensure is turned on. 73, Brian VE7NGR __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2: diodes for using straight key?
In a recent message, dw wrote ... >It seems I read somewhere that there is a diode mod for the K2 so that a >straight key can be input into the unit along with a paddle and the K2 >can tell the difference and one can use both keys? > I agree with Brian, this arrangement works quite well, although I use a pair of 1N5821 Shottky diodes in place of the 1N4148 and have also wired a 0.47uF (474) capacitor across the straight key. Without the capacitor I got unpredicted errors, possibly caused by stray r.f. in the shack. My only regret is that the K3 does not have a menu option to accept my K2 dual key assembly. Consequently, I have to use a different key for the K3. 73 -- David G4DMP Leeds, England, UK -- __ 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