Re: [Elecraft] PTT-Key Settings won't save

[Josh Fiden]

This is the solution. Bob showed me how to do it before the UNSAFE option 
existed AFAIK. I wasn’t aware it was a fixable problem beyond booting computer 
first and only powering radio after everything was stable, or setting TX TEST 
mode. All a pain. 

Do this. 

73
Josh W6XU 

> On Jul 5, 2024, at 11:39 AM, Bob Wilson, N6TV  wrote:
> 
> Once you learn how to fix this unwanted keying issue in Windows, there's
> little reason to ever use the default UNSAFE option of *CONFIG:PTT-KEY*
> (tap '1' to toggle between "USB SAFE" or "UNSAFE").  The K4 does not have
> any equivalent option because it is simply not needed.
> 
> To prevent unwanted keying of your K3 or K4 about 6 or 7 times when using
> DTR or RTS to key the rig, just disable two COM port settings (Serial
> Enumeration and Modem Control at Startup) using Windows Device Manager.
> Just follow the instructions and screenshots in this short document, linked
> from my QRZ.COM page :
> 
>   - How to prevent unexpected transmissions when using FTDI USB-to-Serial
>   adapters  (online Google Doc, from post
>   
> 
> to
>   Elecraft Reflector, August 12th, 2018)
> 
> This applies to the Elecraft K3S, or a K3 with the FTDI version of the
> Elecraft KUSB, or the Elecraft K4, or the CW / FSK / PTT keying circuits in
> my S-BOX-USB .
> 
> If using a legacy 9-pin serial port on a PC like COM1: for keying, a simple
> registry edit is required.  See pages 29 to 33 in this PowerPoint
> Presentation for the details, or contact me OFF LINE for help via TeamViewer
> QuickSupport  if you
> don't want to attempt this yourself:
> 
>   - Everything You Need to Know About USB and Serial Interfaces
>   , updated for 2021, presented to Spokane
>   DX Association, Feb. 3rd, 2022
>  - Watch YouTube recording of this presentation here
>  .
> 
> Note that moving a rig's USB cable to a new USB hub (internal or external),
> or using commercial "device driver updater" software (not recommended), or
> a major Windows update like upgrading from Windows 10 to Window 11, will
> usually reset these important driver options back to defaults, so if the
> keying problem returns, simply perform this procedure again.
> 
> Then set CONFIG:PTT-KEY to UNSAFE and there will be no more hassles.
> 
> 73,
> Bob, N6TV
> 

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Re: [Elecraft] PTT-Key Settings won't save

[Frank Stein via Elecraft]

Thanks Bob.

73,
Frank
W4TG

On Fri, Jul 5, 2024 at 2:38 PM Bob Wilson, N6TV  wrote:

> Once you learn how to fix this unwanted keying issue in Windows, there's
> little reason to ever use the default UNSAFE option of *CONFIG:PTT-KEY*
> (tap '1' to toggle between "USB SAFE" or "UNSAFE").  The K4 does not have
> any equivalent option because it is simply not needed.
>
> To prevent unwanted keying of your K3 or K4 about 6 or 7 times when using
> DTR or RTS to key the rig, just disable two COM port settings (Serial
> Enumeration and Modem Control at Startup) using Windows Device Manager.
> Just follow the instructions and screenshots in this short document, linked
> from my QRZ.COM page :
>
>- How to prevent unexpected transmissions when using FTDI
>USB-to-Serial adapters  (online Google Doc,
>from post
>
> 
>  to
>Elecraft Reflector, August 12th, 2018)
>
> This applies to the Elecraft K3S, or a K3 with the FTDI version of the
> Elecraft KUSB, or the Elecraft K4, or the CW / FSK / PTT keying circuits in
> my S-BOX-USB .
>
> If using a legacy 9-pin serial port on a PC like COM1: for keying, a
> simple registry edit is required.  See pages 29 to 33 in this PowerPoint
> Presentation for the details, or contact me OFF LINE for help via TeamViewer
> QuickSupport  if you
> don't want to attempt this yourself:
>
>- Everything You Need to Know About USB and Serial Interfaces
>, updated for 2021, presented to Spokane
>DX Association, Feb. 3rd, 2022
>   - Watch YouTube recording of this presentation here
>   .
>
> Note that moving a rig's USB cable to a new USB hub (internal or
> external), or using commercial "device driver updater" software (not
> recommended), or a major Windows update like upgrading from Windows 10 to
> Window 11, will usually reset these important driver options back to
> defaults, so if the keying problem returns, simply perform this procedure
> again.
>
> Then set CONFIG:PTT-KEY to UNSAFE and there will be no more hassles.
>
> 73,
> Bob, N6TV
>
>
> On Thu, Jul 4, 2024 at 5:42 PM W3FPR  wrote:
>
>> Frank,
>>
>> Yes it should bring up RTS-DTR after the port is polled.
>> When running with Unsafe mode, pay attention to when the K3 is turned on
>> and when the computer is turned on.  At times, you may have to turn the
>> computer on after the K3, and an easy way to prevent the extraneous
>> keying is to either use TEST mode or simply turn VOX off during the
>> computer boot time.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 7/4/2024 6:54 PM, Frank Stein wrote:
>> > Don,
>> > Bingo. That, in fact, was the problem.  Turning on "Unsafe" solves the
>> > problem.  I use cwtype which sends to the com port and doesn't poll
>> > the comm port.
>> > Assuming I was using a program like N1MM, which does read from the com
>> > port (for frequencies), do I just set the PTT-KEY to RTS-DTR and turn
>> > on USB-safe and the rig will automatically set up RTS-DTR after it
>> > receives a poll?
>> >
>> > Thanks for the help everyone.
>> >
>> > 73,
>> > Frank
>> >
>>
> __
>> Elecraft mailing list
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>> 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
>> Message delivered to n...@arrl.net
>
>
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Re: [Elecraft] PTT-Key Settings won't save

[Bob Wilson, N6TV]

Once you learn how to fix this unwanted keying issue in Windows, there's
little reason to ever use the default UNSAFE option of *CONFIG:PTT-KEY*
(tap '1' to toggle between "USB SAFE" or "UNSAFE").  The K4 does not have
any equivalent option because it is simply not needed.

To prevent unwanted keying of your K3 or K4 about 6 or 7 times when using
DTR or RTS to key the rig, just disable two COM port settings (Serial
Enumeration and Modem Control at Startup) using Windows Device Manager.
Just follow the instructions and screenshots in this short document, linked
from my QRZ.COM page :

   - How to prevent unexpected transmissions when using FTDI USB-to-Serial
   adapters  (online Google Doc, from post
   

to
   Elecraft Reflector, August 12th, 2018)

This applies to the Elecraft K3S, or a K3 with the FTDI version of the
Elecraft KUSB, or the Elecraft K4, or the CW / FSK / PTT keying circuits in
my S-BOX-USB .

If using a legacy 9-pin serial port on a PC like COM1: for keying, a simple
registry edit is required.  See pages 29 to 33 in this PowerPoint
Presentation for the details, or contact me OFF LINE for help via TeamViewer
QuickSupport  if you
don't want to attempt this yourself:

   - Everything You Need to Know About USB and Serial Interfaces
   , updated for 2021, presented to Spokane
   DX Association, Feb. 3rd, 2022
  - Watch YouTube recording of this presentation here
  .

Note that moving a rig's USB cable to a new USB hub (internal or external),
or using commercial "device driver updater" software (not recommended), or
a major Windows update like upgrading from Windows 10 to Window 11, will
usually reset these important driver options back to defaults, so if the
keying problem returns, simply perform this procedure again.

Then set CONFIG:PTT-KEY to UNSAFE and there will be no more hassles.

73,
Bob, N6TV


On Thu, Jul 4, 2024 at 5:42 PM W3FPR  wrote:

> Frank,
>
> Yes it should bring up RTS-DTR after the port is polled.
> When running with Unsafe mode, pay attention to when the K3 is turned on
> and when the computer is turned on.  At times, you may have to turn the
> computer on after the K3, and an easy way to prevent the extraneous
> keying is to either use TEST mode or simply turn VOX off during the
> computer boot time.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 7/4/2024 6:54 PM, Frank Stein wrote:
> > Don,
> > Bingo. That, in fact, was the problem.  Turning on "Unsafe" solves the
> > problem.  I use cwtype which sends to the com port and doesn't poll
> > the comm port.
> > Assuming I was using a program like N1MM, which does read from the com
> > port (for frequencies), do I just set the PTT-KEY to RTS-DTR and turn
> > on USB-safe and the rig will automatically set up RTS-DTR after it
> > receives a poll?
> >
> > Thanks for the help everyone.
> >
> > 73,
> > Frank
> >
> __
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to n...@arrl.net
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Re: [Elecraft] PTT-Key Settings won't save

[W3FPR]

Frank,

Yes it should bring up RTS-DTR after the port is polled.
When running with Unsafe mode, pay attention to when the K3 is turned on 
and when the computer is turned on.  At times, you may have to turn the 
computer on after the K3, and an easy way to prevent the extraneous 
keying is to either use TEST mode or simply turn VOX off during the 
computer boot time.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/4/2024 6:54 PM, Frank Stein wrote:

Don,
Bingo. That, in fact, was the problem.  Turning on "Unsafe" solves the 
problem.  I use cwtype which sends to the com port and doesn't poll 
the comm port.
Assuming I was using a program like N1MM, which does read from the com 
port (for frequencies), do I just set the PTT-KEY to RTS-DTR and turn 
on USB-safe and the rig will automatically set up RTS-DTR after it 
receives a poll?


Thanks for the help everyone.

73,
Frank


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Re: [Elecraft] PTT-Key Settings won't save

[Frank Stein via Elecraft]

Don,
Bingo. That, in fact, was the problem.  Turning on "Unsafe" solves the
problem.  I use cwtype which sends to the com port and doesn't poll the
comm port.
Assuming I was using a program like N1MM, which does read from the com port
(for frequencies), do I just set the PTT-KEY to RTS-DTR and turn on
USB-safe and the rig will automatically set up RTS-DTR after it receives a
poll?

Thanks for the help everyone.

73,
Frank

On Thu, Jul 4, 2024 at 1:43 PM W3FPR  wrote:

> Frank,
>
> That is a "safety feature" because if the computer is turned on after
> the K3 is powered up, it can key the K3 when the computer tests/sets its
> ports.
> Once things have settled down at the computer, PTT-KEY should resort to
> whatever it was set before the power off.
>
> You can find the full explaination in the full firmware  release notes.
> It was some time ago,, so I suggest searching the release notes for
> PTT-KEY to find it.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 7/4/2024 12:23 PM, Frank Stein via Elecraft wrote:
> > Just clarify this strange behavior.
> > I use the Config Menu to set the PTT-Key to RTS-DTR.  As long as I don't
> > turn off the rig, it works correctly.  Once I turn off via the front
> panel
> > power switch, it loses this setting and goes back to OFF-OFF.
> > If while it is set to RTS-DTR I do a SAVE CONFIGURATION in the utility, I
> > can restore to the RTS-DTR values until I turn my power off.
> > Then it goes back to OFF-OFF.
> >
> > Other config settings such a 1 or 2 speakers still can be changed and the
> > change is stored even after a power off/on.
> > Where are the settings stored in the K3?  EPROM?  Could one memory cell
> in
> > an EPROM go bad?
> > Is there a way to "factory reset" or something to clear this problem?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Frank
> > W4TG
> >
> > On Thu, Jul 4, 2024 at 12:41 AM Jim Brown 
> wrote:
> >
> >> On 7/3/2024 8:14 PM, Frank Stein via Elecraft wrote:
> >>> Any thoughts on what might cause this? And how to fix it?
> >> Are you turning off the radio with the front panel button, or are you
> >> turning off the power supply?  Elecraft radios save their setting when
> >> they are turned off by that switch. If not with that switch, they will
> >> boot up with the last saved settings.
> >>
> >> 73, Jim K9YC
> >> __
> >> 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
> >> Message delivered to fst...@ieee.org
> >>
> > __
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> > 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
> > Message delivered to w3fpr...@gmail.com
>
>
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Re: [Elecraft] PTT-Key Settings won't save

[Ray]

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Re: [Elecraft] PTT-Key Settings won't save

[W3FPR]

Frank,

That is a "safety feature" because if the computer is turned on after 
the K3 is powered up, it can key the K3 when the computer tests/sets its 
ports.
Once things have settled down at the computer, PTT-KEY should resort to 
whatever it was set before the power off.


You can find the full explaination in the full firmware  release notes.  
It was some time ago,, so I suggest searching the release notes for 
PTT-KEY to find it.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/4/2024 12:23 PM, Frank Stein via Elecraft wrote:

Just clarify this strange behavior.
I use the Config Menu to set the PTT-Key to RTS-DTR.  As long as I don't
turn off the rig, it works correctly.  Once I turn off via the front panel
power switch, it loses this setting and goes back to OFF-OFF.
If while it is set to RTS-DTR I do a SAVE CONFIGURATION in the utility, I
can restore to the RTS-DTR values until I turn my power off.
Then it goes back to OFF-OFF.

Other config settings such a 1 or 2 speakers still can be changed and the
change is stored even after a power off/on.
Where are the settings stored in the K3?  EPROM?  Could one memory cell in
an EPROM go bad?
Is there a way to "factory reset" or something to clear this problem?

Thanks,
Frank
W4TG

On Thu, Jul 4, 2024 at 12:41 AM Jim Brown  wrote:


On 7/3/2024 8:14 PM, Frank Stein via Elecraft wrote:

Any thoughts on what might cause this? And how to fix it?

Are you turning off the radio with the front panel button, or are you
turning off the power supply?  Elecraft radios save their setting when
they are turned off by that switch. If not with that switch, they will
boot up with the last saved settings.

73, Jim K9YC
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Re: [Elecraft] PTT-Key Settings won't save

[Frank Stein via Elecraft]

Just clarify this strange behavior.
I use the Config Menu to set the PTT-Key to RTS-DTR.  As long as I don't
turn off the rig, it works correctly.  Once I turn off via the front panel
power switch, it loses this setting and goes back to OFF-OFF.
If while it is set to RTS-DTR I do a SAVE CONFIGURATION in the utility, I
can restore to the RTS-DTR values until I turn my power off.
Then it goes back to OFF-OFF.

Other config settings such a 1 or 2 speakers still can be changed and the
change is stored even after a power off/on.
Where are the settings stored in the K3?  EPROM?  Could one memory cell in
an EPROM go bad?
Is there a way to "factory reset" or something to clear this problem?

Thanks,
Frank
W4TG

On Thu, Jul 4, 2024 at 12:41 AM Jim Brown  wrote:

> On 7/3/2024 8:14 PM, Frank Stein via Elecraft wrote:
> > Any thoughts on what might cause this? And how to fix it?
>
> Are you turning off the radio with the front panel button, or are you
> turning off the power supply?  Elecraft radios save their setting when
> they are turned off by that switch. If not with that switch, they will
> boot up with the last saved settings.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
> __
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Re: [Elecraft] PTT-Key Settings won't save

[Jim Brown]

On 7/3/2024 8:14 PM, Frank Stein via Elecraft wrote:

Any thoughts on what might cause this? And how to fix it?


Are you turning off the radio with the front panel button, or are you 
turning off the power supply?  Elecraft radios save their setting when 
they are turned off by that switch. If not with that switch, they will 
boot up with the last saved settings.


73, Jim K9YC
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[Elecraft] PTT-Key Settings won't save

[Frank Stein via Elecraft]

Since Field Day, a new problem has appeared in my K3.
I noticed that the PTT-Key Configs settings (RTS and DTR) are not saved
when I turn off the rig.   Speaker + Headset configuration is saved as is 2
Speakers.  What would cause the PTT-Key configuration to not be saved?

Any thoughts on what might cause this? And how to fix it?

Thanks,
Frank
W4TG
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