[Elecraft] K3 RTTY setup with MMTTY

[Julius Fazekas]

I'm running into problems interfacing my K3 with MMTTY on transmit.

First, I'm unclear as to whether a keying interface (simple NPN 1K combo) is needed for the FSK IN and DTR? I am guessing that FSK IN comes from the TXD line out from the computer and DTR from the DTR out.

Then under the COM Port Radio Command, I'm not sure what needs to be specified. Do we chose Kenwood (like N1MM in the old days) or does it require something special?

How easy is it to damage the RS-232 / AUX I/O on the K3, if one makes the wrong connection?

Frustrated in Tennessee,
Julius

Julius Fazekas
N2WN

Tennessee Contest Group
TnQP http://www.tnqp.org/

Elecraft K2/100 #4455
Elecraft K3/100 #366

[Don Wilhelm]

Julius,

It will be easiest to use MMTTY in its AFSK mode. Connect the soundcard
line-in and line out to the K3 line-out and line-in jacks. Connect a
serial cable from the computer to the K3 RS-232 connector and set the K3
for DTR = PTT. Set MMTTY to use the COM port that you have connected
and you should be good to go with the K3 in DATA A or AFSK mode.

If you prefer to use FSK, you will have more work to do. You will have
to translate the RS-232 level signal (-15v to +15v) to a TTL level (0v
to +5v). The K3 can be damaged by applying the RS-232 levels to the FSK
input. You can use the transistor/diode/resistor scheme to activate
PTT, but you can also use the method described above.

73,
Don W3FPR

Post by Julius Fazekas
I'm running into problems interfacing my K3 with MMTTY on transmit.
First, I'm unclear as to whether a keying interface (simple NPN 1K combo) is needed for the FSK IN and DTR? I am guessing that FSK IN comes from the TXD line out from the computer and DTR from the DTR out.
Then under the COM Port Radio Command, I'm not sure what needs to be specified. Do we chose Kenwood (like N1MM in the old days) or does it require something special?
How easy is it to damage the RS-232 / AUX I/O on the K3, if one makes the wrong connection?
Frustrated in Tennessee,
Julius
Julius Fazekas
N2WN

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

Post by Julius Fazekas
First, I'm unclear as to whether a keying interface (simple
NPN 1K combo) is needed for the FSK IN and DTR? I am guessing
that FSK IN comes from the TXD line out from the computer and
DTR from the DTR out.

If you want to use MMTTY in the FSK mode, make two NPN/1K
interfaces. Connect one from TxD to the FSK input on the
ACC jack and connect the other from DTR to the PTT input
on the ACC jack. That puts everything on one cable/plug.

Post by Julius Fazekas
Then under the COM Port Radio Command, I'm not sure what
needs to be specified. Do we chose Kenwood (like N1MM in the
old days) or does it require something special?

Yes, "Kenwood" works with MMTTY 1.65. MMTTY 1.66G calls the
protocol Kenwood/Elecraft to eliminate any confusion. Do not
check either 'flow control' or DTR/RTS PTT. Since you will
be using FSK, set the "Frequency offset" to "None" since the
K3 reports the mark frequency (in FSK D or AFSK A).

73,

... Joe, W4TV

Post by Julius Fazekas
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2009 11:16 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 RTTY setup with MMTTY
I'm running into problems interfacing my K3 with MMTTY on transmit.
First, I'm unclear as to whether a keying interface (simple
NPN 1K combo) is needed for the FSK IN and DTR? I am guessing
that FSK IN comes from the TXD line out from the computer and
DTR from the DTR out.
Then under the COM Port Radio Command, I'm not sure what
needs to be specified. Do we chose Kenwood (like N1MM in the
old days) or does it require something special?
How easy is it to damage the RS-232 / AUX I/O on the K3, if
one makes the wrong connection?
Frustrated in Tennessee,
Julius
Julius Fazekas
N2WN
Tennessee Contest Group
TnQP http://www.tnqp.org/
Elecraft K2/100 #4455
Elecraft K3/100 #366 _______________________________________________
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[Richard Ferch]

Julius,

If you want to use FSK without giving up radio control you will need two
serial ports - one for radio control and one for FSK keying. You cannot do
FSK on the same port as radio control (unless you are using the KY; software
command, which the vast majority of software, including MMTTY, does not
support). If the port you use for FSK is a USB-to-serial adapter rather than
a true serial port, you will need to use the EXTFSK plugin for FSK.

In MMTTY you must configure a serial port for PTT (different from the radio
control port) in order to use FSK. However, you don't actually have to use
this port for PTT; you can configure it, enable it for FSK, and then just
not connect aany PTT line to DTR or RTS. MMTTY gives you two other
alternatives: you can do PTT either by software control or by keying DTR and
RTS on the radio control port.

If you use MMTTY's PTT port for FSK and/or PTT, both FSK and PTT will
require keying transistors, because these inputs on the K3's ACC connector
are TTL-level, not RS232 (FSK from TxD via a keying transistor to pin 5, PTT
from either DTR or RTS via a keying transistor to pin 4). If you choose to
do PTT using the radio control port (either DTR or RTS), you will not need a
keying transistor for this line, because this is an RS232-level input on the
K3.

For the radio command protocol, just choose Kenwood.

The K3's AFSK A mode is operationally equivalent to FSK D, but does not
require an FSK keying circuit; instead, you need an audio cable between the
sound card's line out and the radio's LINE IN jack.

73,
Rich VE3KI

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

In the K3 menu, PTT-KEY should be set to DTR-off? or?

If you are going to do FSK and PTT from the FSK port,
you can set PTT-KEY to OFF-OFF.

If you want PTT from the CAT port for other reasons (other
software) set DTR/RTS in MMTTY's "Radio Command" dialog to
PTT and set the K3 PTT-KEY to RTS-OFF (RTS is more commonly
used for PTT by other software - e.g. N1MM Logger,
WriteLog, etc.).

73,

... Joe, W4TV

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2009 2:47 PM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 RTTY setup with MMTTY
Thanks Joe!
First think I will do is get the update, that will save a
lil' confusion.
In the K3 menu, PTT-KEY should be set to DTR-off? or?
Looks like I didn't damage the K3 I/O, was sweating that, but
it was a bad setting.
Cheers,
Julius
Julius Fazekas
N2WN
Tennessee Contest Group
TnQP http://www.tnqp.org/
Elecraft K2/100 #4455
Elecraft K3/100 #366

Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 RTTY setup with MMTTY
Date: Sunday, January 4, 2009, 1:35 PM

Post by Julius Fazekas
First, I'm unclear as to whether a keying interface

(simple

Post by Julius Fazekas
NPN 1K combo) is needed for the FSK IN and DTR? I am

guessing

Post by Julius Fazekas
that FSK IN comes from the TXD line out from the

computer and

Post by Julius Fazekas
DTR from the DTR out.

If you want to use MMTTY in the FSK mode, make two NPN/1K
interfaces. Connect one from TxD to the FSK input on the
ACC jack and connect the other from DTR to the PTT input
on the ACC jack. That puts everything on one cable/plug.

Post by Julius Fazekas
Then under the COM Port Radio Command, I'm not

sure what

Post by Julius Fazekas
needs to be specified. Do we chose Kenwood (like N1MM

in the

Post by Julius Fazekas
old days) or does it require something special?

Yes, "Kenwood" works with MMTTY 1.65. MMTTY
1.66G calls the
protocol Kenwood/Elecraft to eliminate any confusion. Do
not
check either 'flow control' or DTR/RTS PTT. Since
you will
be using FSK, set the "Frequency offset" to
"None" since the
K3 reports the mark frequency (in FSK D or AFSK A).
73,
... Joe, W4TV

Post by Julius Fazekas
-----Original Message-----

Julius Fazekas

Post by Julius Fazekas
Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2009 11:16 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 RTTY setup with MMTTY
I'm running into problems interfacing my K3 with

MMTTY on transmit.

Post by Julius Fazekas
First, I'm unclear as to whether a keying

interface (simple

Post by Julius Fazekas
NPN 1K combo) is needed for the FSK IN and DTR? I am

guessing

Post by Julius Fazekas
that FSK IN comes from the TXD line out from the

computer and

Post by Julius Fazekas
DTR from the DTR out.
Then under the COM Port Radio Command, I'm not

sure what

Post by Julius Fazekas
needs to be specified. Do we chose Kenwood (like N1MM

in the

Post by Julius Fazekas
old days) or does it require something special?
How easy is it to damage the RS-232 / AUX I/O on the

K3, if

Post by Julius Fazekas
one makes the wrong connection?
Frustrated in Tennessee,
Julius
Julius Fazekas
N2WN
Tennessee Contest Group
TnQP http://www.tnqp.org/
Elecraft K2/100 #4455
Elecraft K3/100 #366

_______________________________________________

Post by Julius Fazekas
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[Ralph K1ZZI]

I only use one serial port here running FSK/MMTTY under N1MM and it controls my K3 perfect (FSK D).

73,
Ralph K1ZZI

Date: Sun, 4 Jan 2009 14:33:08 -0500
From: "Richard Ferch" <ve3iay at storm.ca>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 RTTY setup with MMTTY
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Message-ID: <08342CE06E7C45E2BBDC1B24488540D2 at WORKSTATION2>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Julius,

If you want to use FSK without giving up radio control you will need two
serial ports - one for radio control and one for FSK keying. You cannot do
FSK on the same port as radio control (unless you are using the KY; software
command, which the vast majority of software, including MMTTY, does not
support). If the port you use for FSK is a USB-to-serial adapter rather than
a true serial port, you will need to use the EXTFSK plugin for FSK.

In MMTTY you must configure a serial port for PTT (different from the radio
control port) in order to use FSK. However, you don't actually have to use
this port for PTT; you can configure it, enable it for FSK, and then just
not connect aany PTT line to DTR or RTS. MMTTY gives you two other
alternatives: you can do PTT either by software control or by keying DTR and
RTS on the radio control port.

If you use MMTTY's PTT port for FSK and/or PTT, both FSK and PTT will
require keying transistors, because these inputs on the K3's ACC connector
are TTL-level, not RS232 (FSK from TxD via a keying transistor to pin 5, PTT
from either DTR or RTS via a keying transistor to pin 4). If you choose to
do PTT using the radio control port (either DTR or RTS), you will not need a
keying transistor for this line, because this is an RS232-level input on the
K3.

For the radio command protocol, just choose Kenwood.

The K3's AFSK A mode is operationally equivalent to FSK D, but does not
require an FSK keying circuit; instead, you need an audio cable between the
sound card's line out and the radio's LINE IN jack.

73,
Rich VE3KI
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[Richard Ferch]

Post by Ralph K1ZZI
I only use one serial port here running FSK/MMTTY under N1MM and it

controls my K3 perfect (FSK D).

What do you mean by "controls", Ralph? Can you change frequency from the
computer? Does N1MM have frequency information from the radio?

If so, I would love to know how you are getting the FSK data to be
transmitted to the radio without using another port (either another serial
port, or maybe a parallel port using EXTFSK).

If not, and the only radio control you have is PTT and FSK keying (but no
frequency control), then you are missing out on some of N1MM Logger's best
capabilities and features. The second sentence in the N1MM user manual is:
"You really won't be impressed without the radio connected" - that's how
important the software's author thinks those features are.

73,
Rich VE3KI

[Dave Yarnes]

Hi Richard and All,

O.K. Since I'm just getting into this digital stuff, I'm not afraid to ask
a dumb question. Does what you say mean that I cannot use Ham Radio
Deluxe, plus its associated program digital master 780, to both control my
K3, as well as send and receive digital modes like PSK31 or RTTY? I think i
can receive these modes with just the one serial port connection, but not
sure about sending.

Dave W7AQK


----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Ferch" <ve3iay at storm.ca>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 7:12 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 RTTY setup with MMTTY

Post by Ralph K1ZZI

Post by Ralph K1ZZI
I only use one serial port here running FSK/MMTTY under N1MM and it

controls my K3 perfect (FSK D).
What do you mean by "controls", Ralph? Can you change frequency from the
computer? Does N1MM have frequency information from the radio?
If so, I would love to know how you are getting the FSK data to be
transmitted to the radio without using another port (either another serial
port, or maybe a parallel port using EXTFSK).
If not, and the only radio control you have is PTT and FSK keying (but no
frequency control), then you are missing out on some of N1MM Logger's best
"You really won't be impressed without the radio connected" - that's how
important the software's author thinks those features are.
73,
Rich VE3KI
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[Richard Ferch]

Hi Dave,

For sound card digital modes other than RTTY, you use the K3's DATA A mode.
This does not require a serial port connection for keying - it transmits
signals based on the audio from the sound card. For RTTY, you can do AFSK
RTTY the same way, i.e. with an audio connection, although there is a
different data sub-mode on the K3 called AFSK A that is specifically
optimized for RTTY. Both of these modes will work with a single serial port
connected to the radio's RS-232 jack for radio control, plus a pair of audio
cables between the sound card LINE IN and LINE OUT jacks and the K3's LINE
OUT and LINE IN jacks. That's all the interface you need.

If you insist on using FSK for RTTY instead of AFSK, then yes, you need
another port to do your FSK keying from, and unlike CW this port cannot be
the same one that you use for radio control (frequencies, etc.). You will
most likely need a one-transistor switch to convert the output from the port
to TTL level for input to the K3's ACC connector.

For getting started in digital modes, you can forget all about FSK and just
get your feet wet with AFSK. AFSK RTTY is perfectly compatible with FSK
RTTY, so you will not be missing anything.

73,
Rich VE3KI


-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Yarnes [mailto:w7aqk at cox.net]
Sent: January 6, 2009 1:50 AM
To: Richard Ferch; elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 RTTY setup with MMTTY


Hi Richard and All,

O.K. Since I'm just getting into this digital stuff, I'm not afraid to ask
a dumb question. Does what you say mean that I cannot use Ham Radio
Deluxe, plus its associated program digital master 780, to both control my
K3, as well as send and receive digital modes like PSK31 or RTTY? I think i

can receive these modes with just the one serial port connection, but not
sure about sending.

Dave W7AQK


----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Ferch" <ve3iay at storm.ca>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 7:12 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 RTTY setup with MMTTY

Post by Ralph K1ZZI

Post by Ralph K1ZZI
I only use one serial port here running FSK/MMTTY under N1MM and it

controls my K3 perfect (FSK D).
What do you mean by "controls", Ralph? Can you change frequency from
the computer? Does N1MM have frequency information from the radio?
If so, I would love to know how you are getting the FSK data to be
transmitted to the radio without using another port (either another
serial port, or maybe a parallel port using EXTFSK).
If not, and the only radio control you have is PTT and FSK keying (but
no frequency control), then you are missing out on some of N1MM
Logger's best capabilities and features. The second sentence in the
N1MM user manual is: "You really won't be impressed without the radio
connected" - that's how important the software's author thinks those
features are.
73,
Rich VE3KI
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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[Joe Subich, W4TV]

Post by Richard Ferch
If you insist on using FSK for RTTY instead of AFSK, then
yes, you need another port to do your FSK keying from, and
unlike CW this port cannot be the same one that you use for
radio control (frequencies, etc.). You will most likely need
a one-transistor switch to convert the output from the port
to TTL level for input to the K3's ACC connector.

If you want to do FSK you will need software other than
Ham Radio Deluxe and DM780 since they do not support FSK.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

Post by Richard Ferch
-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Richard Ferch
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 7:31 PM
To: 'Dave Yarnes'; elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 RTTY setup with MMTTY
Hi Dave,
For sound card digital modes other than RTTY, you use the
K3's DATA A mode. This does not require a serial port
connection for keying - it transmits signals based on the
audio from the sound card. For RTTY, you can do AFSK RTTY the
same way, i.e. with an audio connection, although there is a
different data sub-mode on the K3 called AFSK A that is
specifically optimized for RTTY. Both of these modes will
work with a single serial port connected to the radio's
RS-232 jack for radio control, plus a pair of audio cables
between the sound card LINE IN and LINE OUT jacks and the
K3's LINE OUT and LINE IN jacks. That's all the interface you need.
If you insist on using FSK for RTTY instead of AFSK, then
yes, you need another port to do your FSK keying from, and
unlike CW this port cannot be the same one that you use for
radio control (frequencies, etc.). You will most likely need
a one-transistor switch to convert the output from the port
to TTL level for input to the K3's ACC connector.
For getting started in digital modes, you can forget all
about FSK and just get your feet wet with AFSK. AFSK RTTY is
perfectly compatible with FSK RTTY, so you will not be
missing anything.
73,
Rich VE3KI
-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Yarnes [mailto:w7aqk at cox.net]
Sent: January 6, 2009 1:50 AM
To: Richard Ferch; elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 RTTY setup with MMTTY
Hi Richard and All,
O.K. Since I'm just getting into this digital stuff, I'm not
afraid to ask
a dumb question. Does what you say mean that I cannot use Ham Radio
Deluxe, plus its associated program digital master 780, to
both control my
K3, as well as send and receive digital modes like PSK31 or
RTTY? I think i
can receive these modes with just the one serial port
connection, but not
sure about sending.
Dave W7AQK
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Ferch" <ve3iay at storm.ca>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 7:12 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 RTTY setup with MMTTY

Post by Ralph K1ZZI

Post by Ralph K1ZZI
I only use one serial port here running FSK/MMTTY under N1MM and it

controls my K3 perfect (FSK D).
What do you mean by "controls", Ralph? Can you change frequency from
the computer? Does N1MM have frequency information from the radio?
If so, I would love to know how you are getting the FSK data to be
transmitted to the radio without using another port (either another
serial port, or maybe a parallel port using EXTFSK).
If not, and the only radio control you have is PTT and FSK

keying (but

Post by Ralph K1ZZI
no frequency control), then you are missing out on some of N1MM
Logger's best capabilities and features. The second sentence in the
N1MM user manual is: "You really won't be impressed without

the radio

Post by Ralph K1ZZI
connected" - that's how important the software's author

thinks those

Post by Ralph K1ZZI
features are.
73,
Rich VE3KI
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http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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_______________________________________________
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