Archive:      KV045B.ZIP (HAMware)
Date:         JUL-01-2000
OpSys:        DOS 
Description:  Electronic keyer program /w text display
Version:      0.45beta
Files:        KV.EXE
              KV.TXT    
              KVDEU.TXT (german)
              KVPORT.GIF (Interface-schematic)


Copyright (c) 2000  Ulrich Strate, DF4KV  (df4kv@web.de)
                     
Address:            Lommerwiese 18
                    D-53639 Koenigswinter
                    Germany


Other copyrights:

Borland C 3.1 (c) 1991 Borland International


Legal Notice:

This program is HAMware, it may be freely copied for private non-commercial 
use. The author does not guarantee that it will be useful for any purpose. 
The author takes no responsibility for any damage that may occur from 
using this program on a computer system.


The program is still in an experimental state; comments/feedback are welcome!


Description:

This small program will emulate an electronic morse code keyer (elbug) 
on your PC. The keyer paddle (either single or twin-lever type) is connected 
via the LPT1 printer port, the interface being compatible to the N6TR contest 
software.

All morse code input is immediately decoded and printed to the computer 
screen; there is also a display of the measured effective morse speed sent 
(according to the PARIS-standard). 

Various parameters, such as speed, transmitter weight compensation, setting 
of dot and dash memories can be altered individually, so a number of 
popular electronic keyer designs can be emulated.

Timing granularity of the clock is 429 microseconds, therefore any timing 
changes made will increment or decrement in 429 usec steps. 

In this early program version, all timing relations are based on the PARIS 
standard with a constant 3:1 DASH:DOT ratio. More flexible weight adjustment 
facilities will be added in future versions, for now, you can vary the COMP 
setting to achieve a non-standard timing scheme.

The Details:

This programm should be run in pure DOS mode. It is not recommended, and has 
not been tested, running it in a Windows DOS Box. 
The program is invoked by typing  KV [COMP] from the DOS command line. 
The optional parameter COMP(ensation)/microseconds allows to correct any 
timing distortion caused from the transmitter.
For example, if your transmitter shortens the cw-marks by 2 msec, you can 
regain a proper 1:1 ratio by typing KV 2000. The COMP value may vary 
from -12000 to 12000.
After startup, all other parameters are set to their default values, 
which are displayed in the upper right window.
You may alter any of them according to your personal requirements.


Keyboard Commands:

F10:   EXIT PROGRAM  (well, let's hope you won't need that too often :-)

Number Keys 1..8 on main keyboard: 
       QUICK SPEED PRESET in 10-wpm-steps:
       1 stands for 10 wpm, 5 for 50 wpm and so on.

PLUS / MINUS on numerical block:
       SPEED UP / DOWN  in increments of 429 microseconds.
       Maximum speed is limited to 82 wpm, don't hesitate to drop a mail
       if you need a faster one ;-)

B:     BEEP   Toggle PC speaker tone 750 Hz ON/OFF  

L:     LONGER MARKS  compensation adjustment (refer to explanation above)

S:     SHORTER MARKS compensation adjustment 

A:     AUTOMATIC character spacing ON/OFF 

E:     DOT-MEMORY  ON/OFF  

T:     DASH-MEMORY ON/OFF  

D:     DYNAMIC DOT/DASH-memory characteristic: Setting this to "ON" should 
       present a more friendly behaviour of the DOT/DASH-memories if you 
       are using a iambic (twin-lever)-paddle. The memories are cleared 
       whenever a squeeze is detected.
              


Interface:

A schematic can be found in the N6TR contesting program manual.

Here is a short description of a simple interfacing cicuit (PC printer port):

Connect the emitter of a npn general purpose transistor (BC337, 2N2222) 
to pin 1 of a 25-pole printer connector. The base of that transistor goes to 
a 3.3-kOhm resistor, other end of the resistor goes to pin 17 of the 
connector. To prevent RFI, you can bypass emitter and base of the transistor 
with a 4.7-nF ceramic capacitor.
The open collector of the transistor will be able to key a modern transmitter 
with positive keying. Use a shielded cable, with the shield connected to the 
connector case. Two 10-kOhm-Pullup-resistors go from pin 14 to pin 12 and 
pin 13 of the connector, respectively. The keyer paddle inputs are connected 
to pin 12 (DOT) and pin 13 (DASH), put a 100-Ohm series resistor in each line
to be on the safe side. This interface can be built into the standard
D25-connector plastic case. Again, use a shielded cable, with the shield 
connected to the case and paddle center terminal.