microHAM CW KEYER User manual

microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
CW KEYER
microHAM
fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
homepage: www.microham.com
Version 8.0
1 March 2016
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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
1. FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS .......................................................................................... 3
2. IMPORTANT WARNINGS ................................................................................................. 3
3. PANEL DESCRIPTION ...................................................................................................... 4
Front Panel ................................................................................................................... 4
Rear Panel ....................................................................................................................4
4. INSTALLATION ................................................................................................................. 6
Preparing for Use.......................................................................................................... 6
Macintosh (OS-X) Installation ....................................................................................... 7
Windows Installation..................................................................................................... 7
Installing microHAM USB Device Router .................................................................8
Configuring microHAM USB Device Router ........................................................... 8
Creating/Using Virtual Ports..................................................................................... 9
5. microHAM DEVICE ROUTER ......................................................................................... 10
Menu: Router ................................................................................................................... 10
Menu: Preset .................................................................................................................... 11
Menu: Device ................................................................................................................... 12
Menu: Virtual Port ............................................................................................................. 13
Menu: Help ....................................................................................................................... 14
Device Configuration Tabs ............................................................................................... 14
Ports Tab ................................................................................................................... 14
Ports: CAT & 2
nd
CAT .......................................................................................... 16
Ports: CW ............................................................................................................. 18
Ports: PTT ............................................................................................................ 18
Ports: WinKey ....................................................................................................... 19
Ports: Control ........................................................................................................ 19
CW & WinKey Tab ..................................................................................................... 20
CW/WinKey: WinKey Settings ................................................................................... 20
CW/WinKey: CW Keyboard ...................................................................................21
CW/WinKey: Auto Numbering .............................................................................. 21
CW Messages .............................................................................................................22
6. EXTERNAL KEYBOARD ................................................................................................. 23
7. PACKAGE CONTENTS ................................................................................................... 24
8. WARRANTY ..................................................................................................................... 24
SYSTEM CONSIDERATIONS ............................................................................................... 25
HARDWARE SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................................................... 25
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY ..................................................................................... 26
APPENDIX A – RFI CONSIDERATIONS ......................................................................... 27
APPENDIX B – TRACKING ............................................................................................. 28
APPENDIX C – CABLES AND BRIDGES ....................................................................... 29
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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
1 - FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS
 No Serial or Parallel port necessary, just one USB port
 Complete "Computer <-> Radio" isolation
• optical isolation of ALL digital signals -> Radio Control, CW, & PTT
 Compatible with all MS Windows based logging or control software
• the special microHAM "USB Device Router" program creates virtual COM ports for full operation with
standard Windows applications.
• customizable presets allow instantly changing CW Keyer parameters to match the program currently in use
 Integrated computer control port for all radios CI-V, FIF-232, IF-232, RS-232
• fully supports Icom, Kenwood, TenTec, Yaesu and other radios
• no separate level converter required
 Integrated K1EL WinKey™ chip with extended capabilities for superior CW
- front panel speed knob
- nine (9) user programmable memories
- PS/2 keyboard support for CW transmission
- PS/2 keyboard/keypad support for message playback and control
- PS/2 keyboard or keypad CW works without computer connection
- precisely timed auto PTT
- selectable side tone
- all parameters are stored in nonvolatile memory and reloaded on power up
 Strong RFI immunity
• integrated chokes and filters for best RFI immunity
• advanced shielding and circuit design for RFI product suppression
 Connections:
• Computer: USB
• Radio: CAT – 1/8,” Paddle – 1/4”, CW Out – RCA, PTT – RCA
• Power: 2.1 mm coaxial
• Remote: PS/2 - MiniDIN6
 Front panel LEDs for indication of CW, PTT, & POWER status
 Metal/Aluminum case, powder coated and silk screened
 Free, no time limit, on-line firmware/software upgrades
2 - IMPORTANT WARNINGS
You must set the CAT level jumpers inside the CW Keyer
before using it for the first time.
ALWAYS check the polarity of the external 13.8 V supply.
If your radio includes upgradeable firmware,
DO NOT perform any upgrade through CW Keyer.
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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
3 - PANEL DESCRIPTION
Front Panel
(1) – POWER LED
YELLOW color indicates when CW Keyer
is turned on
(2) – SPEED
CW Keyer Speed. Range (MIN, MAX) is
defined by software
(3) – CW LED
RED color indicates when CW keying line
is active
(4) – PTT LED
RED color indicates when PTT is active
Rear Panel
All connections for the computer, radio and accessories are located on the rear panel.
(1) – POWER
Standard 2.1mm DC power jack.
TIP (center) is positive
(2) – CAT
3.5mm (1/8”) jack for radio control
TIP - TX data
RING – RX data
SLEVE - GND
(3) - PTT
RCA jack for PTT keying output
TIP - Signal
SHELL - GND
Output is an open collector transistor capable of
switching up to 28V/0.5A.
NOTE: Starting with serial number 260, CW Keyer includes a jumper
that allows the PTT output to be used for transceiver PTT or PA PTT.
The default setting is transceiver PTT. For PA PTT open the cover and
move J9 to the left..
TIP: If CW KEYER is used in a multi-mode environment (CW,
Voice and Digital), connect the PA PTT signal in parallel with the
transceiver amplifier keying line.
IMPORTANT WARNING: DO NOT connect PTT to an amplifier with high voltage or
negative voltage keying.
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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
(4) – REMOTE
MiniDIN6 for a PS/2 keyboard or keypad.
(5) – USB: USB B connector for computer connection. Connect a standard USB A-B cable.
(6) – POWER SWITCH
(7) – PADDLE
6.3mm (1/4") stereo female for paddle input.
TIP - DIT
RING - DAH
SHELL - GND
NOTE: The paddle sense can be reversed using Router settings
(8) – CW
RCA jack for CW keying output
TIP - Signal
SHELL - GND
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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
4 - INSTALLATION
Installing CW Keyer consists of several steps:
1) preparing CW Keyer to work with your radio
2) Install the necessary driver software for your operating system.
3) Configure the driver and/or application software for your specific system
4) configuring Router
Preparing CW Keyer for Use
1. Remove the top cover from the CW Keyer and set the CAT jumpers as shown in the fo owing chart. The
CAT interface jumpers must be configured to se ect the proper eve for each radio type.
RS-232 levels:
All transceivers with RS-232 CAT ports.
IF-232 levels:
Kenwood: TS-140, 440, 450, 680, 690, 711, 790,
811, 850, 940, 950
FIF-232 levels:
Yaesu FT-100, 736, 747, 757GXII, 767, 817, 840,
857, 890, 897, 900, 980, 990, 1000, 1000D
CI-V levels:
All Icom radios. All TenTec rigs with 3.5mm jack
NOTE: the CAT interface is not configured at the factory.
2. Connect the 3.5 mm stereo plug the on the CAT cable to the CAT jack on the rear of CW Keyer and
connect the other end to the appropriate jack on your transceiver.
3. Connect the appropriate user supplied cable from the CW jack on the rear of CW Keyer to the "Key"
jack on your transceiver.
4. (Optional) Connect the appropriate user supplied cable from the PTT jack on CW Keyer to the Key
input of your amplifier or the PTT/Footswitch input on your transceiver.
5. Connect +13.5 volts from a user power supply to the "power" jack on CW Keyer.
WARNING: Be sure to observe the proper polarity – the center pin of the 2.1 mm jack is +.
6. Locate but do not connect the USB cable to CW Keyer and your computer.
7. If you will be installing on a Windows computer, skip to “Installing microHAM USB Router”
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IF232
CI-V
FIF232
RS232

microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
Mac OS X INSTALLATION
1. Insert the microHAM CD in your
CDROM/DVD drive and navigate to
Drivers/OS-X or use your web browser to go
to http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
and down load the latest driver image for
OS-X.
2. Open FTDIUSBSerialDriver_v2_2_18.dmg
by clicking on it.
3. For OS-X 10.4, 10.5 or 10.6 open
FTDIUSBSerialDriver_10_4_10_5_10_6
and follow the instructions to install.
4. Plug in the USB cable
5. Turn on the radio or external power supply.
6. Follow your software developer's instructions to configure their application to work with USB
Interface III.
MICROSOFT WINDOWS INSTALLATION
Installing microHAM USB Device Router
To install Router click on the Install USB Device
Router link on the installation CD or download the
most recent installation package from the web site:
www.microHAM.com/downloads.html.
If you download an updated package, right click on
"urouter_release_xx_xx.exe" (xx_xx is version) and
choose “Run as administrator” to start installation.
The Windows setup utility will start and ask into
which folder Router and its supporting files should
be installed. Note: unless you have a very strong
reason to install Router elsewhere, please accept
the default location.
When the Router installation is completed, click "Finish" to launch Router for the first time. Then
plug in the USB cable and proceed to configuring Router for your station and software.
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Configuring the microHAM USB Device Router
The microHAM USB Device Router (Router) program provides a Windows compatible configuration tool for
microHAM USB Devices (CW KEYER as well as microKEYER, DIGI KEYER and USB Interfaces)and
software interface to other Windows applications (loggers, digital mode software, etc.). The software
interface is provided as Virtual Serial Ports.
To configure and use CW KEYER with Windows based application programs it is necessary to have
installed the USB driver, started the Router, and applied power to CW KEYER. Router is then configured to
match the requirements of the application (logging) software.
CW Keyer Status
When the USB driver is installed correctly and CW Keyer
is turned on, Router will show a device tab with a GREEN
check beside the device name (CW Keyer).
When Router shows a YELLOW “X” instead of a green ,
it means the USB driver is correctly installed but CWKeyer
is not turned on, power is disconnected or the processor is
not communicating with Router .
When Router shows a RED “X” instead of a green , it
means the device is disconnected or Router does not see
the USB part of CW Keyer.
This happens when the USB cable is unplugged or the
USB driver is not correctly installed.
Initial Setup
Router must be used to configure CW Keyer for proper
operation. The device configuration tab (in the red
rectangle) is used to setup each part of the CW Keyer –
virtual ports for communicating with the application (Ports),
WinKey keyboard CW (keying), and stored CW messages
(CW Messages).
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Creating and Using Virtual Serial Ports
microHAM Router provides a set of virtual serial ports which allow Windows applications (loggers) to work
with CW Keyer just as they would work with "real" (hardware) serial ports.
In order to use these virtual Ports, you must first create the ports and then assign a function (radio control,
PTT, CW, WinKey, etc.) to each virtual port.
DO NOT define a port that is already in use (for example, COM1 or COM2 which are hardware ports on
many motherboards) or a virtual port used by another USB device. Even though Router will not allow using
a COM port number which is already present in the system (like hardware COM ports or internal modems),
sometimes these ports are hidden. If a device which also uses virtual serial ports (external USB devices,
bluetooth devices, mobile phones, PDA etc ...) is not connected to the computer when creating virtual ports
in Router, the ports can overlap and will not work properly when you connect such device.
IMPORTANT WARNING: Before creating virtual COM ports, attach all external devices you use with
the computer and allow them to connect to the system. Restart Router and then create the
virtual COM ports.
Virtual ports are created from the Virtual Port menu.
Create - Creates virtual COM ports. It is possible to
select more than one port at a time by holding the
Ctrl key on keyboard and clicking on COM port
numbers. Creating virtual ports may take a long time
(several tens of seconds), be patient.
Delete - Deletes any single virtual port.
Delete All - Deletes all previously created virtual ports.
Do not delete a virtual port until all applications using that port have been closed.
TIP: It is possible to select multiple ports at one time by
holding Ctrl key on keyboard and clicking on the COM port
numbers.
TIP: If you have removed another device which used virtual
ports and Router does not offer the released COM port
number you will need to reset the virtual port bus. You can
do this by deleting all virtual ports in Router at once. Select
"Virtual Port | Delete All" then create the ports again. Any
missing COM port number should appear.
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5 - microHAM USB DEVICE ROUTER
ROUTER MENU
Default Router Settings: used to completely reset Router to factory (default) settings.
"Default" removes all device tabs and deletes all stored configuration data, including all user presets,
from the Windows Registry.
TIP: CW KEYER can be reset to the factory configuration by selecting Default Router Settings
followed by Device | Store as Power-up Settings to save the defaults to the keyer's memory.
Restore Router Settings: used to restore settings from a urs file created by the backup command.
A urs file can be used only with the device for which it was generated (the file contains the unit serial
number) on a computer with same port assignments.
WARNING: Restoring a backup replaces all current Router settings including presets, use it carefully!
Backup Router Settings: used to create backup urs file.
This file contains Router settings (including Presets) for all devices defined in Router.
Options | General
- Load Router on Start-up: when checked, Router will start automatically each time the computer is
started or rebooted.
- Start Router Minimized: when checked, Router will started minimized
Options | Band Map: - Does not apply to CW Keyer -
Customizable band edge boundaries used to drive the band data output. BCD codes can be
customized for driving antenna switches or bandpass filter control. This setting is not used with
CW Keyer.
Options | Digital Band Map: - Does not apply to CW Keyer -
Customizable band boundaries for the digital mode operation. These settings are used for the (optional)
automatic selection of audio switching and PTT mode based on operating frequency. Careful selection
of the "Digital band" is necessary for transceivers which do not have a special mode for AFSK operation
or do not report the mode in the computer command set. This primarily effects Kenwood and TenTec
transceivers although it applies to some older Icom and Yaesu radios.
Options | Audio Devices: - Does not apply to CW Keyer -
- Don't use audio devices: when checked, Router does not use audio devices and the settings on the
Audio Mixer and DVK tabs have no effect.
- Manually assign audio devices: when checked, Router will allow the user to select audio devices (sound
card) in the appropriate fields at Audio Mixer tab and will actively control the audio devices
- Automatically assign microHAM audio devices: when checked, Router will automatically assign proper
audio device of the same name if multiple microHAM interfaces of the same kind are connected to the
one computer.
Options | DVK: - Does not apply to CW Keyer -
- Voice message time limit: maximum time for each voice message up to 120 seconds.
- Sample rate: sampling frequency used during recording and playback of voice messages.
- Sample size: sampling size used during recording of voice messages. Sampling size primarily effects
audio quality of the messages. 16bit samples provide higher quality than 8bit.
Options | USB:
- Noise immunity: selects how many times an undelivered USB packet will be repeated before the USB
device is disconnected from the operating system.
- Response time: selects how long the USB chip in a device will wait for additional data before sending
data to the operating system.
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Minimize: Clicking this will minimize Router to the
system tray at the bottom right corner of the
Windows Taskbar (the "System Notification
Area"). .
TIP: When Router is minimized you can restore it by double-clicking on the Router tray icon. You can
also restore Router by double-clicking on the Router icon on the desktop or restarting Router from the
Programs menu.
Exit: Clicking on this item will terminate Router.
NOTE: when Router is terminated, application software will be unable to communicate with CW Keyer
and the radio.
PRESET MENU
The requirements of each program are different and each one may handle radio control, CW and PTT in its own
way. In some cases what works for one application may not work properly with another. To get maximum
performance from CW Keyer, you may wish to customize the settings for each application.
For easy switching among applications, Router supports up to 12 user
definable Presets. Different configurations can be stored in these
presets and recalled almost instantly simply by clicking on the preset
button.
Each preset contains the settings for all devices connected to, and
controlled by, Router. For example, if Router controls a microKEYER,
a CW Keyer and a USB Interface, each preset remembers the settings
for all devices including the assignment of COM ports and the contents
of all sub-tabs except the FSK/CW Messages and DVK tabs.
NOTE: Presets for various loggers are not available until they have
been saved by the user using Preset | Save as. For setup instructions
for various loggers refer to Setup Guide documents available in Router
Help menu (Use Help | Download Documents first if Help | Setup
Guides are not available or incomplete).
There are three ways to apply a preset once it is created:
1. Click on Preset and select the desired preset from the pull-down
menu.
2. Click on a preset button. To have buttons visible in Router, Preset |
Show Buttons must be checked. When the settings from a preset
are applied, a green light located in the preset button is lit. This
green light is on ONLY when all settings in Router are same as
those stored in the preset.
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3. By right clicking on the system tray icon when the Router is minimized.
The presets and the current router configuration are stored to the registry when
Router is closed and recalled when Router is loaded.
Save as - Saves the current Router settings to a preset for future use.
Rename - Allows renaming of an existing preset.
Delete - Delete chosen preset.
Show buttons - When checked, Router shows the preset buttons.
DEVICE MENU
Router can control several devices. This allows configuring the settings for all connected devices at one
time by using the Presets.
Each device has its own tab (page) in the main Router
notebook. The content of a device tab depends on
device type. Adding a device is automatic when Router
detects a new device. Once detected, a device remains
in Router even though device is disconnected. Each
device is identified by a unique serial string.
Rename – Creates a custom device name. This is
useful if two or more devices are connected to the
Router. For example CW KEYER, micro Keyer and USB
Interface II can be renamed to more identifiable names
as shown here.
Delete - Removes a device from the Router. Only
disconnected devices with a RED “X” on device tab can be
removed. To disconnect a device from Router, unplug the
USB cable from the computer or device.
Save Template - will save the current Router settings to template file.
When clicked, Router will open a standard File Save dialog window – the default location is
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\microHAM\cfg. If a hypertext (html) or plain
text (txt) documentation file of the same name as the template is present in the same directory, it will
be associated with the template.
Load Template – will automatically configure Router from a template (*.tpl file).
When clicked, Router will open a standard File dialog – the default location is: C:\Documents and
Settings\All Users\Application Data\microHAM\cfg - and the desired template can be chosen. When
Router loads a template, it looks for an html or txt file with the same name as the template in the
same directory. If such file is found, it is displayed.
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TIP: Templates are a powerful tool for quickly configuring Router to work with a particular application.
Template files are interchangeable between computers and are well suited for cloning setups when
using the same application in multi-computer stations or for sharing custom setups between users.
Store as Power-Up Settings: - will store the WinKey and PTT settings to CW Keyer's EEPROM. If CW Keyer
is operated without connection to the computer it will use the settings stored in EEPROM. If CW Keyer is
connected to a computer running microHAM USB Device Router, Router's settings will be used but
default settings will be retained in EEPROM.
Upload Firmware: microHAM will occasionally release updates to the firmware in CW Keyer. The update may
support news feature in Router or improve application compatibility. The recent public version of the
firmware is always available from www.microHAM.com/downloads.html.
To update firmware, download the firmware file to your computer, then click on Device | Upload
Firmware. A Windows file dialog will open; navigate to the directory into which you downloaded the
firmware file and select the file.
TIP: When you upgrade Router, the upgrade will include the latest firmware file. The new firmware will
be automatically uploaded to CW Keyer when the new version of Router connects for the first time, you
have just to allow the upgrade when prompted.
VIRTUAL PORT MENU
It is necessary to create several virtual serial ports (COM ports) in order for a Windows application (logging,
control or digital mode program) to access microHAM devices.
Create - Creates virtual COM ports. It is possible to
select several ports at one time by holding the Ctrl key
on the keyboard and clicking on COM port numbers.
Creating a virtual port may take a while, be patient.
Delete - Deletes any single virtual port.
Delete All - Deletes all previously created virtual ports
and resets Virtual Serial Port bus.
Do not delete a virtual port unless all applications
using that port have been closed.
Virtual Serial Ports can be reviewed in Device
Manager, under the ELTIMA folder.
NOTE: Properly working ports should not display
an exclamation mark (!).
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HELP MENU
Manuals: Link to microHAM manuals located on your system.
Setup Guides: Link to software configuration guides for many common applications.
Cable Schematics: Link to cable diagrams.
Download Documents: Downloads microHAM documentation including updated manuals and setup
guides. You may specify the products for which you want documentation.
NOTE: Requires an Internet connection.
microHAM Home Page: Link to www.microHAM.com
microHAM Downloads Page: Link to www.microham.com/contents/en-us/d29.html
Show Tooltips: When checked, small, single line help is displayed below the mouse cursor.
Update Router: Download and install the most recent version of Router.
About: Shows the Router's internal version number
Change logs: Shows the Router and firmware changes.
DEVICE CONFIGURATION TABS
There are three (3) tabs for configuring CW Keyer. Any change to the first two (2) tabs are applied
immediately to CW KEYER. Changes in Messages are NOT applied automatically. To store them use
buttons Store or Store All.
Ports - used to assign virtual ports to the CW Keyer for
use by applications.
CW/WinKey - used to configure the operating parameters
of the internal WinKey keyer IC.
CW Messages – used to configure stored CW messages.
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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
PORTS TAB
Once the virtual ports have been created they must be associated with a specific device channel (e.g.,
Control, CW, PTT, etc.). These assignments should correspond to settings of the application software and
must be configured first in Router and then in the application (e.g., logging program).
Proper configuration of the port assignments in this tab is most important for integration with
loggers. Read the following information carefully.
CW KEYER has five functions with indication of the state and settings applied by the host application
● CAT (uses RxD and TxD)
● 2
nd
CAT (virtual “fork” for the main CAT channel)
● CW (uses DTR or RTS)
● PTT (uses DTR or RTS)
● WinKey (uses TxD, and RxD – cannot shared a port with any other function)
● Control (uses TxD and RxD)
General note: Most applications will support only one method of CW output at a time. If the application
uses WinKey, the CW port should be "none" and vice versa.
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CAT PORT & 2
nd
CAT PORT
The CAT channel is used by the application software to control transceiver frequency, mode, T/R switching and
many other parameters. The application communicates with the radio using a serial protocol. Although most
modern radios implement some form of serial control, nearly every radio implementation is different. The degree
of control available for each radio depends on that radio and the application (logger or digital program).
NOTE: The port number assigned in Router MUST match the port number assigned in the host
application. First configure the virtual COM ports in Router then configure the application.
When a COM port is assigned in the Router but not in
the application (or the application is not running) Router
will indicate the channel is closed.
When an application opens the COM port assigned for control (usually at start-up), Router shows the channel as
open and displays baud rate, data bits, parity and number of stop bits used by the application. For example,
4800 8N2 means: 4800 baud, 8 bits data length, parity = none, and two stop bits.
Data flowing through the CAT channel is indicated by two arrows. A green arrow indicates data flow from the
host application to the radio and a red arrow indicates data flow from the radio to the application.
TIP: If the application provides for PTT (T/R) keying by radio control (CAT) turn this function OFF. PTT
by CAT is not reliable because RFI can prevent the radio from switching back to receive. There is a
dedicated T/R switching channel for this purpose called PTT.
NOTE: If your radio does not support handshake (most do not). Configure DTR and RTS settings in your
application program (logger) for Always On or Always Off. Do not select “Handshake.”
For Router to determine the operating frequency and mode, it must know what radio (CAT protocol) being used.
To select the radio, click the Set button, choose your radio in the Radio combo box, select communication speed
in the Baud rate box, and set the CI-V address for Icom and some TenTec radios.
TIP: Disable the Autobaud function in any Icom transceiver used with Router. Configure the radio,
Router, and your application software to operate at 9600 or 19200 baud.
Disable router queries – When this box checked, Router will not poll the radio for frequency and mode when
that information is not available from the communication between the application and radio.
NOTE: "Disable router queries" disables Router polling only when the port has been opened by an
application program. When the virtual port is closed Router always polls the radio. If it is
necessary to disable all polling, select one of the "none" options in the Radio box.
WARNING: DO NOT select "Disable Router queries" unless you have a specific reason to do
so. Router does not interfere with logger polling and only polls for information that is not requested
by the logger. Disabling Router queries may result in incorrect frequency and/or mode decoding
and can have a serious impact on overall operation.
PW1 on radio bus – When this box checked, Router periodically generates an Icom "CI-V Transceive"
broadcast to keep the PW1 synchronized.
NOTE: Check this box only if you have an IC-PW1 or other Icom compatible accessory physically
connected in parallel with the transceiver.
Tracking: This function allows an external receiver to track the transceiver attached to CW Keyer.
NOTE: For specific information, please refer to Appendix C.
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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
The bottom two-thirds of the Radio window is a serial communication monitor. The monitor uses colors and tags
to indicate which device is responsible for the data. Black queries (H1-TX or H2-TX) and grey radio responses
(H1-RX or H2-TX) are from the "host" application (e.g., logger), H1 indicates the host application on the main
CAT port, H2 is the host application on the 2
nd
CAT port. Green packets (R-TX and R-RX) are polls/responses
from/to Router and not routed to the application.
Router monitors the communication when the host application performs control and polls the radio periodically
for any missing information (VFO frequencies and mode). Because some applications do not poll the radio
regularly or completely, Router must break this communication to update its internal state. In order to avoid
confusing the application when Router polls the radio, data from the application is buffered and sent to the radio
after Router receives a response to its query. If Router does not receive response to a poll within the time
allowed or does not understand the response, it displays "oldest query discarded" but forwards all data to the
virtual serial port to avoid confusing the application (logger).
Since USB transmits data in frames with a delay between frames, Router indicates frame boundaries with three
dots (...). When a packet ends with three dots it means that the data continues in the next frame.
2
nd
CAT PORT
Beginning with version 7.0, Router provides unique control capability: the 2
nd
CAT Port is an intelligent data fork
(software 'Y' connector) that allows a second application to share control of the radio. Router monitors when
data is sent from each application and routes the radio's responses to the correct virtual port.
IMPORTANT: Both applications must use same communication parameters (baud rate, data length, parity and
number of stopbits) for proper operation!
Neither CAT port has priority. Polls/commands from the application are processed alternately. In order to avoid
collisions and confusion due to unexpected data, responses from the radio are returned only to the application
that generated the command. Unsolicited data such as automatic frequency/mode updates (Icom "transceive"
packets or "Auto-information" data from Kenwood, Elecraft and recent Yaesu transceivers) is forwarded to both
CAT ports.
Due to physical limitation of data channel throughput and the controller capabilities in various transceivers,
there are several important rules which must be observed.
● Combined data from both applications must not exceed maximum throughput of the radio control port
and transceiver controller. In other words, the polling rate from one application may need to be
decreased to provide data space for the second application and vice versa.
● Applications must be tolerant of delayed responses from the radio. Each application must wait for the
radio to respond when the another application is communicating with the radio.
● Due to protocol deficiencies in handling VFO split commands with many transceivers (particularly
Icom), split mode must be initiated and ended by only one application and manual split control (from the
front panel of the radio) should not be used.
NOTE: Despite extensive testing using various combinations of applications for the CAT and 2
nd
CAT
ports, microHAM cannot guarantee proper operation with every potential combination of applications.
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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
CW PORT
By its very nature, USB is not well suited to transfer the real time events required for CW keying. In addition to
the latency inherent in the USB protocol, delays due to CPU load, internal Windows message processing (inter-
process communication) and data flow from another peripherals sharing same the USB root hub can result in
transmitted characters that are garbled. To minimize these unwanted operating system effects Router uses a
specially developed oversampling and prediction algorithm to assure the smoothest possible transfer of control
signal events over USB. Using these techniques, CW keying in the Router is, in most cases, usable up to 50
WPM if the application generates keying signals accurately and does not consume 100% of CPU time at the
highest priority class.
Router allows assigning a virtual port for software CW using DTR or RTS signals. DTR* and RTS* are identical
to DTR/RTS except that the output is inhibited for one second after the COM port is opened. RTS*/DTR* should
only be used with programs that cause unwanted key-ups during startup.
TIP: More applications use DTR for CW than RTS.
When an application opens the COM port (usually at start-up), Router will indicate the channel is open.
The state of the CW channel is indicated by a red arrow.
If port is opened, it does not mean that it is properly
configured. The red arrow will light in time with the
transmitted CW when the port is properly configured.
To test CW operation, click on the Test button with no port assigned or the port closed.
PTT PORT
The PTT channel is used for T/R switching of the transceiver.
Router allows assigning a virtual serial port to the PTT channel and supports PTT via DTR or RTS. DTR* and
RTS* are identical to DTR/RTS except that the output is inhibited for one second after the COM port is opened.
RTS*/DTR* should only be used with programs that cause unwanted key-ups during startup.
TIP: More applications use RTS for PTT than DTR.
When a COM port is assigned in the Router but not in the
application (or the application is not running), Router
shows the channel as closed.
When an application opens the COM port (usually at start-up), Router shows the channel as open.
Activity and the state of PTT channel is indicated by arrow. If port is opened, it does not mean that is properly
configured for PTT keying. The arrow will light during the entire transmission when port is properly configured.
Operation of the PTT outputs is described in chapter 15.3
TIP: Always use serial PTT instead of PTT by CAT. CAT PTT can be unreliable due to RFI and timing
issues.
To test operation of the PTT, click on the Test button with no port assigned or the port closed.
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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
WINKEY PORT
WinKey is a unique external CW processor developed by Steve Elliot, K1EL. This CW processor supports
paddle input like any other electronic keyer, offers many configuration options, and in addition converts ASCII
data from the computer to Morse characters. This unique property assures perfectly timed CW output from the
computer regardless of OS load. More detailed instruction for configuring WinKey is found in the description of
the CW tab.
When a COM port is assigned in Router but not
in the application program (or the application is
not running), Router shows the channel as closed.
TIP: If you see settings other than 1200 8N1 or 1200 8N2, the application is not configured correctly for
WinKey.
Data flow is indicated by two arrows. The green arrow indicates data flow from the application to WinKey and the
red arrow indicates data flow from WinKey to the host application.
To test WinKey, click the Test button with the channel unassigned or closed.
Mon: “WinKey Monitor” allows capturing communications between the application and WinKey. The WinKey
monitor operates the same way as the CAT port monitor.
WinKey Monitor should not be used under normal conditions. However, if there are problems with
WinKey and the controlling application, it may be useful to Start a capture and minimize the window.
When a problem is noticed, the window can be opened and the log Saved for analysis.
WinKey Monitor is circular – only the last 20 kilobytes or so will be saved in order to prevent creating very
large files.
WK Monitor will display a description of each command from Router or the application and “decoded”
response from WinKey. If a line ends in three dots (...) it means that the command or response has been
broken across two USB packets.
CONTROL PORT
The Control Port allows an application program (logger) that implements the microHAM Control (SO2R) Protocol
to use the stored CW messages. This port should normally be set to "none."
The Mon button opens a logging window that permits capture of Protocol data between the application and
Router for later analysis. The buffer captures the last approximately 20K of data. Do not enable logging unless
necessary for debugging purposes as it imposes a minor performance penalty.
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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
CW/WINKEY TAB
This tab provides the configuration for the internal, WinKey based, CW keyer. A complete WinKey manual can
be downloaded from: HTTP://k1el.tripod.com/docfiles.html. Thanks to Steve Elliott, K1EL for this great product.
WinKey can be controlled by a logging program or operate in stand alone mode. Router controls the speed
range, paddle mode and other timing characteristics of Winkey. When an application opens WinKey, all buffer
handling and speed changes are strictly under application control.
When the port is closed, the WinKey operating parameters can be changed from this tab. Every change is
applied immediately.
The WinKey CW output (pin 3) is wired in parallel with the serial CW output.
The WinKey PTT output (pin 5) is connected by a jumper (SO1R/SO2R) to the PTT jack or pin 6 of the REMOTE
jack.
Paddle Mode
● Iambic A (Curtis)
● Iambic B (Accu-keyer)
● Ultimatic (Single lever)
● Bug Keyer
(Vibroplex emulation)
Priority – In Ultimatic mode one
can chose DIT or DAH
priority for dual lever paddles.
If no priority is selected, the
keyer works in a "last paddle
wins" mode.
Paddle set point - controls when WinKey begins looking for a new paddle press after sensing the current one.
The default value is one dit time (50) and is adjustable in percent of a dit time.
Disable paddle memory – When checked, DIT (or DAH) insertion is disabled.
Swap paddles - Reverse paddle sense for left handed operation or improperly wired paddle.
Auto space - Keyer generates automatic character space.
CT space - Selects “contest” word space (six dits long instead of seven).
Speed pot min/max - Min/Max value of the front panel speed knob (9) in range 5 to 99 WPM.
Farnsworth speed – Sets the Farnsworth keying speed (10 to 99 WPM range, 0 disables this feature).
DIT / DAH - DIT/DAH ratio from 1:2 to 1:4 in hundreds. Accepted number are from 200 to 400.
Weighting - Weighting in percentage (from 10 to 90%).
1
st
extension - Extension of the first dit or dah in milliseconds (usable for QSK only).
Keying compensation - Extension of each dit and dah in milliseconds (usable for QSK only).
Allow logger control: - Special setting for diagnostics. Do not use unless instructed to do so by the factory.
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