microHAM DigiKeyer User manual

microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
DigiKeyer
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 .......................................................................................................................... 5
4. INSTALLATION ................................................................................................................................ 6
Preparing for Use................................................................................................................. 6
Macintosh (OS-X) Installation .............................................................................................. 7
Windows Installation ............................................................................................................ 7
Installing microHAM USB Device Router ......................................................................7
Configuring USB Audio Codec ........................................................................8
Configuring microHAM USB Device Router ................................................................ 9
Creating and Using Virtual Ports ................................................................................ 10
5. microHAM DEVICE ROUTER ........................................................................................................ 11
Menu: Router ..................................................................................................................... 11
Menu: Preset ..................................................................................................................... 12
Menu: Device ..................................................................................................................... 13
Menu: Virtual Port .............................................................................................................. 14
Menu: Help ........................................................................................................................ 15
Device Configuration .......................................................................................................... 15
Ports Tab..................................................................................................................... 16
CAT& 2
nd
CAT ...................................................................................................... 17
FSK & 2
nd
FSK .................................................................................................... 20
CW ....................................................................................................................... 21
PTT & 2
nd
PTT ..................................................................................................... 22
Squelch ................................................................................................................ 22
Control...................................................................................................................22
Keying Tab.................................................................................................................. 23
Audio .................................................................................................................... 23
PTT........................................................................................................................24
FSK from Keyboard .....................................................................................................24
FSK Messages ............................................................................................................24
6. SETTING AUDIO LEVELS ............................................................................................................. 25
7. EXTERNAL KEYBOARD ................................................................................................................ 27
8. PACKAGE CONTENTS .................................................................................................................. 27
9. WARRANTY ................................................................................................................................... 28
10. SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................................................................................... 28
11. SYSTEM CONSIDERATIONS ........................................................................................................ 29
12. HARDWARE SPECIFICATIONS .................................................................................................... 29
13. DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY .............................................................................................. 30
APPENDIX A – CONNECTORS ............................................................................................... 31
APPENDIX B – RFI Considerations ........................................................................................... 32
APPENDIX C – Tracking ........................................................................................................... 33
APPENDIX D – Cables and Bridges .......................................................................................... 34
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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
• bidirectional transformer isolation of audio signals
• optical isolation of ALL digital signals: Radio Control, CW, PTT, FSK
 Internal USB sound capability
• Wide range audio level: works with transceiver levels from 100 mV to 1.5 V
• Extremely low noise floor: as low as 0.7 mV effective
• High dynamic range: 84 dB typical, 82 dB minimum
 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 DIGI 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
 Squelch input for additional software control
 Strong RFI immunity
• integrated chokes and filters for best RFI immunity
• advanced shielding and circuit design for RFI product suppression
 Connections:
• Computer – USB
• Radio - DB15
 Front panel LEDs for easy visual feedback of CW, PTT, SQL, POWER and radio control data
 Front panel adjustable Transmit and Receive audio levels
 USB sound support built-in to the Operating System
• does not require special drivers or limit your choice of applications.
• Supported under Windows, Apple OS 10 and LINUX
 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 DIGI KEYER
before using it for the first time.
If you power DigiKeyer from an external power supply ALWAYS
check the polarity of the external 13.8 V supply.
If your radio includes upgradeable firmware,
DO NOT perform any upgrade through DigiKeyer.
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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
3 - PANEL DESCRIPTION
FRONT PANEL
(1) – POWER
YELLOW color indicates when unit is powered
(2) – TX
Adjusts transmit audio level (drive)
(3) – CW/FSK
RED color indicates when CW is active, GREEN indicates when FSK is active
(4) – SQL
GREEN color indicates when squelch is active
(5) – PTT
RED color indicates when PTT is active
(6) – RX #2
Adjusts receive audio level from the second (sub-, aux-, etc.) receive channel.
(7) – RX #1
Adjusts receive audio level from the main receive channel.
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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
REAR PANEL
All connectors for connecting the computer, radio and accessories are located on the rear panel.
(1) – PA PTT: PTT output for Power Amplifier
Ground during transmit
TIP - Signal
SHELL - Ground
(2) - LNA PTT: Control output for Low Noise Amplifier
Ground during transmit
TIP - Signal
SHELL - Ground
If the jumper is in SS position, open collector switching
transistor is connected to the PAPTT or LNAPTT output jack.
The transistor can switch up to 48V @ .8A. This position is
appropriate for modern Power Amplifiers with electronic
keying and LNA bypass relays .
Check manual of your PA and LNA to be sure the power requirements do not exceed the transistor rating
otherwise set the appropriate jumper to the RE position. This position connects the relay contact to the
output jack. Maximum rating for the relay is:48V AC/DC @ 1A.
NOTE: If you are not sure about keying voltage of your amp on LNA, use the RE position.
(3) - RADIO: DB15F connector for radio interconnection – a detailed description is in Appendix A
(4) - REM: MiniDIN6 for PS/2 keyboard or numeric keypad.
(5) - USB: USB B connector for computer connection. Connect the supplied USB A-B cable.
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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
4 - INSTALLATION
Installing DIGI KEYER consists of several steps:
1) prepare DIGI KEYER to work with your radio
2) install microHAM USB Device Router (the control and interface software)
configure the Windows USB Audio Device
3) configure Router
Preparing DigiKeyer for Use
1. Remove the top cover from the DI I KEYER and set the CAT jumpers as shown in the following chart. The
CAT interface jumpers must be configured to select the proper level 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, 757 XII, 767, 817, 840,
857, 890, 897, 900, 980, 990, 1000, 1000D
CI-V levels:
Icom: all radios except 7700 & 7800 with RS-232
TenTec: all radios with 3.5 mm connector
NOTE: the CAT interface is not configured at the factory.
2. Plug the DB15M on the radio cable set into the DB15 connector on the rear panel of the DIGI
KEYER and plug ALL connectors from the cable set to the appropriate jacks at the rear panel of
your transceiver. Each connector on the radio interface cable is marked same as the matching jack
on your transceiver.
3. If the radio cable ends with leads for external power, connect these leads to a 12-16V DC power
supply.
Be sure to observe the proper polarity.
4. Locate but do not connect the USB cable from DigiKeyer to your computer.
NOTE: If you will be installing on a Windows computer, skip to “MICROSOFT WINDOWS
(Windows 2000, XP, Vista, & Windows 7) INSTALLATION.”
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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 the instructions for your software to configure the application to work with DigiKEYER.
MICROSOFT WINDOWS INSTALLATION
Installing microHAM USB Device Router
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. When the Router installation is completed, plug in
the USB cable when instructed, click "Finish" to
launch Router for the first time and proceed to
configuring Router for your station and software.
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Configuring USB Audio CODEC
Windows will automatically install the USB Audio Device driver to support the USB Audio CODEC in DIGI
KEYER.
Windows automatically selects any newly installed
audio device as the default device for Sound
Playback and Sound Recording. This is
undesirable as Windows Sounds would be played
through DIGI KEYER and onto the air!
Open "Sound" in the Control Panel or right click on
the Speaker Icon on the Taskbar and select
"Playback." Reset the Default Device to Speakers
of your computer's primary sound device.
Select “Recording.” Reset Default Device and
Default Communications Device to an input on the
internal (primary) sound card in your computer.
Double click on “Microphone” USB Audio Codec
device, click on Advanced tab and verify that the
Default Format is set to 2 channel.
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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
Configuring microHAM USB Device Router
The microHAM USB Device Router (Router) program provides a Windows compatible configuration tool for
microHAM USB Devices (DIGI KEYER as well as microKEYER, CW 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 DIGI KEYER with Windows compatible application programs it is necessary to have
installed the USB driver, started the Router, and applied power to DIGI KEYER by turning on the attached
radio or external power supply. Router is then configured to match the requirements of the application
(logger or digital mode) software.
DIGI KEYER Status
When the USB driver is installed correctly and DIGI KEYER
is powered from a radio or external 12V DC supply Router
will show a device tab with a GREEN check beside the
device name (DIGI KEYERI).
When Router shows a YELLOW “X” instead of a green ,
it means the USB driver is correctly installed but DIGI
KEYER is not receiving power from the radio or external
supply.
When Router shows a RED “X” instead of a green , it
means the device is disconnected and Router does not see
the USB part of DIGI 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 DIGI KEYER for proper
operation. The device configuration tab (in the red
rectangle) is used to setup each part of the DIGI KEYER
– virtual ports for communicating with the application
(Ports), audio levels, PTT and keyboard FSK (Keying),
and stored FSK messages (FSK Messages).
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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
Creating and Using Virtual Serial Ports
microHAM Router provides a set of virtual serial ports which allow Windows applications (loggers and digital
software) to work with DIGI 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, FSK, 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 you start 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 Control key on keyboard and clicking on the COM
port numbers.
TIP: If you have uninstalled 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 the virtual ports at once.
Select "Virtual Port | Delete All" and create the ports again.
Any missing port number should appear.
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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
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: DigiKEYER 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 DigiKeyer -
Customizable band edge boundaries used to drive the band data output. BCD codes can be
customized for driving antenna switches or bandpass filter control.
Options | Digital Band Map: - Does not apply to DigiKeyer -
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:
- 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: - DVK not supported by DigiKeyer -
- 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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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
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
DigiKeyer 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 DigiKEYER 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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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
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 the first time Router
detects a supported device (USB driver). Once detected, a
device remains in Router even though device is
disconnected. Each device is identified by product
identification number and 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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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
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.
Upload Firmware: microHAM will occasionally release updates to the firmware in DigiKeyer. 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 DigiKeyer 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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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
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 DIGI KEYER. Each tab controls a part of DIGI KEYER's functions.
Any change to the first two (2) tabs are applied immediately to DIGI 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 DIGI KEYER for
use by applications.
Keying - used to configure timing of the PTT signal,
operation of the FSK keyboard and the audio
processor.
Messages – used to store FSK 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 then in the application (e.g., logging program, MMTTY, STREAM, etc.).
Proper configuration of the port assignments in this tab is critical for integration with loggers. Read
the following information carefully.
DigiKeyer has nine 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)
● FSK (uses TxD and optionally RTS/DTR for PTT)
● 2
nd
FSK (uses TxD and optionally RTS/DTR for PTT)
● CW (uses DTR or RTS)
● PTT (uses DTR or RTS)
● 2
nd
PTT (uses DTR or RTS)
● Squelch (uses CTS, DCD, DSR or RING)
● Control (uses RxD and TxD)
General note: Do not assign virtual ports to those functions which are not used by the application. It is
unnecessary and only consumes resources.
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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
CAT PORT & 2
nd
CAT PORT
The CAT channel is used by application software to control transceiver frequency, mode, T/R switching and
many other parameters using a serial (CAT) protocol. Most modern radios implement some form of CAT but
almost every radio implementation is different. The functions controlled by the computer depend on the
particular application and radio.
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
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 Radio
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 to support the
automatic switching functions of DigiKEYER. If it is necessary to disable all polling, select one of
the "none" options in the Radio box.
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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
WARNING: DO NOT select "Disable Router queries" unless you have a specific reason to do so. Router
only polls for information that is not requested by the logger and does not interfere with logger polling.
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 "Transceive"
broadcast to keep the PW1 synchronized.
NOTE: Check this box if you have an IC-PW1 or other Icom compatible accessory physically
connected (in parallel with the transceiver). Do not check this box if the only connection is to
the transceiver and the PW1 or other other accessory is connected to the accessory CI-V PA
port (described later).
Tracking:
Tracking: This function allows an external receiver to track the transceiver attached to
DigiKeyer.
NOTE: For specific information, please refer to Appendix C..
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.
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microHAM © 2016 All rights reserved
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
FSK & 2
nd
FSK PORTS
The FSK channel is used by the application program to send the FSK keying signal. FSK is used primarily for
RTTY. It is very important to understand the difference between FSK and AFSK.
FSK is a digital (On/Off) signal from the computer serial port (or an external modem). This signal is used in the
transceiver to generate a frequency shift. FSK must be supported by the transceiver (this mode is commonly
labeled RTTY or FSK).
AFSK is a analog (audio) signal generated by the computer sound card (or external modem) used in the
transceiver modulation circuits for operating digital modes as RTTY, PSK31, AMTOR etc. Computer sound card
generated AFSK or PSK does not require special transceiver support and can be used in the LSB, USB or FM
mode of the transceiver. Some radios have dedicated modes for AFSK (generally labeled PKT or DATA) with
special features.
It is very important to properly adjust the audio drive level of an AFSK system so as to not overdrive
the first transmit audio amplifier stage in the transceiver and produce a wide, distorted signal, full of
intermodulation products. It is important to appreciate that distortion generated at this point due to
overdrive CANNOT be reduced or eliminated by the reduction of the microphone gain control – it is
the signal level that must be adjusted to be about the same as would be expected from a
microphone. The microphone gain control then becomes a form of transmit power control.
An initial indication of proper audio drive level can be seen on the ALC meter of the radio. Provided
that there is NO audio processing in circuit and that the microphone gain control is in its normal
operating position, then, if the ALC does not show or just starts to indicate during transmission, the
signal is likely to be clean. It is also important is to turn off the microphone compressor, ANY transmit
audio equalizer, AND transmit DSP when AFSK is used. DO NOT use any form of digital
modulation (sometimes called "Transmit DSP") with AFSK or PSK. Some transceivers bypass these
circuits automatically when signal is routed to the rear audio jack instead of the microphone jack, but
some do not (for example, the TS-850).
Edited by Geoff Anderson, G3NPA
If your transceiver supports FSK, use FSK for RTTY whenever possible. It's the only sure way to get a
clean RTTY signal no matter the microphone gain or compressor (processor) settings on your radio.
When a COM port is assigned in Router but not in the application program (or the application is not running),
Router will indicate the channel is closed.
When an application opens the COM port, Router
will indicate the channel is open and display baud
rate, number of data bits, parity and number of stop
bits in use. For example, 45 5N1.5 means: 45
Baud, 5 data bits, no parity, 1.5 stop bits.
The second FSK port is useful when operating split with radios that have two receivers (e.g., FT-1000, FT-2000,
FT-9000, K3, Orion or IC-7800). The second instance of the RTTY program should specify "right channel" for its
audio source and should be configured to use the 2
nd
FSK port for its FSK output.
Radios without a second receiver can use the 2
nd
FSK port for a second RTTY program with a different decoding
algorithm to provide diversity decoding and transmit from either program.
TIP: If you see a baud rate other than 45.5 baud (e.g., 4800 or 9600), the application is NOT configured
correctly for FSK RTTY operation.
PTT: The virtual port used for FSK can also support PTT (required by MMTTY). When you use MMTTY,
select the PTT box and RTS will used for PTT. Do not use the FSK port for any other function.
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