QRPworks SideKar User manual

SideKar / SideKar Plus User Manual rev 3.2 Page 1 of 84
QRPworks
SideKar™& SideKar Plus™
User Manual

SideKar / SideKar Plus User Manual rev 3.2 Page 2 of 84
Table of Contents
Overview 5
SideKar & SideKar Plus Installation 6
Setup 18
Keyboard Choices 21
Starting Up 22
Using the SideKar Buttons 23
One time button use 26
Displaying Decoded Text 27
Scrolling Back 28
Transmitting Text 31
Immediate Mode 32
Buffered Mode 33
Viewing Characters Sent 34
Entering Characters Without a Keyboard 35
Stored Text Messages 37
Creating or Editing a Message: 37
Naming Text Messages 39
Sending a Stored Text Message 40
Storing and Sending Rig Macros 41
Creating or Editing a Rig Macro: 42
Naming Rig Macros 44
Sending a Rig Macro 45
Call Sign Entered 46
Grab & Go™ 47
Summary of Message Editing Operation: 48
Stored Text Message/Macro Summary 48

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Reserved Message / Macro Characters 49
Summary of Message Summary Operation: 50
Editing Stored Text Messages/Macros 50
Sending a Stored Text Message without a Keyboard 52
Contesting 52
Logging 56
Logging Activities using References 61
LCD Backlight Brightness 65
Quick QSY™ 66
Voltage Check 67
Setting the Date and Time 67
Battery Replacement 68
System Reset 70
Help 70
Compatibility with Other Products 71
Updating the Firmware 74
Technology 74
Support 74
Acknowledgements 74
Troubleshooting Tips 75
Summary of Keyboard Commands 77
Summary of Pushbutton Edit Functions 79
Summary of Keyboard Editor Commands 79
Summary of Logging Commands 79
Firmware Revision History 80
Index 82

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Overview
Thank you for your purchase of the QRPworks SideKar™or
SideKar Plus™.
In this manual, the reference to a SideKar applies to both the
SideKar and SideKar Plus, as they share most features.
Differences in the models will be noted as appropriate. It is
primarily the display size (SideKar is 2 lines 40 characters while
the SideKar Plus is double at 4 lines, 80 characters).
Its purpose is to enhance your operating experience with the
Elecraft KX3 / KX2 / K3 / K3S.
In a nutshell,
It is a message generator, allowing you to send up to 20
messages you have defined, with just a keystroke.
It is a log, with the space for 1000 QSOs
It is an ADIF export tool, allowing you to export your logged
QSOs in an ADIF format.
It is a Summits on the Air (SOTA) log.
It is portable, with a sunlight readable display.
It can operate with or without a USB wired or wireless
keyboard
The SideKar will display the scrolling rig-decoded PSK31,
PSK63, RTTY, or CW text on a 40-character screen, while
the SideKar Plus has an 80-character screen. Both have
the ability to freeze the incoming data and scroll back.
It will allow you to send up to 20 macros to the rig to control
just about every aspect of it.
The SideKar offers the Quick QSY™ feature, allowing you
to change frequency and mode very easily.
The log will automatically be populated with the current
date, time, frequency and mode, so you don’t have to enter
it.
Data entry for logging, creating messages, capturing “their call”
can all be done with or without a keyboard!

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The SideKar provides many features for the portable operator,
whether out on the trail, in a park, on vacation, or at home.
73,
Shel Radin, KF0UR Steve Silverman, KB3SII
SideKar & SideKar Plus Installation
The installation of the SideKar and SideKar Plus is essentially
the same, with the SideKar Plus having a larger case.
When the text refers to the SideKar, it includes the SideKar
Plus as well. This section will be updated shortly with more
pictures.
The latest case design of the SideKar is designed to:
Be mounted on the right side of the KX3
Be mounted on top of the KX2
Sit on a desktop
One SideKar can work with the KX2, KX3 or K3/K3S just by
changing a few simple brackets.
Note that the original SideKar case, designed to mount on the
right side of the KX3, can also mount on top of the KX2, with
the appropriate brackets.
KX3 Installation
For either the original SideKar case with a fixed “mounting
wing” on the left side or the newer universal SideKar and
SideKar Plus case, these first steps are the same.

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The SideKar is designed to mount on the right side of the KX3,
above the antenna BNC connector. .
1. On the right side of the KX3, remove the black flat head
Philips screw in the upper back position, closest to the
A / B button.
2. Install the supplied shoulder screw and clear washer
(already on the screw) in place of the screw removed.
Do not overtighten.
3. Loosen, but do not remove, the thumbscrew for the KX3
right foot. Fold the KX3 foot under the KX3 so it is not
extended.
Install supplied shoulder screw and washer

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Original SideKar Case (with the fixed mounting wing)
4. Position the SideKar so the shoulder screw is in the
round portion of the keyed slot and flat against the KX3.
To start, align the Shoulder Screw in the round opening
SideKar mounting wing and notch

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5. Slide the SideKar down until the notch at the bottom of
the SideKar mounting wing is under the KX3’s
thumbscrew head.
6. Lightly tighten the KX3 thumbscrew, and then swing the
KX3 foot out to further tighten the foot. The SideKar
should now be snug against the side of the KX3.
SideKar mounting tab and notch under the foot thumbscrew
Extend the foot after lightly tightening the thumbscrew

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Universal SideKar Case
4. Install the supplied thumbscrew into the tapped hole on
the back right side of the SideKar.
5. Install the KX3 mounting bracket under the thumbscrew
as shown. Tighten the thumbscrew so the bracket is
snug. The bracket edge should be even with the side of
the SideKar.
Note the bracket is not symmetrical. The longer slot
goes against the SideKar and the shorter slot goes
against the KX3. If it is reversed, the SideKar can slide
down too far and hit the antenna BNC connector.
Thumbscrew installed for the KX3 mount

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6. Position the SideKar so the installed shoulder screw on
the KX3 is in the round portion of the keyed slot and flat
against the KX3.
Shorter slot
Longer slot
SideKar
SideKar Plus

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7. Slide / wiggle the SideKar down until the notch at the
bottom of the SideKar bracket is under the KX3’s
thumbscrew head. If the SideKar hits the BNC
connector, the bracket is installed backwards. Remove
it and put the longer slot against the SideKar.
Align the Shoulder Screw in the round opening

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4. Lightly tighten the KX3 thumbscrew, and then swing the
KX3 foot out to further tighten the foot. The SideKar
should now be snug against the side of the KX3.

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KX2 Installation
The SideKar sits on the top back of the KX2.
1. On the KX2, remove the Elecraft swinging foot and set it
aside for later installation on the SideKar™. Install 2
supplied thumbscrews into the holes in the back of the
KX2, as shown.
2. If not already installed, install 2 supplied thumbscrews
in the bottom 2 holes in the SideKar. (lower right of the
On-Off switch, and lower left of the Rig port.) Install the
2 KX2 brackets under the thumbscrews as shown.
Note that the brackets are not symmetrical. The longer
side goes on the SideKar. The shorter side will be on
the KX2.
Install the swinging foot on one of the SideKar™
brackets, then tighten the thumbscrews.
KX2 Foot removed
Thumbscrews Installed

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3. Slide the 2 brackets on the SideKar under the
thumbscrews on the back of the KX2. Tighten the
thumbscrews.
Short side
against the
KX2
Long side against the SideKar
Long Side against the SideKar

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Desktop Installation
To use the SideKar and SideKar Plus on a desk, without
mounting it on a rig, 2 brackets are installed. The brackets
are the same as the KX3 mounting bracket, except you will
use 2 of them.
1. On the back of the SideKar and SideKar Plus, install 2
supplied thumbscrews. Slide a bracket under each
thumbscrew and hand tighten, as shown. The brackets
are symmetrical and can be installed using either slot.
The SideKar will then rest on the brackets when leaned
back.
Thumbscrews and Brackets Installed
for sitting on a desktop / surface

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Setup
Connections:
KX3/KX2: connect the supplied 3.5 mm (1/8”) stereo
cable from the SideKar Rig port to the KX3 ACC1 or
KX2 ACC connectors. The right angle connectors on
both ends are important to reduce the strain on the
printed circuit boards. Do not connect the radio cable
if the PC cable is in use.
K3:use a DB9-M to 3.5 mm cable (available from
QRPworks) from the K3 RS232 port to the SideKar Rig
port. Do not connect the radio cable if the PC cable
is in use.
K3s: plug the RJ45 to DE9 adapter cable that was
supplied with the K3s into the K3s RS232 port. Use a
DB9-M to 3.5 mm cable (available from QRPworks)
from the DE9 adapter to the SideKar Rig port. Do not
connect the radio cable if the PC cable is in use.
Connect DC 8 V ~15 V power using a 2.1 mm DC
connector or use a 9 volt battery in the optional SideKar
battery holder. For the DC connector, connect the DC
positive voltage to the center pin.
(optional, but recommended) Connect a USB keyboard
to the SideKar. This is used for transmitting and
controlling the rig. A wired or wireless keyboard may be
used. The wireless keyboard must be a 2.4 GHz
wireless keyboard and NOT a Bluetooth keyboard.
Repeat: NOT Bluetooth.
The second 3.5 mm jack, labeled “PC” is used for
transferring log files from the SideKar to the PC and for
loading new software into the SideKar. The Elecraft
KXUSB or KXSER cables should be used between this
serial port and a PC. This port must not be

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connected to a PC if the Radio serial port is
connected to the radio.
KX3/KX2/K3/K3s Settings:
For the SideKar to display transmitted text, the KX3
firmware must be at MCU version 2.19 or later.
Menu: RS232: set to 38400.
Menu: CW Key1 or K3/K3s CW PADL: set at tip-dot or
tip-dash, and not Hand. Plug your paddle directly into
the Key jack on the rig. The rig will only decode
transmitted text if the menu item CW Key 1/CW PADL is
set to tip-dot or tip-dash, and not Hand.
For RTTY or PSK31, set the mode to TX Data, by
tapping the Data/Text button. Using VFO B, select:
oPSK D for PSK31
oFSK D for RTTY.
“TX Data” will be the mode shown on the screen
Text: DEC ON, by holding the Data/Text button.
Power switch (slide left to turn on)

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Refer to the Data Modes section in the rig’s manual
PX3, KXPA100, P3, KPA500, KPA1500 Connections:
The SideKar is always at the end of the serial connections.
Basically, it takes the place of a PC. So it gets connected
where the PC would be connected.
If a PX3 is used and no KXPA100, connect the SideKar
Rig port to the PX3’s ACC1 PC port.
If a KXPA100 amp is used, connect the SideKar Rig
port to the KXPA100’s RS232 (PC) port.
If a K3 / K3S and P3 are used, connect the K3/K3S and
P3 as usual and then connect the SideKar Rig port to
the P3’s PC port using a DB-9 to 3.5 mm adapter cable
(available from QRPworks).
If a KPA500 is used, connect the SideKar’s rig port to
the KPA500’s RS232 (PC) port using a DB-9 to 3.5 mm
adapter cable (available from QRPworks).