QRPworks SideKar Decoder Edition User manual

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QRPworks
SideKar Decoder Edition™
User Manual

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Table of Contents
Overview........................................................................................... 4
SideKar Decoder Edition Installation.............................................. 6
Keyboard Choices...........................................................................23
Starting Up.......................................................................................25
Using the SideKar Decoder Edition Pushbuttons.........................26
The Keyer Inside .............................................................................28
Transmitting....................................................................................31
Creating and Sending Text Messages ............................................35
Creating and Sending Rig Macros .................................................38
Editing Stored Text Messages/Rig Macros....................................43
Summary of Message Editing Operation:......................................44
Stored Text Message/Macro Summary..........................................44
Reserved Message / Macro Characters .........................................46
Sending a Stored Text Message viaPushbuttons ..........................46
Call Sign Entered ............................................................................47
Grab & Go™....................................................................................48
Contesting,......................................................................................49
Logging............................................................................................53
Logging Activities using References.............................................58
Rig Specific Features......................................................................62
A word about CW Decoding...........................................................65

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Scrolling Back.................................................................................66
LCD Backlight Brightness ..............................................................70
Voltage Check .................................................................................70
Setting the Date and Time ..............................................................71
Battery Replacement.......................................................................72
System Reset ..................................................................................74
Help..................................................................................................74
Compatibilitywith Other Products.................................................75
Updating the Firmware ...................................................................78
Technology......................................................................................78
Support............................................................................................78
Acknowledgements.........................................................................78
TroubleshootingTips......................................................................79
Appendix A: QRP Labs Classic QCX CAT Port .............................81
Summary of Keyboard Commands................................................83
Summary of Logging Commands ..................................................85
Firmware Revision History .............................................................86
Index................................................................................................87

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Overview
Thank you for your purchase of the QRPworks SideKar
Decoder Edition.
Its purpose is to enhance your operating experience whether
portable or in your home shack.
It can be used with any rig, but has specific CAT interfaces to the:
•Elecraft KX3 / KX2 / K3 / K3S
•Icom IC-705 (via optionalBluetooth accessory)
•Yaesu FT817 / FT-818 / FT-857 / FT-897
•QRP Labs QCX family of rigs
These interfaces provide rig-specific features that are detailed
later in this manual.
In a nutshell for all rigs,
•It decodes incoming CW using audio from any rig,
typically from the rig’s headphone jack.
•It sends CW to any rig with a straight key mode using a
paddle, typing on a keyboard, or sending user-defined
messages from the keyboard. It allows you to change
the keying mode, speed, paddle dits/dah orientation
easily from a keyboard
•It is a message generator, allowing you to send up to 20
user-defined messages, with just a keystroke.
•It is a log, with space for 1000 QSOs
•The log will automatically be populated with the current
date and time, so you don’t have to enter it.
•It is an ADIF export tool, allowing you to export your logged
QSOs in a standard ADIF format, which can then be
imported into most commercially available logs, or ARRL’s
Logbook of the World
•It is a log for events, such as Summits on the Air (SOTA),
Parks on the Air (POTA), ARRL’s Field Day, etc.
•It is portable, with a sunlight readable display.
•It is a low current device, using little of your battery capacity

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•It can operate with a USB wired or wireless keyboard.
For the CAT-connected Elecraft KX- and K-Lines, Icom IC-
705, Yaesu FT portable lines, and QRP Labs QCX rigs…
•It offers the Quick QSY™feature, allowing you to change
frequency and mode very quickly and easily from a
keyboard
•Frequency and Mode are automatically populated in the log
•For Elecraft and QCX rigs, it will display the scrolling rig-
decoded CW (both), PSK31, PSK63, and RTTY (Elecraft)
text on an 80-character screen, with the ability to freeze
the incoming data and scroll back.
•For the Elecraft, Icom IC-705, and QCX rigs, it will allow
you to send up to 20 rig macros using CAT commands to
the rig to control just about every aspect of it.
The SideKar Decoder Edition 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

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SideKar Decoder Edition Installation
Using optional mounting solutions, the SideKar Decoder Edition is
designed to:
•Be mounted on the right side of the KX3
•Be mounted on top of the KX2
•Sit on a surface (i.e. desktop, rock on a trail) using a
swiveling leg we call a Kickstand
The same SideKar Decoder Edition can be mounted on the
KX2 and KX3 just by changing a few simple brackets.
Elecraft KX3 Installation
The SideKar Decoder Edition 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. A good fit is when the screw starts
to tighten and you feel more resistance.

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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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Thumbscrew installed for the KX3 mount
4. Install the supplied thumbscrew into the tapped hole on
the back right side of the SideKar Decoder Edition.
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 Decoder Edition.
Note the bracket is not symmetrical. The longer slot
goes against the SideKar Decoder Edition and the
shorter slot goes against the KX3. If it is reversed, the
SideKar Decoder Edition can slide down too far and hit
the antenna BNC connector.

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6. Position the SideKar Decoder Edition so the installed
shoulder screw on the KX3 is in the round portion of
the keyed slot and flat against the KX3.
This hole is not used –Do
Not insert a screw in it
Shorter slot
Longer slot

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7. Slide / wiggle the SideKar Decoder Edition down until
the notch at the bottom of the SideKar Decoder Edition
bracket is under the KX3’s thumbscrew head. If the
SideKar Decoder Edition hits the BNC connector, the
bracket is installed backwards. Remove it and put the
longer slot against the SideKar Decoder Edition.
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
Decoder Edition should now be snug against the side of
the KX3.

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ThumbscrewsInstalled
Remove KX2 Foot
Elecraft KX2 Installation
The SideKar Decoder Edition 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 Decoder
Edition. 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 outside 2 holes in the SideKar Decoder
Edition. Install the 2 KX2 brackets under the
thumbscrews as shown.
Note that the brackets are not symmetrical. The longer
side goes on the SideKar Decoder Edition. The shorter
side will be on the KX2.
Install the swinging foot on one of the SideKar Decoder
Edition brackets, then tighten the thumbscrews.

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

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SideKar Extreme shown installed, but the SideKar
Decoder Edition is installed the same way.

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Flat head screw removed. Tall leg
installed with a thumbscrew. Provided
washer goes between the SideKar
Decoder Edition and the leg.
Desktop Installation
To use the SideKar Decoder Edition on a surface without
mounting it on a rig, a swivel leg is recommended. Called a
Kickstand, it’s available at www.QRPworks.com
Remove the small flat head screw at the top center of the
SideKar Decoder Edition. Install the tall leg with a
thumbscrew in its place.

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QRP Labs QCX Family of Rigs Installation
The QCX rigs the SideKar Decoder Edition interfaces to include:
•QCX Classic, revisions 1-5
•QCX+
•QCX Mini
Interfacing the SideKar Decoder Edition with a QCX rig is
done using the double ended right-angle 3.5mm cable
supplied (or equivalent). Plug one end in the QCX CAT port
and the other end in the SideKar Decoder Edition’s “5V
Serial Port” port, located on the right side of the SideKar
Decoder Edition. Do NOT plug it into the RS232 Rig port
on the top of the SideKar Decoder Edition. The QCX CAT
port is 5 volts, not RS232 levels.
The QCX firmware required is version 1.06 and higher.

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Connections to Rigs:
•KX3/KX2: connect the supplied 3.5 mm (1/8”) stereo
cable from the SideKar Decoder Edition “Rig RS232””
port on the top 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
Decoder Edition KX 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 Decoder Edition
KX Rig port. Do not connect the radio cable if the
PC cable is in use.
•Icom IC-705: Interfacing the SideKar Decoder Edition
with a Icom IC-705 is done using a custom Bluetooth rig
interface accessory from QRPworks, which provides
CAT connectivity to the rig.
•Plug a 3.5mm stereo cable between the SideKar
Decoder Edition “Rig –5 Volt Serial Port” on the
right side and the Bluetooth rig interface’s “5
VOLT SERIAL PORT”.
•Apply 8-15 VDC power to the Bluetooth rig
interface.
•On the IC-705,
oGo to Menu / Setup / Bluetooth
oPair with the SideKar
oEnter the passcode 1234 (only needed
to be done once)
•Turn on the SideKar Decoder Edition

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•Yaesu FT rigs: There are 2 ways you can connect a
FT-817/818/857/897 to the SideKar Decoder Edition
1. Use a serial cable from the rig’s ACC port (8 pin
DIN) to the SideKar Decoder Edition’s “5V
Serial Port” port on the right side. This is a
custom cable with no driver electronics inside,
available from QRPworks.
When using the custom cable from the Yaesu
ACC port to the SideKar Decoder Edition “Rig –
5 Volt Serial Port” port on the right side, turn
the SideKar Decoder Edition on FIRST before
plugging in the cable. Once the SideKar
Decoder Edition powers on, it’s OK to plug the
cable in.
Note: Do not connect an RS232 connection
to this 5 volt maximum port, as an RS232
port exceeds 5 volts and will damage the
SideKar Decoder Edition.
2. Use a cable from the rig’s ACC port (8 pin DIN)
to the “RIG RS232” port on the top of the
SideKar Decoder Edition. The Yaesu CT-62
cable with a DB-9 connector (or equivalent)
can be used along with a DB-9 to 3.5 mm
adapter cable (available from QRPworks).
In either case, do not connect the radio cable if
the PC cable is in use.

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To Yaesu rig,
usingthe custom
cable from
QRPworks

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•Connect 8 ~15 VDC power using a 2.5 mm DC
connector or use a 9 volt battery in the optional battery
holder. For the DC connector, connect the DC positive
voltage to the center pin.
•Connect a USB keyboard to the SideKar Decoder
Edition KYB port on the right. 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. Plug the wireless
receiver dongle supplied with the keyboard into the
KBD port.
•The microUSB jack labeled “PC” is used for transferring
log files from the SideKar Decoder Edition to the PC, for
transferring messages/rig macros, and for loading new
software into the SideKar Decoder Edition. A standard
USB Micro to USB A cable can be used (same as what
might have come with your Android smartphone). This
port must not be connected to a PC if the Radio
serial port is connected to the radio.
•Alternatively, the Elecraft KXUSB or KXSER cables can
be used connected to the “Rig RS232” port on top.
QCX rigs: The SideKar Decoder Edition QCX interfaces to the
entire QCX family, including:
•QCX Classic, revisions 1-5
•QCX+
•QCX Mini
Interfacing the SideKar Decoder Edition with a QCX rig is
done using the double ended right-angle 3.5mm cable
supplied (or equivalent). Plug one end in the QCX CAT port
and the other end in the SideKar Decoder Edition’s “Rig –5
Volt Serial Port” port, located on the right side of the
SideKar Decoder Edition. Do NOT plug it into the RS232
Rig port on the top of the SideKar Decoder Edition. The
QCX CAT port is 5 volts, not RS232 levels.