microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved microKEYER II microHAM fax: +421 2 4594 5100 e-mail: support@microham.com homepage: www.microham.com Version 7.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE 1. FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS ....................................................................................................................... 3 2. IMPORTANT WARNINGS ............................................................................................................................... 4 3. PANEL DESCRIPTION .........................................................................................................................
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved 1 - FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS General: • single USB connection to computer • stand alone CW and FSK operation • Complete "Computer <-> Radio" galvanic isolation • transformer isolation of sound card and radio • optical isolation of radio signals • Internal USB sound • Wide range audio level: works with transceiver levels from 100 mV to 1.5 V • Extremely low noise floor: as low as 0.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved Voice (SSB/AM/FM): • front panel headset jacks • rear panel hand/desktop microphone jack • automatic microphone selection • selectable preamplifiers allow electret and dynamic microphones in any combination • Digital Voice Keyer with nine messages up to 120 seconds and unlimited “banks” Digital (FSK/AFSK/PSK31): • Dual channel receive capability • transformers for DC isolation between radio and sound card • low noise amplifiers for optimal decode level • front panel leve
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved 3 - PANEL DESCRIPTION Front Panel 1. EXT MIC Connection for headset mic, e.g. Heil ProSet 3.5 mm stereo - jumper select TIP - Dynamic Mic RING - Electret Mic/Bias SHELL – GND 2. CW LED flashes with CW output 3. PTT1 LED lights when PTT1 (microphone connector) is active. 4. SC LED lights when the sound card is generating audio. 5. FSK LED flashes with FSK output. 6. PTT LED lights when PTT2 (transceiver accessory connector) is active. 7.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved Rear Panel 1. DC 13.8V Power Supply - 2.1 x 5.5 mm coaxial jack, center is + IMPORTANT WARNING: Be sure to observe the proper polarity! 2. MONI Mono output for monitor speaker Connector: 3.5mm TIP - Audio RING – no connection SLEEVE – Ground 3. MIC Station microphone (original). Connector: RJ45 female 4. RADIO DB37F connector for radio interconnections. See Appendix A for details 5. MKD Not Used. 6. USB USB B connector for computer connection. Standard USB A-B cable. 7.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved 10. PA PTT PTT output for Power Amplifier. Output (Solid State or RElay contact) depends on RE/SS jumper position. Connector: RCA, when active goes to ground. TIP – Signal SHELL – Ground If the jumper is in the SS position, the switching transistor (open collector) is connected to the PA PTT jack. The transistor can switch up to 45V/0.8A. This position is appropriate for modern Power Amplifiers with electronic keying.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved 4 - INSTALLATION Installing microKEYER II consists of several steps: 1) prepare MK II to work with your radios 2) install microHAM USB Device Router (the control and interface software) 3) configure microHAM CODEC 4) configure Router 5) set audio levels Preparing microKEYER II for Use 1. Turn off the radio and make the rear panel of microKEYER II accessible. 2. Plug the DB37M of the radio cable set into the RADIO connector on the rear panel of the MK II.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved 7. Connect your paddles to the PADDLE jack. 8. For Icom transceivers, open MK II and install the ICVOX jumper located behind the PTT IN jack. Otherwise, connect your transceiver PTT Out (linear) to the PTT IN jack using the supplied RCA to RCA cable. 9. If you use a foot switch, connect the foot switch to the FOOTSW jack. 10. If your transceiver's accessory port is capable of supplying +13.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved MICROSOFT WINDOWS (XP, Vista, Windows 7) 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/contents/en-us/d29.html If you download an updated package, click on "urouter_release_xx_xx.exe" (xx_xx is version) to start the installation.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved Configuring microHAM CODEC Windows will automatically install the USB Audio Device driver to support the microHAM CODEC in microKEYER II. Windows automatically activates any new audio device as the default device for Sound Playback and Sound recording.
microHAM © 2010 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 (microKEYER II as well as DIGI KEYER, microKEYER, CW Keyer and USB Interfaces) and software interface to other Windows applications (logging software, digital mode software, etc.). The software interface is provided as Virtual Serial Ports.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved Creating and Using Virtual Serial Ports microHAM Router provides a set of virtual serial ports which allow Windows applications (logging and digital software) to work with microKEYER II 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 port to each function you wish to use (radio control, PTT, CW, FSK, etc.).
microHAM © 2010 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: microKEYER II 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.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved 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 interface will wait for additional data before sending data to the operating system. Minimize: Clicking this will minimize Router to the system tray at the bottom right corner of the Windows Task Bar (the "System Notification Area").
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved 3. By right clicking on the system tray icon when the Router is minimized. 4. 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.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved Store as Power-Up Settings: - will store the current settings of the Audio Switching, PTT, CW/WinKey, Keyboard, Display and System tabs to the microKEYER II EEPROM. If microKEYER II is operated without connection to the computer it will use the settings stored in EEPROM. If microKEYER II is connected to a computer running Router, the Router settings will be used but the default settings are retained in EEPROM.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved VIRTUAL PORT MENU It is necessary to create a number of 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 more ports at once by holding the Control 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.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved DEVICE CONFIGURATION TABS There are eleven (11) tabs for configuring microKEYER II. Each tab controls part of microKEYER II's functions. Except for CW Messages and FSK Messages, any change is applied immediately. ● Ports: assign virtual ports to the microKEYER II for use by applications ● Audio Switching: configures microphone audio routing based on operator preference, application sound card handling and operating mode ● Audio Mixer: sets microHAM CODEC levels.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved PORTS TAB Once the virtual ports have been created they must be associated with a specific function or 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. Correct port assignment is critical for proper operation with application software.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved CAT PORT & 2nd 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).
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved 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 microKEYER.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved 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. IMPORTANT: For microKEYER II to operate properly when Router is not running, the settings must be saved as power-up defaults using “Device | Store as Power-Up Settings.” 2nd CAT PORT Beginning with version 7.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved FSK & 2nd FSK PORTS The FSK channels are used by application programs 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 used in the transceiver to generate a frequency shift. FSK must be supported by the transceiver (this mode is commonly labeled RTTY or FSK).
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved Strict bps: Some programs rely on the the UART "buffer full" signal for proper PTT timing and drop PTT (unkey) when the UART buffer is empty. Because virtual ports generally have two buffers - one in the USB driver and one in the hardware - the first buffer may empty before all of the data has been transmitted allowing the PTT to before the message is complete. 'Strict bps' disables the USB buffering and sends one character at a time to the FSK output.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved PTT & 2nd PTT PORTS The PTT channels are used to control transmit/receive switching of the transceiver and power amplifier. An internal sequencer assures 100% protection against hot switching of the PA when the PTT channel is used. More information about T/R switching and the sequencer is provided under the PTT tab. Router allows assigning virtual serial ports for PTT using the DTR or RTS signals.
microHAM © 2010 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/WinKey tab.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved AUXILIARY PORT The Auxiliary Port allows an application program (logger) to control an auxiliary device attached to the iLink port. The Auxiliary port implements serial in and serial out (RxD and TxD) as TTL signals – interfacing to an RS-232 device will require a TTL to RS-232 converter, for example the microHAM iLINK/SteppIR. When an application opens the Auxiliary port, Router reports port as open and displays settings used to configure COM port.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved AUDIO SWITCHING TAB microKEYER II uses an advanced, custom USB audio subsystem which allows Router to handle all of the audio routing. Microphone and receive audio are always connected to microHAM CODEC (the microKEYER II “sound card”).
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved The VOICE and FSK/DIGITAL settings can independently specify whether audio generated by microHAM CODEC should be sent to the microphone jack or line input based on the operating mode. VOICE settings: Microphone jack, DVK control (default): The audio from microHAM CODEC is connected to the transceiver's microphone jack when transmitting under DVK control - including while recording DVK messages with "On Air recording" selected.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved Microphone Selection: microKEYER II supports two microphone inputs. The RJ-45 input on the rear panel supports the stock transceiver microphone, including any microphone "button" controls – if the transceiver microphone uses a connector other than an RJ-45, use the supplied adapter. The 3.5 mm front panel jack can be configured to support electret or dynamic headset or boom microphones. Front: always use front panel (3.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved AUDIO MIXER TAB NOTE: The Audio Mixer Tab is not present in Windows Vista or 7 due to operating system limitations. Windows Vista and 7 take exclusive control of the sound card and do not allow any application to control the overall level or the select/mute switches for any audio "endpoint" (input or output). The Windows 2000 and Windows XP Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) that the Audio Mixer tab requires is not present in Vista and Windows 7.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved REC MIC (microphone recording level) VU meter: this "stacked LED" display shows the audio level into the analog to digital controller. Note, the display is active only if a sample rate is selected and the recording mic is selected. This control adjusts the microphone recording level for recording DVK messages in the application (logger). Sampling: sets the sample rate used for the REC MIC level displays.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved RX RECORDING/DIGITAL (logger audio recording or digital decode levels). VU meter: this "stacked LED" display shows the audio level into the analog to digital controller. Note, the display is active only if a sample rate is selected. microKEYER II shows one slider for each input – Left for the Main RX and Right for the Sub RX. Keep the sliders at about 80% and use the RX Main and RX Sub pots on the front panel for adjustment.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved PTT TAB The PTT tab allows configuring PTT operation. PTT INPUTS: microKEYER II has six PTT sources: ● PTT generated by the logging program on the virtual COM port RTS or DTR ● 2nd PTT generated by an external application on the virtual COM port RTS or DTR PTT and 2nd PTT behave the same and generate the same Serial PTT input. ● A foot switch attached to the rear panel RCA jack. ● The PTT switch of the microphone connected to the RJ45 MIC jack.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved Router groups operating modes into three classes: CW, Voice (USB, LSB, AM and FM) and FSK/DIGITAL. The available PTT options are: CW: PTT1 (microphone jack), QSK (no transceiver PTT, PA PTT and LNA PTT include only PA/LNA PTT tail) Semi Break-in (no transceiver PTT, PA PTT and LNA PTT include PTT tail and PA/LNA PTT tail) PTT2 (rear panel jack). VOICE: PTT1 (microphone jack) PTT2 (rear panel jack).
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved FOOTSWITCH SEQUENCER Additional functions can be associated with the footswitch (or hand mic PTT). microKEYER II recognizes when the footswitch is closed (pressed) or open (released) and can manipulate CW, FSK, PTT and audio routing when the footswitch is closed or opened. Mute serial CW - if checked, serial CW (DTR or RTS) from an application program will be muted while the footswitch is pressed.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved CW/WinKey TAB This tab provides the configuration for the WinKey based, internal CW keyer. A complete WinKey manual can be downloaded from:http://k1el.tripod.com/files/Winkey10.pdf. Thanks to Steve Elliott, K1EL for this great product. WinKey can be controlled by a logging program or operate in stand alone mode controlled by Router. Router controls the speed range, Paddle mode and other timing characteristics of WinKey.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved CW MESSAGES TAB On this tab you can define nine CW messages of up to 50 characters each which are stored in EEPROM. Each memory may have a programmable repeat delay and/or call another memory. Commands which may be included in a memory are: Merge: Cancel WPM: Set WPM: Set Key: Set Wait: merge two characters without a letter space – [M]AS will sound AS .-... restore speed set by the Speed pot. force speed to the selected value regardless of position of speed knob.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved FSK MESSAGES TAB On this tab you can define nine FSK messages of up to 50 characters each which are stored in EEPROM. Each memory may have a programmable repeat delay and/or call another memory.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved DVK TAB microKEYER II allows recording and playing an unlimited number of messages (limited only by the capacity of the computer hard drive) - nine voice messages per bank. Banks can be managed with Rename, Add and Remove buttons. Rename to rename the current bank, Add to create a new bank, and Remove to delete the current bank. Bank selection is provided by Bank box.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved KEYBOARD TAB The Keyboard Tab controls the operation of a PS/2 keyboard or numeric keypad connected to the PS/2 jack. It is also possible to define control functions for the numeric keypad. Custom controls are invoked by pressing and holding the asterisk key (*) with Numkey0-9. General: QWERTZ layout – configures the keyboard for a QWERTZ layout. FSK from keyboard: Diddle LETTERS: send the LETTERS character whenever there is nothing in the transmit buffer.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved DISPLAY TAB The display tab provides controls for configuring the microKEYER II display. Each line can display one of eight default (background) functions and any of “temporary” status reports. The “background” functions are those that appear at idle. The status messages appear depending on operating mode.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved SYSTEM SETTINGS TAB System Power displays the voltage at the +13.8 V input jack (+12V to +16V) Enable sleep mode: When checked, microKEYER II will sleep when the radio power (DB37, pin 1) is turned off and Router is not running. CI-V port settings: The CI-V port will emulate an Icom transceiver and “broadcast” the frequency data if Router can determine it by polling the rig or reading polling data from the logging program.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved 6 – Setting Audio Levels For optimum operation of microKEYER II, the audio levels must be set properly. The function of each control was described in the AUDIO MIXER and DVK sections of the manual. Following a step-by-step approach will help you to set proper levels. Configuring microKEYER II for your radio: 1. Connect the original microphone for your transceiver directly to the mic input of the transceiver. 2.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved 7. Select the Audio Switching tab. Set both FSK/DIGITAL and VOICE to “Line input (rear)” 8. Go back to the Audio Mixer tab and click the “Test Signal” button. Adjust the TX WAVE slider for normal (rated) output on your transceiver while keeping the ALC meter as low as possible. NOTE: For the Elecraft K3 only: Do not adjust the TX WAVE slider. Instead, adjust the Line In level (Mic Gain) until the ALC shows five (5) bars. 9. Select the Audio Switching tab.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved 7. Select the "Recording" tab in the Sound Control Panel ● double click "Headset Microphone (microHAM CODEC)" ● click Levels tab and unmute the Microphone ● Preset the Microphone level to 70% 8. While speaking into the microphone, adjust the Microphone level until you see the top green bar light on the VU meter for "Headset Microphone (microHAM CODEC) on the Recording tab, then click OK. 9. Set the TX control on the front of microKEYER II to 12 o'clock. 10.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved 7 - System Considerations microKEYER II can be used with a wide variety of software. The capabilities of those packages will have large influence on the level of computing power needed to utilize microKEYER II.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved 8 - EXTERNAL KEYBOARD/KEYPAD NOTE: The keyboard/Keypad must be PS/2. A USB device with PS/2 adapter will not work properly. microKEYER II includes the ability to generate FSK or CW, record and play CW, FSK or VOICE messages using a PS/2 keyboard or numeric keypad connected to the PS/2 jack. A numeric key pad is sufficient to record and play CW and DVK messages, control CW speed (WPM) or play a serial number message. “Live” CW or FSK (RTTY) requires a full keyboard.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved std.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved 9 - HARDWARE SPECIFICATIONS USB: USB 2.0 Full speed, USB 1.1 compatible Power consumption: USB – less than 100mA Power supply – 400mA at 13.8V (max. 16V) Radio Port: RxD, TxD – max.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved 10 - PACKAGE CONTENTS The product includes microKEYER II, USB cable, 3.5 mm audio cable (sub-receiver audio), RCA to RCA cable (PTT IN), coaxial 2.1mm/5.5mm power plug, and CD-ROM containing the microHAM USB Device Router program and documentation. If the shipment is incomplete, please contact us at the following address: E-mail: support@microham.com fax : +421 2 4594 5100 by Post: microHAM s.r.o.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY Federal Communications Commission Statement (USA) This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. European Union Declaration of Conformity microHAM, s.r.o.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved APPENDIX A – DB37 RADIO CONNECTOR Pin # Label Description 1 POWER Auxiliary 12V power input 20 RS232 RTS RS232 radio port RTS output 2 RS232 CTS RS232 radio port CTS input 21 IF-FIF iface matrix - used for configuring desired levels for radio control interface 3 IF IN iface matrix - used for configuring desired levels for radio control interface 22 FIF IN iface matrix - used for configuring desired levels for radio control interface 4 RS-TTL OUT if
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved iLINK – miniDIN 6 Pin # Label Description 1 DATA I2C Data channel for expansion (TTL) 2 RX EXT Serial Data In (TTL) 3 GND Connected to system ground and case 4 +5 V +5V output, max.100mA. 5 CLOCK I2C Data Clock (TTL) 6 TX EXT Serial Data In (TTL) SHELL GND Connected to system ground and case PS/2 – miniDIN 6 Pin # Label Description 1 PS/2 DATA TTL PS/2 DATA line 2 RESPAD Input for resistive keypad (FH-2), max.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved APPENDIX B – RFI Considerations A few guidelines to eliminate problems caused by RFI: 1. Proper grounding of all electronic equipment is critical. A modern station contains many, diverse, types of interconnected and interrelated equipment: transceiver, power amplifier, computer, control boxes, switch boxes, and power supplies. Each of these must be individually grounded with a separate connection to a single common ground point, thus forming a star ground connection.
microHAM © 2010 All rights reserved APPENDIX C – Tracking NOTE: Tracking is experimental code started in Router 7.5.0 for linking the transceiver frequency to a tracking receiver. Mode linking and bidirectional frequency tracking are not currently supported. microHAM will be expanding features and adding support for additional radios in the future. The initial version has been tested with Perseus SDR only.