Logikey K-3 KEYER
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stead of sending dots or dashes, you will get continuous output. This lets you hold the "key" down while you
tune up that big rig (into the dummy load, of course) in easy stages. When finished, press any button, and
the keyer will be returned to normal.
OK, that's enough for now. You've learned how to program messages. It's time to hook the keyer up to the
rig, get on the air and make a few QSO's, and enjoy how fluid and clean CW can be. And when you are
ready, move on to the next section of this tutorial, and we'll go into some of the fancier options. They are
easy to learn too, but right now let's use what we have learned so far.
SECOND SESSION
OK. You've been using your Logikey K-3 Keyer, and you've discovered how smooth and well behaved it is.
Likely your transmitting speed has improved as well. Let's start exploring the next level of features your key-
er has to offer. Let's turn the rig off, and explore more of the commands available to you.
First, let's try the "Inquiry" mode. Push the right two buttons (#5 & #6) together, then release them, which
always puts the keyer in the Inquiry mode. The keyer responds with a "?" in CW. Now, simply send the letter
"S" through the paddle. The keyer sends back a number - the speed in WPM the keyer is presently set for.
Press buttons #5 & #6 again. (The keyer automatically leaves the inquiry mode after each question, so for
each new inquiry you must re-enter the inquiry mode, by pressing buttons #5 and #6.) Now send a "Q"
through your paddle. The keyer will respond by sending in Morse either "ON" or "OFF". Now, press the two
right buttons, and send the "Q" again. You will get the same answer. The point here is that the Inquiry mode
only tells you what the keyer is set for, and does not affect the setting, The Function mode, on the other
hand, would have reversed the setting. A little later we will actually discuss the "Q" command.
Press the Inquiry buttons again, and this time respond to the Morse "?" by sending the number "1" through
your paddle. The keyer will play back to you the message (if any) presently stored in message memory num-
ber one. You can read out the other messages by calling out their number, which corresponds to their but-
ton number. If there is no message stored, there will be no response.
What is the advantage of entering the Inquiry mode to read out a message memory? Isn't it easier to just
push the number 1 button and have it read out? Yes, except that in doing so the stored message will go out
over the air if the transmitter is active. Reading the memory contents through the inquiry mode will play the
message back over the monitor speaker, even if the monitor is toggled off, and not out over the air.
Now let's work with the "Function" mode, always activated by pressing the left two buttons, (#1 & #2)
down. You will recall using the function mode to toggle the monitor speaker on and off earlier. The function
mode is a very powerful tool, and is used to control of a number of other keyer functions, some of which we
are now going to explore.
Let's reset the speed range. This will give you a good example of how the keyer is programmed at the same
time. You never send slower than 10 wpm, and rarely go above 45 wpm. So let's set up a range of say 8 -
50 wpm. (And remember, we can always change it later if we want.) Look in the operating manual under
"Function Commands" and find "R" for Range. The instruction says that we can program inside a range of 5
- 60 WPM, so we are OK. The command is "R ddee". The "dd" stands for the low range limit, the "ee" for
the high speed limit. So the command we want is "RØ85Ø". That is, I want a range of 8 to 50 words per mi-
nute. Now let's enter that command.
Enter the Function mode by pressing the left two buttons, #1 & #2. The keyer responds by sending "F" in
Morse. Now, send the "RØ85Ø" command. The keyer now knows what speed we want, but is not sure
where the speed knob is set. Turn the knob fully clockwise, send a few dots, then turn it fully counter clock-
wise and send a few more dots. That allows the keyer to calibrate itself. Now set the knob anywhere you
want and start sending, with the range tailored exactly as desired. (Be sure to note: To enter a speed below
10 WPM, you must enter a leading zero such as Ø7 for 7 WPM when sending the "Range" command.)
But suppose you really screwed up, and programmed in a range of 50 - 60 words per minute. But your top
speed is 35 wpm, and now you can't reset the range to a more manageable number? Not to worry - there is
an escape hatch, Simply press buttons #1 and #6 down together, then release. Bang! The range has just
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