At 03:39 PM 7/23/2016, you wrote:
 

Geoff,
I did quite a bit of research about the PTT/amp question late last fall and consulted with Curt, AH6RE who manages the station set-up for KH6LC. KH6LC runs several Ameritron amps that are the 8877 version of what PJ2T has with the open frame T/R relays. I also kicked this around with Gary, N7IR and Andy, W9NJY.

The solution seems to be that the PTT line from WinKeyer needs to go directly to the PTT input on the amp, the CW keying line goes to the radio and the radio uses semi-break-in VOX keying. The WinKey delays and tail are set in the logging program's "WinKey" tab and can be adjusted to the 30ms or so we need. I checked with Curt twice to make sure I understood what he was saying.

So that might be the place to start and see if that works better.

One complication that limits other configurations I discovered in my research is that the Keying/PTT delay coming out of the socket on the back of the K3 is nominally set for 8 ms. Of course the Open frame relays in PJ2T's amps need something from 20 to 30 ms to switch and settle. If you adjust the delay up on the K3 much beyond 12 ms the keying there goes to shit (technical term). This is a known, but never corrected issue.

I hope this is of some use going forward.

Gene

 

Hello Geoff,

Yes, you have the gist from my research and discussions for on site CW operation using our WinKeyers @ PJ2T.  Hopefully that saves relays. Nice to have an easy fix for a change.

 

An aside:

Now for running remote (thinking ahead), that presents a problem as the Winkeyer is in Curacao, and would require use of a second serial port and more cables to access, more complexity (ugh), and probably more hassle for the control op to trouble shoot etc. BUT ...

 

In N1MM+ Logger and probably  WinTest  too (have no knowledge, juts a hunch) on a K3,  and specific to a K3, you can run the CW keying off the CAT remote serial port’s DTR line that the Remoterig box's use for rig control (no WinKeyer), and if you do that you can hook the cable back to the transceiver's PTT outlet and set a 30 ms sec delay in the logger software. The CW is generated by Windows and is not the preferred way compared to a WinKeyer, but I've used it for years up to 30 wpm just fine. In fact this is how I did all that remote operating last fall.

 

Of course this is single operator type stuff. If you wanted a “phantom” remote op as pat of a M/M contest where the logging software has to run down at PJ2T you’d use Teamviewer to access the logging program running on the computer at that physical operating position and probably just use Remoterig to ship quality audio back to the “phantom” op. I think ...

 

Question: Do you have the user (human ham) side Remoterig box up here in the States? The reason I ask as I’m getting my home station set up for remote ops and it would be good to have a tester or two use it.