Old CW keying topic revisited

[JJ4SDR]

Getting ready to operate in a big CW contest in May and exploring my options as far as keying the radio on CW is concerned.

I would like additional feedback from die-hard CW operators, especially those who are heavy into contesting!

Note that I am using a Solid State amplifier and will not want to see what an operator from the N1MM logging group.io page wrote:

***I stopped using the Thetis keyer function. Too often it had erratic timing leading to hot keying (evidenced by red flash around thetis display). Instead I now use an external winkey keyer. In N1MM+ you set this up in config. Enter the comm port assigned to the keyer (by windows), check keyer in N1MM+ configuration page. Click on set to choose winkey tab and click winkey.***

Juha
NI2M

[W2PA]

Juha,

I use Thetis w/protocol2 on my 8000DLE driving a KPA-1500 and have no problem operating QSK with N1MM Logger+, or non-contest with an external paddle or CWX. I'm using delays of Key-Up=1ms, Key-Down=7ms.

[JJ4SDR]

Thanks Chris!

Not sure why this other Thetis fellow is having those issues. Perhaps he didn't set the timing parameters....

73!
Juha
NI2M

[JJ4SDR]

Chris,

What RF Delay (mine is set at 100) are you using? I see my PTT Delay is 0!

73!
Juha
NI2M

[W2PA]

RX Delay 0
MOX Delay 15
RF Delay 7
PTT Delay 0

You'll need to experiment, of course. Everyone's HW setup is a bit different. Note that RF Delay doesn't affect CW operation according to the tool tip.

[JJ4SDR]

Copy that Chris!

Thanks.
Juha

[W4WMT]

MOX Delay 15

I've always wondered why one would want this parameter to be set to anything other than zero.
Can someone edify me please?
73!
Bryan
W4WMT

[W2PA]

Honestly, Bryan, I don't recall intentionally setting this. Maybe it was a default.

[W4WMT]

Yes, that is the default.
I could just never figure why.
73!

[N4XD]

I'm that "other" fellow.

In the manual, which admittedly is quite a bit out of date, it said set CW delays (both key up and key down) to at least 30ms otherwise will get unusual results. Indeed I found, with other versions of Thetis, this to be the case. That and the long delay needed for all the relays to switch.

The easiest work around was/ is the external keyer. PLUS, the note on every firmware update, that RF may appear on the receive only ports you set up for a brief moment when using the internal keyer. That is not what I want so another reason to not use the internal keyer.

Ron
N4XD