XPost: rec.radio.amateur.moderated

Ham radio ON7IR

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nanoKeyer

Posted: 22 Jun 2021 06:49 AM PDT https://on7ir.blogspot.com/2021/06/nanokeyer.html






I have never entered a contest but under the slogan 'what is not is can
still come' I have build a CW contest keyer.
The nanoKeyer caught my eye. This is an Arduino Nano based CW contest keyer using the open source firmware developped by Anthony E. Good, K3NG. This software is versatile so you can add or remove items to your own preference. Key features of the K3NG firmware are:CW speed adjustable from 1 to 999
WPMK1EL Winkeyer interface protocol emulationSupported by major logging
apps (e.g. N1MM, HRD, etc. in K1EL Winkeyer mode via USB port)SO2R
compatible through K1EL Winkeyer 2 protocol emulationCommand mode for using
the paddle to change settings, program memories, etc.PS2 Keyboard Interface
for CW keyboard operation without a computerPTT with configurable lead,
tail, and hang timesUp to 12 memories with macro and serial number
supportQRSS and HSCWIambic A and B, Ultimatic and Bug modeFarnsworth
Timing, Autospace and Wordspace AdjustmentKeying Compensation, Dah to Dit Ratio, Weighting adjustmentNon-volatile storage of most settingsand much
much more….
The nanoKeyer seemed to be a good choice for me and I decided not to build
it with parts that I have (although it would be possible) but instead I
ordered the parts and pcb from Oscar, DJ0MY.
At time of writing he offers 11% discount.
The only extra parts required are the Arduino Nano, a knob for the potentiometer and, if you wish, an enclosure to put the electronics in.
It only took 2 workdays for the parts to arrive and one hour to solder and
get it working. I already loaded the software in an Arduino Nano on beforehand.All parts from the kit
All components soldered. Arduino Nano not inserted yet.
A 3-pins female header is soldered instead of the pcb mountable
potentiometer
Four buttons at flip side
Next the pcb was mounted inside a plastic enclosure. The inner
front-to-back distance of the enclosure is 10cm which is exactly the size
of the pcb. It would be impossible to put the pcb in the enclosure if the potentiometer was soldered on the pcb so I used another potentiometer from stock and connected it to the pcb using a 3-pins header.PCB mounted in the enclosure
The plastic enclosure. The black knob was aesthetically too small :-/
A look at the connectors at the back

The difficult part was to exactly drill the holes for the knobs on top and
the holes for the connectors
at the back but surprisingly I made no mistakes and I am very satisfied
with the result.
Frontpanel and backpanel were created in Photoshop, printed on photopaper
and glued to the enclosure. The three LED's are bright enough to shine
through the paper.Finished and shining :-)
Backpanel

Inside my enclosure is a lot of space so I could add an audio amplifier or
a batterypack or more in the future. But first I have to get used to all
its current functions.
Extra functionalities can be added to the software but unfortunately the
memory size of the Arduino Nano is almost full. I ordered an Arduino Nano
Every which has a more powerful processor and much more memory. This post
will be updated with my findings.

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