Using Elecraft KX3/K3 KY Codes to Allow N1MM & RTTY-FSK
A Step-by-step Guide (assuming no previous experience)
Anthony Luscre- K8ZT
Introduction
This guide has been written assuming you have had little or no experience with using KX3 USB Interface or N1MM operations. For those with previous knowledge fill free to skip ahead to needed configuration and sample Macros. There maybe other settings that work, but these worked for me.This setup should also work with K3 or K3S
Why?
I wanted to use the KX3βs excellent FSK (not Β AFSK) and KX3βs RTTY to Text Decoding
I did not want to use a Signalink or other digi interface or use my computerβs sound card
I was only interested in using RTTY for casual operation in a contest that required serial numbers and wanted to be able easily send reply with incrementing serial numbers
A bonus is ability to also use this setup for SSB or CW (If you are interested in non-macro driven, direct keying CW see appendix)
What you need-
ACC-1 USB Interface Cable that ships with KX3 (the same one you use for Firmware updates)
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Computer running Windows XP, 7, 8 or 10 (βN1MM Logger+ incorporates the latest multi-threading technology, and will take full advantage of multi-core CPUs.. A single-core 1.6 GHz processor is probably the minimum required, but the CPU requirements depend quite heavily on which program options, modes, etc. are selected, so this may not be adequate depending on how you use the program. The program itself does not require a large amount of memory, but the more memory you have, the more smoothly Windows multitasking works.β)
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Setup-
Install KX3 Utility Software
Plug USB cable into radio & computer
Turn on KX3
Determine USB Port # being used by KX3
Start KX3 Utility Software and click βTest Communicationsβ button
Note the resulting port # (this will vary depending on other device connected to your computer.)
Exit (File...Exit) KX3 Utility Software
Install N1MM Software
Configure N1MM Software![](../themes/icons/grey.gif)
On top menu choose βConfigureβ then βConfigure Ports, Mode Controlβ¦.β
βConfigure Ports, Mode Controlβ¦.β dialog box will open
You will need to use two tabs at the top
βHardwareβ
βDigital Modes
Configure Hardware Tab![](../themes/icons/grey.gif)
![](../themes/icons/grey.gif)
Choose the Port # that you noted above (with KX3 Utility Software). If the port is not listed, change one of the ports to the number you need
Choose KX3 as the Radio
Check βCW/Otherβ box
Click βSetβ to configure connection settings as show in screenshot D
Check βDigiβ box for any port number that is not being used by KX3 or other USB devices connected to your computer. (If not sure choose clicking on the drop down box will show available ports).
Click βSetβ on the port you have chosen for βDigiβ and set as in the screenshot F![](../themes/icons/grey.gif)
Configure βDigital Modesβ tab
Choose βDigital Interface TU Typeβ. Then chose βSoundcardβ.
Click OK to close
![](../themes/icons/grey.gif)
Close βConfigureβ then βConfigure Ports, Mode Controlβ¦.β dialog box
Click on βWindowsβ Top Menu bar then choose βDigital Interfaceβ a pair of windows should open.
On the βSoundcardβ dialog box, choose βInterfaceβ menu.
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You can minimize them and/or move them out of the way as they will not function in this configuration.
You will be using the KX3 Decoded Text Display
Load N1MM Macros
On the top menu choose βConfigureβ then βConfigure Ports, Mode Controlβ¦.β
Click βChange CW/SSB/Digital Key Definitionsβ![](../themes/icons/grey.gif)
![](../themes/icons/grey.gif)
Click βChange Digital Function Keyβ¦β
Paste the sample βRunβ & βSearch & Pounceβ messages (see sample list below) into box.
Edit to match your preferences.
Save, with a new name (KX3-Macros-CW) or anything to distinguish it from N1MM default messages file.
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Please note: macro in F12 is designed to stop transmit if does not terminate on its own.
Sample set of Macros for RTTY Contesting
#Simple RTTY K3/KX3 EXAMPLE
#The space between the KY and the first character in the actual message
#is required by the K3/KX3 command syntax, as is the semicolon at the end
#of the message.
##REM βββ-, Special instructions begin at end-of-file ββββββββββ
#
#
#RUN____,Run DIGITAL Message begin here ββββββββββ
#
F1 CQ,{CATA1ASC SWH21;}
F2 Ex,{CAT1ASC KY {CALL} 599 {EXCH};}
F3 TU!,{CATA1ASC KY TU CQ {MYCALL} TEST;}
F4 MYCALL,{CATA1ASC KY {MYCALL};}
F5 HIS CALL, {CATA1ASC KY {CALL}?;}
F6 RptCQ,{CATA1ASC SWH21;}{CATA2ASC SWH21;}
F7 EX2,{CAT1ASC KY 5NN {EXCH} {MYCALL};}
F8 AGN?,{CAT1ASC KY AGN?;}
F9 Nr?, {CAT1ASC KY NR?;}
F10 SEC?, {CAT1ASC KY SEC?;}
F11 Wipe,{WIPE}
F12 STOP,{CATA1ASC RX;}{CATA2ASC RX;}
#
#S&P βββ-, Search and Pounce DIGITAL Messages begin here ββββββββββ
#
F1 CQ,{CATA1ASC SWH21;}
F2 Ex,{CAT1ASC KY 599 {EXCH} {MYCALL};}
F3 TU!,{CATA1ASC KY TU {MYCALL};}
F4 MYCALL,{CATA1ASC KY {MYCALL};}
F5 HIS CALL, {CATA1ASC KY {CALL}?;}
F6 -,
F7 EX2,{CAT1ASC KY 5NN {EXCH} {MYCALL};}
F8 AGN?,{CAT1ASC KY AGN?;}
F9 Nr?, {CAT1ASC KY NR?;}
F10 SEC?, {CAT1ASC KY SEC?;}
F11 Wipe,{WIPE}
F12 STOP,{CATA1ASC RX;}{CATA2ASC RX;}
#
#REM βββ-, Special instructions begin at end-of-file βββββββββ
Sample set of Macros for CW Contesting
#RUN____,Run CW Message begin here ββββββββββ
#
F1 CQ,{CATA1ASC SWH21;}
F2 Ex,{CAT1ASC KY {CALL} 5NN {EXCH};}
F3 TU!,{CATA1ASC KY TU CQ {MYCALL} TEST;}
F4 MYCALL,{CATA1ASC KY {MYCALL};}
F5 HIS CALL, {CATA1ASC KY {CALL}?;}
F6 RptCQ,{CATA1ASC SWH21;}{CATA2ASC SWH21;}
F7 EX2,{CAT1ASC KY 5NN {EXCH} {MYCALL};}
F8 AGN?,{CAT1ASC KY AGN?;}
F9 Nr?, {CAT1ASC KY NR?;}
F10 SEC?, {CAT1ASC KY SEC?;}
F11 Wipe,{WIPE}
F12 STOP,{CATA1ASC RX;}{CATA2ASC RX;}
#
#S&P βββ-, Search and Pounce CW Messages begin here ββββββββββ
#
F1 CQ,{CATA1ASC SWH21;}
F2 Ex,{CAT1ASC KY 5NN {EXCH} {MYCALL};}
F3 TU!,{CATA1ASC KY TU {MYCALL};}
F4 MYCALL,{CATA1ASC KY {MYCALL};}
F5 HIS CALL, {CATA1ASC KY {CALL}?;}
F6 -,
F7 EX2,{CAT1ASC KY 5NN {EXCH} {MYCALL};}
F8 AGN?,{CAT1ASC KY AGN?;}
F9 Nr?, {CAT1ASC KY NR?;}
F10 SEC?, {CAT1ASC KY SEC?;}
F11 Wipe,{WIPE}
F12 STOP,{CATA1ASC RX;}{CATA2ASC RX;}
#
#REM βββ-, Special instructions begin at end-of-file ββββββββββ
#On K3/KX3 use straight Key to end tranmission at anytime
#
Sample set of Macros for SSB Contesting
#RUN βββ-, Run SSB Messages begin here ββββββββββ
#
F1 pulls message from Memories, test to verify assignments in your radio
F1 CQ,{CATA1ASC SWT21;}{CATA2ASC SWT21;}
F2 Exch,{CATA1ASC SWT31;}{CATA2ASC SWT31;}
F3 Thanks!,{CATA1ASC SWT35;}{CATA2ASC SWT35;}
F4 {MYCALL},{CATA1ASC SWT39;}{CATA2ASC SWT39;}
F5 -,
F6 RptCQ,{CATA1ASC SWH21;}{CATA2ASC SWH21;}
F7 REC,{CATA1ASC SWT37;}{CATA2ASC SWT37;}
F8 -,
F9 -,
F10 -,
F11 -,
F12 STOP,{CATA1ASC RX;}{CATA2ASC RX;}
#
#S&P βββ-, Search and Pounce SSB Messages begin here ββββββββββ
#
F1 CQ,{CATA1ASC SWT21;}{CATA2ASC SWT21;}
F2 TU QRZ,{CATA1ASC SWT31;}{CATA2ASC SWT31;}
F3 NA1DX,{CATA1ASC SWT35;}{CATA2ASC SWT35;}
F4 {MYCALL},{CATA1ASC SWT39;}{CATA2ASC SWT39;}
F5 -,
F6 RptCQ,{CATA1ASC SWH21;}{CATA2ASC SWH21;}
F7 REC,{CATA1ASC SWT37;}{CATA2ASC SWT37;}
F8 -,
F9 -,
F10 -,
F11 -,
F12 STOP,{CATA1ASC RX;}{CATA2ASC RX;}
#