If you’ve kept up with my discussion of logging software, you’ll recall that I realized that a common requirement for most of the contest logging software whether Windows or Apple was a WinKeyer. So I purchased the WinKeyerUSB. It arrived yesterday via Priority Mail and last night I was contemplating what evening to begin to assemble the kit. I woke up this morning to notice that my office was closed due to freezing rain and snow! Yippee! Time to put together a kit.
I’ve provided some photos of the assembly process and the final product. The assembly took several hours beginning in mid-morning with a break for lunch and wrapping it up in the afternoon. Then I spent some time figuring how to verify operation on a Mac. The kit comes complete with Windows based test programs and drivers but I’m using a Mac. I was able to download the correct driver based on links provided by K1EL. I was also able to verify that both USB drivers were installed and working (one for the Elecraft K3 and one for the WinKeyer). Then I found a cable in the junk box that I could wire for the stereo key connection to the K3 and a phono plug to the WinKeyer. I was then able to test it successfully using RumLog — keying the rig with both the software and with the paddle.
Added note (3 February) — The next day was yet another snow day. Spent some time getting the WinKeyer to work with Skookum Logger. Wow! The interface in the logging program for Winkey is really top notch and allows me to control a fair bit more right from the computer. It works great. Now I’m all set for the ARRL DX CW contest later this month.
Another added note (4 February) — Just discovered Skookum Morse. This was created by Bill Myers, K1GQ, who also created Skookum Logger. It’s a controller for the WinKeyer and allows you to set up parameters and messages, then saving them to the WinKeyer for its standalone mode. This is very helpful for the Mac crowd.
In summary, K1EL has done a great job packaging the kit, the assembly instructions were to the point, and enough information was provided that I could figure out how to get it working on my Apple iMac. A very productive and successful Snow Day here in North Texas. Not many of those come along. So glad I could take advantage of it!
