I want to use keyboard to key CW from PC SW

[KA4AIY]

I wish to key CW from Hamscope to ICOM 718.

I presently use a Donner digital mode interface and it works great for PSK mode.. but how do I key CW from Hamscope (or other software) to produce regular CW sidetone signals to go out over the rig set to CW mode. I know there is a hard key interface that will key rig via com port.. I get that but how does one get the proper cw tones on to carrier? Keying the rig to CW transmit mode is not the issue, it's how to get keyed signal on to carrier.

I got a few opinions... telling me that I broke the "covenants" of CW by wanting to do this; but I assume there is a clean electrical way to do this.

Please, no "fascist" commentary chastising me for wanting to operate CW mode from keyboard (had enuf of that already) it's a technical answer I am seeking not a "religious" sermon that admonishes me to "sin no more" Hi Hi with desires to send keyboard-generated CW signals.

Any takers?

[KG4RUL]

I wish to key CW from Hamscope to ICOM 718.

I presently use a Donner digital mode interface and it works great for PSK mode.. but how do I key CW from Hamscope (or other software) to produce regular CW sidetone signals to go out over the rig set to CW mode. I know there is a hard key interface that will key rig via com port.. I get that but how does one get the proper cw tones on to carrier? Keying the rig to CW transmit mode is not the issue, it's how to get keyed signal on to carrier.

I got a few opinions... telling me that I broke the "covenants" of CW by wanting to do this; but I assume there is a clean electrical way to do this.

Please, no "fascist" commentary chastising me for wanting to operate CW mode from keyboard (had enuf of that already) it's a technical answer I am seeking not a "religious" sermon that admonishes me to "sin no more" Hi Hi with desires to send keyboard-generated CW signals.

Any takers?

Try setting the rig to either USB or LSB. What you are trying to do is put an audio tone onto the SSB signal not to key the transmitter in CW mode. The software will key the rig when you click on TX and will keep it keyed until you go back to RX and, put the CW tones into the transmitter as you type.

[K5RCD]

Try setting the rig to either USB or LSB. What you are trying to do is put an audio tone onto the SSB signal not to key the transmitter in CW mode. The software will key the rig when you click on TX and will keep it keyed until you go back to RX and, put the CW tones into the transmitter as you type.

What Dennis said is correct and should work for you if you intend to work an audible sound CW (really just a modulated audio tone mimicking the CW characters - not true CW).

To work real CW where your transmitter sends out real CW through the radio's keyer and the radio transmit light will blink off and on, and your watt meter will bounce in tune with your keying is a different issue. In other words to send true CW via the sound card into the keyer requires a different approach.

To do THAT you need an interface device with a separate output jack to connect to your radio's keyer input. It will key the radio exactly as it would with a real key, but does it via the sound card/software/interface device with your transceiver in CW mode. I am not familiar with the Donner device, but I don't think it has the required output jack. You can probably find plans on the internet to build one, or purchase an interface similar to mine.

I have a MFJ 1279M Super Sound card Interface device and can send true CW with it using MIX W software and my IC-706. I much prefer to use an iambic key however because I find it more enjoyable. I really see nothing wrong with using a keyboard to send (true CW) and there are probably more folks using it than you imagine. If they don't tell you, you probably won't know they are using it.