UV-K5 CW with a paddle

Equipment
1

After much researching it seems that the only current firmware’s for the Quansheng UV-K5 that can transmit Morse code are:

  1. IJV
  2. EGZUMER
  3. CEC

However, the IJV firmware only supports the direct connection of a straight key. A paddle can be used but would require a keyer- not ideal for SOTA.

EGZUMER firmware appears to be focused on receiving quality and features.

This leaves the CEC firmware as a good option for CW transmission as it allows the direct access of a paddle or a straight key.

This is a link to a sample video showing the CEC firmware (CEC_0.1x) in operation on a UV-K5(8) which is a version 1 radio.

UV-K5 CW Operation with Paddle

Here is a compatibility comparison for the 3 firmware’s mentioned:

Firmware                       V1                          V3
IJV                       Yes-all versions         Only V3.00 & above
EGZUMER                        Yes                         No
CEC                            Yes                         No

Paul,

VA6TTX

5 Likes
Dusted off the Ten-Tec Today
2

While I don’t consider it ready for release yet, I am working on improving this situation. I’ve been developing a version of egzumer that includes CW support, including external paddle (currently via a rework inside the radio, but I’m investigating implementing the CEC cable adapter method too). It’s only for V1 hardware right now, but I plan to port the changes forward to an open codebase that supports V3 hardware too.

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3

NR7Y,

This would be a welcomed innovation, especially for SOTA operators wanting less bits of stuff to loose and less connections.

Paul

VA6TTX

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4

Hi all,

Here using CEC, v0.3V

UV-5K CW
UV-5K CW1920×2560 1.06 MB

Working :+1:

Using a Ali :china:ess keyer, which costs nothing but can be improved :wink:

Keyer UV-5K CW
Keyer UV-5K CW1920×1824 931 KB

73, Éric F5JKK

1 Like
5

Eric,

That key looks just like the one Adam, K6ARK makes, Morse Code Paddle / CW Key by Adam Kimmerly | Download free STL model | Printables.com

I am curious, does it slip around in the jack on the side of the radio when using it, or is it stiff and secure?

Paul

VA6TTX

6

Hi Paul,
The 3.5mm jack fits well, but the keyer is a bit inaccurate; I need to adjust it, but the best solution is to use a cable between the TX and the keyer.

Edit : Inside the keyer you have 2 resistors

image
image698×425 33.9 KB

The Ali :china:ess link https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009488895785.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.113.5aa71802cXK6po

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7

I still consider this beta, but for those that would like to try it out, I’ve started pushing my code and making builds on GitHub. Starting with beta3, it includes support for the CEC resistor-network cable for a paddle connection. I’ve also developed a rework that one can perform inside the radio which makes it possible to use a paddle directly to the port with no adapter or modified cable.

As folks have discovered, V1 hardware is not the same as V2/V3 hardware. This firmware only works on the V1 hardware, like the original egzumer/CEC/IJV do. I plan to port these changes to a codebase compatible with V3 hardware in time.

Edit to add: why use this firmware and not CEC or IJV? While CW technically works on those firmware, they do not grasp how critical latency is when sending CW. This project addresses that. Additionally, this is the only open-sourced implementation of CW functionality for the QS.

5 Likes
8

NR7Y,

Thanks for this Brian. I will give it a try.

Has anyone else noticed the CEC firmware sometimes sneaks in a dit in front of the dah? Happens rarely but it does happen.

Paul

9

Reading an ADC voltage from a resistor network as a mechanism for detecting CW paddle keys in realtime is a bit of a balancing act. I did significant tuning and oversampling in my code to prevent cases like that. It might still need more tweaking, but I’ve found it’s pretty reliable in my testing.

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10

CEC and IJV are very much inferior for CW. Brian’s firmware is very, very good. In my opinion, NR7Y firmware is the only viable software for using a Sheng on CW.

2 Likes
11

NR7Y,

Hi Brian - I loaded up your firmware and its impressive. My paddle works fine and it has a nice clean return to RX after transmitting. The screen display and menu are very intuitive.

One thing that did confuse me were some of the choices for CWkin (#58). Right now I’m using “CEC Cable”. Is there a description somewhere of what all the choices mean?

Thanks,

Paul VA6TTX

1 Like
12

It is in the readme file:

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