PK-232 INTERFACING
A PK-232 may be used for CW keying.  See the documentation of that device
for information on connecting the PK-232 to your computer.  If WriteLog will
not communicate with your PK-232, it may be necessary to do the
editing described below.
Using NotePad edit C:\Windows\writelog.ini  as follows:
In the file, go to the section labeled [Ports].
Look at the line for the Com port you intend to use.  It will look like this:
COM1:=9600,n,8,1,x
Check to be sure all parameters are correct, then Delete the final x (but not
the comma).  It should look like this:
COM1:=9600,n,8,1,
Click on File, Save.  Then open WriteLog; this should allow
your PK-232 to communicate with WriteLog.
 

PORT TYPES
WriteLog is capable of CW Keying your rig using either a serial or parallel
port and a small interface you can easily make.  So you can use
either type you have free.

Serial ports are designated com1, com2, etc.,
and use either a 9-pin or 25-pin male D-shell connector.
Parallel ports (usually used for a printer) are designated LPT1, LPT2, or
LPT3, and use a 25-pin female D-shell connectors.
Determine the port you wish to use for keying and note the type of connector
(male or female) and the number of pins required, and get a D-shell connector
and D-shell hood for your computer port.

TRANSCEIVER CHECK
Locate the CW key jack on your transceiver.  The jacks usually require a
¼ inch phone plug.  Prepare a shielded cable with a plug which fits into
your CW key jack which is long enough to reach to your to your computer port
connector. Plug it into the CW key jack, and with the transceiver on,
measure the voltage and note the polarity of your transceiver keying circuit.
Although the vast majority of all transmitters and transcievers manufactured
over the last 20+ years use positive TTL or CMOS keying levels, we recommend
that this be verified on your rig before proceeding.  The following circuits
will work for keying voltages up to about 30 volts; almost all of
recent equipment will be 5 volts.  In all circuit diagrams in this section,
the transmitter connections go to the CW key jack on your transceiver.

SERIAL PORT KEYING
Either a 4N33 or 4N32 optoisolator may be used for CW keying of a serial port
(a com port).  These two optoisolators have exactly the same package (6
lead DIPs) and pin connections.  The internal connections for these
optoisolators are shown in figure 1.

Determine the DTR and GROUND pin numbers for the serial port you intend
to use by consulting the following table:

               9-PIN    25-PIN
               -----    ------
DTR             #4       #20
GROUND          #5       # 7

The keying circuit is shown in figure 2.
 

Pin #3 of the 4N33 (or 4N32) may be grounded and/or used to support the
unit or components, but pin #6 MUST have no connection.  The circuit may be
mounted in a small metal box (or possibly inside the D-shell hood).  All
cables used should be shielded.  Note that the circuit allows for keeping
the transceiver ground separate from the computer ground.  This is
recommended to prevent RF interference.

PARALLEL PORT KEYING
A Parallel (or Printer) port is a 25-pin female D-shell connector.
If you desire to key using a parallel port (LPT1, LPT2, etc.), use the
following circuit: (see figure 3)  Any small general-purpose NPN transistor
may be substituted for the 2N2222.
It should be noted that this arrangement commons the PC's and the
transciever's ground, and under some circumstances may lead to RF
interference in the computer.
 

PROGRAM CONFIGURATION
The WriteLog program must be configured to operate CW.  In order to do this,
click on Setup, Port Setup, under CW, click on the port you have selected
for keying.  Under CW Keyer Type, click on the the correct keyer type.  In
the lower right corner, click on CW Speeds.  Enter the speeds you wish to
use, then click on OK.  On Port Setup, click on OK.  Click on Options, then
on Save Configuration to save your set-up.

On the Entry Window, there is a button labeled Radio which usually comes up
with “3500 KHz CW” when WriteLog is opened.  If the Radio button does not
say CW, click on it, click on CW, then click on OK before attempting to send
CW. For additional information on WriteLog CW keying, see these sections
in the manual:  "CW Keyboard" and "CW and RTTY Memory Setup"