Introduction

To make my QRP rigs a little easier to use (especially mobile and in the field) I programmed a PIC16F84 microcontroller to serve as a keyer and a frequency counter with Audio Frequency Annunciator (AFA). In other words, a keyer and Morse code frequency readout.

Here is a list of the features I was striving for when I started this project:

The Approach

While I enjoy writing code, sometimes you find things in the public domain that make it difficult to justify writing the code yourself. Prior to starting this project I discovered some code for a great little keyer on the K1EL web site. I promptly downloaded the code (K8) and programmed a 12C509 PIC processor with it. I built that keyer into a single band rig and later built a stand alone PIC Keyer based on it. The K1EL PIC code is well written, rock solid code that yields a great keyer. If you go to the K1EL site and look under "Free Stuff" you will see that the code is still available along with code for an improved keyer and some other neat gadgets

Keyer Code and Processor Choice

Impressed with the K8 keyer code, I decided this would be the base of my keyer/counter project. Trying to do this project with the 12C509 would be a problem because I don't have a pic emulator. Using the "burn and learn" approach (burn eprom, test, try to learn why it doesn't work, and erase eprom) with a windowed eprom part was an option but not a very good one. Also, because the K8 code uses all the 1K program memory I would have to do some serious hacking to make room for the AFA code. Many "burn and learn" cycles would no doubt be required. The best approach, given my modest set of development tools, seemed to be to port the 12C509 code to the 16F84. Not an easy task, but worth the effort it if yields a K8 like keyer in the 16F84. By the way, there is now a 16F84 version of the K8 code on the K1EL website.

Frequency Counter Code

There are plenty of good PIC frequency counter examples to follow. Several were found on the web and in the Microchip appnote library. The October 2000 QRP Quarterly had an article by WA1EDJ and AE4GX describing an AFA they built for the Georgia Sierra. It looked interesting so I e-mailed Sam, AE4GX and he sent me the source code. Their project was based on some 16F84 code that was written by Bernd Kernbaum DK3WX. I programmed a 16F84 with their code and experimented with it. It worked quite well and provided me with some good ideas. My approach was to maintain as much of the keyer functionality as possible and keep the AFA features to a minimum. For example, the number of frequency digits sent and the frequency offset (IF frequency) are configurable before assembly but not adjustable during operation. This is not a problem since the intended application is single band transceivers where those parameters are pretty well fixed.

The Development Process

My development tools consist of the following: 1.MPLAB, an assembler, debugger, integrated development package available for free from the Microchip web page. 2. PICSTART PLUS, a Development Programmer from Microchip used to burn the program into the PIC Flash memory. 3. A PIC16F84 prototype board that I built on perf board. The prototype board has a pin header that brings all the 16F84 I/O pins out where they are easily accessible. It also contains a 5 Volt regulator, pin header for external power in and out, and a reset switch. The prototype board also has enough extra space for future additions. Below are some pictures of the development tools and a copy of the schematic.

Proto Board and AFA Test Circuit	PICKSTART PLUS programming a 16F84
MPLAB Development Environment	Keyer/AFA Schematic

Progress Report

Below is a list of the steps I pursued in developing the software.

Conclusion

The keyer/AFA is now standard equipment in my single band QRP rigs. There are still a few bugs in my software and there are a number of things I would like still like to do with it(like port it to a newer processor and layout a circuit board for it). Other projects are now on the front burner however so this one is probably done for now.