CW side tone Flex 6500

Val DM1TX

Hi all,

I am following the discussions here about CW side tone and sending CW from a local paddle/key over the network. That is because my Flex is now in a different room not far away.

Is this sitetone available only when connecting directly the paddle to the radio (front panel in my case)? Should I also connect the speakers directly to the radio to hear this ? Or I can hear it directly in the SSDR client/Network local PC?

Thanks

73

Mike-VA3MW

The side tone is generated on the device that is sending the CW.

When you do CW using the built in WinKeyer, the CW is generated in the radio so the side tone is available on the back of the actual radio. When you plug a Key into the back of the radio, the side tone is also available on the headset/speaker jack.

When you use a Maestro, the CW side tone is available from the WinKeyer Emulator built into the Maestro.

The side tone has to come from the local keyer or the delay would make sending unusable.

I hope that explains how it works.

73

KD0RC

Hi Val, if you feel like building your own, there is the TeensyMaestro (see the thread on this community). It provides knobs, buttons and a display to control Flex 6000 radios. It also has a built-in keyer with a sidetone. Using the SoftEther VPN, it can be remotely connected and will run CW remotely.

It is not designed to replace SmartSDR, but to work in concert with it. Search GitHub for "TeensyMaestro" and you find user documentation, a bill of materials and the executable code.

No programming is necessary. Building it is just a matter of loading the firmware and connecting the wires to the controls and display. It is not difficult to build, but it is a bit tedious to get all the wires connected.

This device only has a small fraction of the capabilities of a real Maestro, so be sure to understand what it will do before deciding to build one.

If you decide to build it, post your progress on the TeensyMaestro thread.

Mike-VA3MW

Yea, bad news for us as well, but 'it is what it is' and we will do what we can to speed it up.

W2JV_

The side tone software is activated thru WinKeyer, in N1MM, the paddle is not in the loop.

73's

Peter

W2JV

Val DM1TX

Hi Peter

Thank you for your answer. I am talking sending CW directly and not through WinKeyer.

73

Val DM1TX

Thanks Mike.

As I read more it looks I have to "bite the bullet" and buy a Maestro. It would be a solution to my

problem :-)

Nevertheless thanks for clarification.

73

Mike-VA3MW

Sadly, we won't have Maestros for about 6 months.

However, the Maestro does give you those great features.

Val DM1TX

@ Mike Than you for the bad news :-( . Then I have to dig around here in DL and hopefully somenody want to part with his Maestro. What about "previously loved" equipment? It is only available in U.S. ?

@ Len. Thanks for info. I see there are passionate people here. Unfortunately my "building" talent is rather poor. Nevertheless I will follow this thread on Community.

KD0RC

Hi Val, Yes, I completely understand. Building equipment is certainly not for everyone.