QRPworks SideKar Extreme User Manual Download Page 4

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SideKar Extreme User Manual rev 2.1 Page 4 of 87

Overview

Thank you for your purchase of the QRPworks SideKar
Extreme.

Its purpose is to enhance your operating experience whether
portable or in your home shack.

It can be used with any rig, but has specific interfaces to the:



Elecraft KX3 / KX2 / K3 / K3S



Yaesu FT817 / FT-818 / FT-857 / FT-897



QRP Labs QCX family of rigs

These interfaces provide rig-specific features that are detailed
later in this manual.

In a nutshell for all rigs,



It is a message generator, allowing you to send up to 20

messages you have defined, with just a keystroke.



It is a log, with space for 1000 QSOs



The log will automatically be populated with the current

date and time, so you don’t have to enter it.



It is an ADIF export tool, allowing you to export your logged

QSOs in a standard ADIF format, which can then be
imported into most commercially available logs,



It is a log for events, such as Summits on the Air (SOTA),

Parks on the Air,

ARRL’s Field Day, etc.



It is portable, with a sunlight readable display.



It is a low current device, using little of your battery capacity



It can operate with a USB wired or wireless keyboard.



It contains the popular WinKeyer, and allows you to change

the keying mode, speed, paddle dits/dahs easily from a
keyboard. The keyer can be used with

any rig

with a

straight key input.

Summary of Contents for SideKar Extreme

Page 1: ...SideKar Extreme User Manual rev 2 1 Page 1 of 87 QRPworks SideKar Extreme User Manual ...

Page 2: ...and Sending Rig Macros 37 Editing Stored Text Messages Macros 41 Summary of Message Editing Operation 43 Stored Text Message Macro Summary 43 Reserved Message Macro Characters 44 Summary of Message Summary Operation 45 Sending a Stored Text Message without a Keyboard 45 Call Sign Entered 46 Grab Go 47 Contesting 48 Logging 52 Logging Activities using References 57 Rig Specific Features 61 LCD Back...

Page 3: ...72 Help 72 Compatibility with Other Products 73 Updating the Firmware 76 Technology 76 Support 76 Acknowledgements 76 Troubleshooting Tips 77 Appendix A QRP Labs Classic QCX CAT Port 79 Summary of Keyboard Commands 81 Summary of Logging Commands 83 Firmware Revision History 84 Index 85 ...

Page 4: ...ith just a keystroke It is a log with space for 1000 QSOs The log will automatically be populated with the current date and time so you don t have to enter it It is an ADIF export tool allowing you to export your logged QSOs in a standard ADIF format which can then be imported into most commercially available logs It is a log for events such as Summits on the Air SOTA Parks on the Air ARRL s Field...

Page 5: ...end up to 20 macros to the rig to control just about every aspect of it For the Elecraft KX and K Lines Yaesu FT portable lines and QRP Labs QCX rigs It offers the Quick QSY feature allowing you to change frequency and mode very easily from a keyboard Frequency and Mode are automatically populated in the log The SideKar Extreme provides many features for the portable operator whether out on the tr...

Page 6: ...3 just by changing a few simple brackets KX3 Installation The SideKar Extreme is designed to mount on the right side of the KX3 above the antenna BNC connector 1 On the right side of the KX3 remove the black flat head Philips screw in the upper back position closest to the A B button 2 Install the supplied shoulder screw and clear washer already on the screw in place of the screw removed Do not ov...

Page 7: ...Kar Extreme User Manual rev 2 1 Page 7 of 87 3 Loosen but do not remove the thumbscrew for the KX3 right foot Fold the KX3 foot under the KX3 so it is not extended Install supplied shoulder screw and washer ...

Page 8: ... thumbscrew as shown Tighten the thumbscrew so the bracket is snug The bracket edge should be even with the side of the SideKar Extreme Note the bracket is not symmetrical The longer slot goes against the SideKar Extreme and the shorter slot goes against the KX3 If it is reversed the SideKar Extreme can slide down too far and hit the antenna BNC connector Thumbscrew installed for the KX3 mount ...

Page 9: ... 1 Page 9 of 87 6 Position the SideKar Extreme so the installed shoulder screw on the KX3 is in the round portion of the keyed slot and flat against the KX3 Shorter slot Longer slot This hole is not used Do Not insert a screw in it not ...

Page 10: ...own until the notch at the bottom of the SideKar Extreme bracket is under the KX3 s thumbscrew head If the SideKar Extreme hits the BNC connector the bracket is installed backwards Remove it and put the longer slot against the SideKar Extreme Align the Shoulder Screw in the round opening ...

Page 11: ...r Extreme User Manual rev 2 1 Page 11 of 87 4 Lightly tighten the KX3 thumbscrew and then swing the KX3 foot out to further tighten the foot The SideKar Extreme should now be snug against the side of the KX3 ...

Page 12: ... the holes in the back of the KX2 as shown 2 If not already installed install 2 supplied thumbscrews in the bottom outside 2 holes in the SideKar Extreme Install the 2 KX2 brackets under the thumbscrews as shown Note that the brackets are not symmetrical The longer side goes on the SideKar Extreme The shorter side will be on the KX2 Install the swinging foot on one of the SideKar Extreme brackets ...

Page 13: ... 1 Page 13 of 87 3 Slide the 2 brackets on the SideKar Extreme under the thumbscrews on the back of the KX2 Tighten the thumbscrews Short side against the KX2 Long side against the SideKar Extreme Long Side against the SideKar Extreme ...

Page 14: ...SideKar Extreme User Manual rev 2 1 Page 14 of 87 ...

Page 15: ...reme on a surface without mounting it on a rig a tall leg is recommended It s available at www QRPworks com Remove the small flat head screw at the top center of the SideKar Extreme Install the tall leg with a thumbscrew in its place Flat head screw removed Tall leg installed with a thumbscrew ...

Page 16: ...one using the double ended right angle 3 5mm cable supplied or equivalent Plug one end in the QCX CAT port and the other end in the SideKar Extreme s FT Q port located on the right side of the SideKar Extreme Do NOT plug it into the RS232 Rig port on the top of the SideKar Extreme The QCX CAT port is 5 volts not RS232 levels The QCX firmware required is version 1 06 and higher Connections KX3 KX2 ...

Page 17: ...e SideKar Extreme 1 Use a serial cable from the rig s ACC port 8 pin DIN to the SideKar Extreme s Rig FT Q port on the right side This is a custom cable with no driver electronics inside available from QRPworks Note Do not connect an RS232 connection to this 5 volt maximum port as an RS232 port exceeds 5 volts and will damage the SideKar Extreme 2 Use a cable from the rig s ACC port 8 pin DIN to t...

Page 18: ...d or wireless keyboard may be used The wireless keyboard must be a 2 4 GHz wireless keyboard and NOT a Bluetooth keyboard Repeat NOT Bluetooth Plug the wireless receiver dongle received with the keyboard into the KBD port The micro USB jack labeled PC is used for transferring log files from the SideKar Extreme to the PC for transferring messages rig macros and for loading new software into the Sid...

Page 19: ... 4f pdf Note QCX Classic revision 5 already has the resistors and diode included on the board All you need is the connector If the SideKar Extreme is ordered specifying the QCX Classic as the rig a free CAT Port Kit is included QCX and QCX Mini s already have the CAT port installed Nothing further is needed NOTE The QCX and QSX must always be connected to the FT Q port on the SideKar Extreme NOT t...

Page 20: ...P3 KPA500 KPA1500 Connections The SideKar Extreme is always at the end of the serial connections Basically it takes the place of a PC So it gets connected where the PC would be connected If a PX3 is used and no KXPA100 connect the SideKar Extreme RIG RS232 port to the PX3 s ACC1 PC port If a KXPA100 amp is used connect the SideKar Extreme RIG RS232 port to the KXPA100 s RS232 PC port See the speci...

Page 21: ...ngs are needed Keyboard Choices The SideKar Extreme can be used with a wired or wireless USB keyboard Please note that the wireless keyboard must be a 2 4 GHz wireless keyboard and NOT a Bluetooth keyboard Plug the wireless receiver dongle received with the keyboard into the KBD port The SideKar Extreme can use a USA or UK keyboard Pressing Alt K will toggle between the two In the SideKar Extreme ...

Page 22: ...rnal WinKeyer will then be initialized Upon success you will see If you see this screen instead the WinKeyer initialization has failed Re starting the SideKar Extreme typically resolves this If not and the screen persists please contact QRPworks The SideKar Extreme will then automatically attempt to connect with the rig via its serial port 38400 baud is the required speed It will try 9 times befor...

Page 23: ...onnection is established after the SideKar Extreme sends a command to the rig and the rig responds appropriately If the Elecraft rig is in the text mode and is displaying characters in the lower right of the screen the SideKar Extreme will automatically show the characters If the rig is not decoding and displaying characters then the SideKar Extreme screen will be blank If the SideKar Extreme does...

Page 24: ...lly at startup When you see the following screen hold both buttons until the screen changes as follows SKX Hold 2 Buttons Now The screen will then show Then tap either button to scroll through the list of functions until you see the one you want Now hold the button of your choice until you see Button 1 Set or Button 2 Set The function is now assigned to the button you held and will be remembered e...

Page 25: ...gged Same as Alt L then F 7 Manage Refs Enter edit i e SOTA references Same as Alt P then M 8 Quick QSY Commands the rig to go a freq and mode specified Same as Alt Q 9 Enter Call Enter a call to be used in messages and the log Same as Alt C 10 Serial Nbr Enter contest serial number Same as Alt N 11 Rig Status Shows rig s voltage current temp KX2 KX3 K3 K3S only Same as Alt S 12 SideKar Extreme Vo...

Page 26: ... the left right arrows on the keyboard or press Alt Y and enter a specific speed Each press of the left arrow decreases the speed 2 wpm and a press of the right arrow increases the speed 2 wpm The left right arrows can be used while the Alt Y screen is displayed Paddle Swap changes the paddle from dits on the left and dahs on the right to the opposite Press Alt X to toggle between the 2 options Ke...

Page 27: ...s the recommended setup as rig control and displaying decoded characters will be available In this mode the WinKeyer functions from the keyboard are NOT available Use the rig s controls instead 2 No Connection from the SideKar Extreme to the rig via the ACC port Plug your paddle into the PADDLE port on the right side of the SideKar Extreme and connect a mono or stereo cable with 3 5mm connectors r...

Page 28: ...plug your paddle into the PADDLE port on the right side of the SideKar Extreme and connect a mono or stereo cable with 3 5mm connectors right angle is best from the KEYOUT port to your rig s key input Set the rig to straight key for the paddle keying mode In this manner the keying is done by the WinKeyer and the functions above speed mode paddle swap are all accessible from the keyboard From Paddl...

Page 29: ...ion mode will now be controlled by the SideKar Extreme 3 Type on the keyboard The SideKar Extreme will send the character you typed to the rig As you type you will key the rig and the SideKar Extreme display will show what characters have been sent The ALT E command toggles whether you see transmitted characters or not Connect the KeyOut to your rig s key input Set the rig to have a straight key i...

Page 30: ...buffered characters set by the user is reached via ALT O In this mode you may Backspace to correct text When characters are buffered not sent to the rig yet the Status LED will be flashing Immediate Mode To set the transmitting mode to Immediate Press Alt O Enter a 1 for the number of characters To transmit text simply type on the keyboard Sending has priority so any time a key is pressed on the k...

Page 31: ...eKar Extreme display and be sent to the rig when 1 The number of buffered characters typed reaches the number set using ALT O or 2 Or the Enter key is pressed If you see something on the bottom line to change just Backspace to correct it When characters are buffered and not yet sent to the rig the Status LED will be flashing indicating so So if you are typing and finish your sentence and the LED i...

Page 32: ...case The SideKar Extreme uses the same features in the rig and the result as you might have guessed is the same All characters are sent lower case regardless of whether you type upper or lower case on the keyboard Note While buffering the characters they are not being sent and the person on the receiving side of your QSO will not receive anything So you may want to choose the number of buffered ch...

Page 33: ...You can create and edit messages and rig macros from your PC or Mac by using the QRPworks Message Management Utility program available free on the QRPworks com website click on Support It allows you to define 200 messages macros in 10 named sets with each set containing 20 messages macros You can save the sets on your PC or Mac and download a selected set of 20 messages to the SideKar Extreme all ...

Page 34: ...e last character has been sent To have the rig go back to receive immediately after the last character has been sent add a vertical bar at the end of the message without the quotes It s especially useful when contesting Example 5NN CO When finished press the F12 or ALT Z key again or Enter to save the changes and return to the normal mode The Status LED will go out and you will see the following s...

Page 35: ...nd is not sent to the rig Everything to the right of the colon will be sent to the rig as text and transmitted It s recommended to keep the names short as the space for the characters used are shared with the 80 characters used for the message The longer the name the less room you will have for the message Example Call CQ CQ CQ CQ de KF0UR Note If naming a Grab Go message the symbol to indicate it...

Page 36: ...s it is being sent by the rig If you press an F key more than once or multiple F keys in sequence the messages will be sent in sequence chained This is useful for instance if you want to send a longer CQ If the message stored in F1 is CQ CQ CQ CQ CQ DE KF0UR KF0UR KF0UR Pressing F1 twice will result in the following message CQ CQ CQ CQ CQ DE KF0UR KF0UR KF0UR CQ CQ CQ CQ CQ DE KF0UR KF0UR KF0UR ...

Page 37: ...the power level turn off RIT and XIT say for PSK31 or RTTY Put the rig into Split mode with VFO B 1 kHz above VFO A For the KX3 the macros can be written in the KX3 Utility and two of the macros can be assigned to the PF1 or PF2 buttons on the KX3 The SideKar Extreme expands that by allowing you to create and store 20 macros 80 characters each in the SideKar Extreme and executing them with a simpl...

Page 38: ...n use the SideKar Extreme keyboard as follows In the normal mode Status LED is off press F12 or ALT Z The LED will now be flashing slowly indicating you are in the Edit mode The screen will prompt you to press a key F1 through F10 or Alt F1 through Alt F10 o If no macro has been stored previously you will see empty just start typing o If a message or macro has been previously stored it will be dis...

Page 39: ...t command with a period FA00014012000 Note The semi colon at the end of the Elecraft command is part of the command All Elecraft macros commands end with a semi colon When finished press the F12 or ALT Z key again to save the changes and return to the real time mode The Status LED will go out and you will see the following message briefly o If you want to cancel the editing of a macro press the ES...

Page 40: ... the same as naming Text Messages It s advised to keep the names short as the space for the characters used are shared with the 80 characters used for commands The longer the name the less room you will have for commands For more information on macros and a complete list of commands please see the Elecraft Programmers Reference manuals in the Manuals and Downloads section of the Elecraft website M...

Page 41: ...he right of the last character o If at maximum characters the cursor will move to the last character Arrow Left moves the cursor one character to the left Arrow Right moves the cursor one character to the right o If at maximum characters the cursor will not move past the last character Arrow Up moves the cursor one line up Arrow Down moves the cursor one line down but not past the last character E...

Page 42: ...e are more characters than allowed for the message or macro the character at the end will be truncated as new characters are added Messages and macros can be 80 characters Note the Win key can be used instead or the Ins key This is to accommodate small keyboards without Ins key ...

Page 43: ...ss F12 or Enter Message saved then back to normal mode Off Edit Message Mode Press ESC Cancel Edit message Back to normal mode Off Stored Text Message Macro Summary If you don t recall which text message or macro is stored where the SideKar Extreme can help While in the normal mode Status LED off press Page Down or Page Up on the keyboard and the first 16 characters of the first 4 messages or macr...

Page 44: ...s The following characters are reserved for special purposes and cannot be used as normal characters in text messages or rig macros exclamation point used to substitute the other station s call pound sign used to substitute a contest serial number at symbol used to indicate it s a Grab Go message period as the first character used to indicate the stored data is a rig macro not a text message It s ...

Page 45: ...16 characters of the next 2 messages macros are shown Off Message Summary Mode Press Page Up or Arrow up First 16 characters of the previous 2 messages macros are shown Off Message Summary Mode Press ESC Back to normal mode Off Sending a Stored Text Message without a Keyboard You can assign functions Send Msg 1 and Send Msg 2 to the PB1 or PB2 buttons to immediately send message 1 or 2 See Using t...

Page 46: ...essing Alt C Enter up to 10 characters with the keyboard or paddle Backspace to make changes In any of the 20 SideKar Extreme messages use the exclamation point where you want the other station s call to appear To Save it press Enter on the keyboard To Erase it press Alt W wipe Example Press Alt C and enter KB3SII In message 1 enter de KF0UR The SideKar Extreme will then send KB3SII de KF0UR Press...

Page 47: ...nd with the contest exchange stored in message F2 To define any message as a Grab Go message place a as the first character of the message Example TU 599 CO If you name you message put the after the colon as the first character of the message to be sent Example Exchange TU 599 CO where Exchange is the name of the message and is not sent Then when you press F2 you will be prompted to enter a call t...

Page 48: ...he new features focus on Duplicate Dupe Checking Here s why When operating QRP a contester is more likely to be in the Search Pounce S P mode looking for QSOs as opposed to the Run mode on one frequency waiting for others to answer your CQ In the S P mode when you hear a call you want to know if you ve worked the station already The new feature will tell you that If a station has already been work...

Page 49: ... in the log are checked for Dupes 3 If a duplicate is found DUPE will be displayed for a few seconds 4 You can still log the duplicate QSO if you like 5 Once you enter a call and hit TAB the call is saved internally not logged yet and can be used in messages same as using Alt C or Grab Go Remember to hit TAB and not ENTER ENTER will save the QSO in the log as always 6 You can press an F key to sen...

Page 50: ...ons call Example Let s say F2 is used to send an exchange o First enter 599 CO without the quotes in message F2 W1ABC calls you Use ALT C to enter the other station s call W1ABC and press Enter Then pressing F2 will send W1ABC 599 CO OR by using Grab Go W1ABC calls you Press F2 and type or Key board W1ABC W1ABC is sent on the air as you type or Key board it Press Enter F2 again 599 CO is then sent...

Page 51: ...should be used at the beginning of a contest or if you need to set the number at any time The maximum QSO number is 32000 If you get close to that number in a contest you re doing very well The SideKar Extreme will increment the serial number when you log the contact If you are not using the SideKar Extreme log then Press Alt I increment to increment the number by one If you ve incremented by mist...

Page 52: ... eliminated This allows you to enter the call and immediately press a function key to send a message such as KF0UR TU ur 599 CO to respond to someone quickly 2 When saving a log entry there is a screen to inform you the save was successful The time Saving QSO xx is reduced so after logging you can very quickly send the next message such as TU de KF0UR QRZ To access the DXpedition mode press Alt A ...

Page 53: ...rrow Down to find the next earlier QSO A wildcard character can be used as well Example Finding W1AB will find all log entries for W1AB Finding W1AB will find W1AB and also W1ABC Once a QSO is found it can be edited and saved by Pressing Enter The QSO may be deleted by pressing Alt X Note that deleting the QSO does not remove it from the log Instead the call is changed to Deleted and will not be o...

Page 54: ...s selection screen is to output the data with the proper ADIF field name For example SOTA Refs need to use the ADIF tag MY_SOTA_REF IOTA needs to use the ADIF tag MY_IOTA Selecting the reference type selects the proper ADIF tag for output See the QRPworks ADIF Utility manual on the QRPworks website under Support Utilities for more information on creating an ADIF file C to erase the entire log You ...

Page 55: ...thin a field use the left right arrows home or end or backspace Press Insert to toggle between the insert flashing cursor or overtype modes same as editing messages and macros Press Enter to save the QSO Call Enter the call worked Maximum 10 characters Enter either upper or lower case The SideKar Extreme will convert it to upper case This is a required field Exch Enter the exchange Maximum 10 char...

Page 56: ...haracter is found the Exchange is RST_RCVD As shown in the table of examples the Exchange does not have to be a traditional 599 signal report Examples Exch data in the log ADIF RST_RCVD ADIF RST_SENT 579 579 blank 579 459 579 459 589 blank 589 001 NY 022 CO 001 NY 022 CO Also new in ADIF Utility v1 9 are 2 new ADIF fields Call Sign if entered in the Utility Band When enter the date in yyyymmdd for...

Page 57: ...F Islands on the Air IOTA Lighthouses Grids And any other activity that uses any kind of reference or you simply want to designate as a separate activity By reference we mean a published identifier used within the activity to report activations collect points etc Example SOTA uses Summit References i e W0 FR 001 IOTA uses island reference numbers i e AF 041 plus there are Grids Lighthouses and oth...

Page 58: ...e Use a colon to separate the reference from your note This can be used as a handy reminder when looking at a list of references and trying to recall what they are Example for Pikes Peak W0 FR 004 Pikes Where W0 FR 004 is the official SOTA reference and will be stored in the log and Pikes after the colon is just a reminder for you and will not be stored in the log To select which reference is acti...

Page 59: ...rence Note that the difference between pressing R reference vs A ADIF File is that A will export all QSOs while R will export only those QSOs for the active reference If a QSO was logged with the wrong reference selected the correction is easy Just selected the proper reference Alt P then M then arrow up down or tab to the proper reference then Alt S to select it Now go to the log find the QSO and...

Page 60: ...election screen is to output the data with the proper ADIF field name For example SOTA Refs need to use the ADIF tag MY_SOTA_REF IOTA needs to use the ADIF tag MY_IOTA Selecting the reference type selects the proper ADIF tag for output Note Once an ADIF export is done you ll need to reset the rig and SideKar Extreme to resume normal operations The easiest way to do this is to power both off then p...

Page 61: ... always CW as it is a CW only rig To use it press Alt Q The screen will then prompt you for the frequency and the format required is also displayed Optionally you can change modes as well by adding a single letter on the end of the frequency The modes available are as follows Mode KX3 KX2 K3 K3S Letter to add FT 8xx Letter to add CW C C USB U U LSB L L PSK31 P P RTTY R D AM A A FM F F CW REV W W D...

Page 62: ...ovative rig feature whereby the rig decodes incoming data and displays the decoded text on a scrolling 8 character display at the bottom right of the rig s screen The data could be PSK31 PSK63 RTTY or CW It doesn t matter The SideKar Extreme captures these characters as they are decoded and displays them on an 80 character screen for easier reading By displaying 80 characters at a time you can rea...

Page 63: ...s may be useful when using the PX3 panadapter and viewing the decoded text on it instead Some users prefer to see the decoded text on the PX3 but use the messaging macros and log on the SideKar Extreme Press Alt T to toggle between receiving decoded text or not The default is to receive text and is set to receiving the text each time the SideKar Extreme is powered up Also the SideKar Extreme remov...

Page 64: ...eal time receiving you ll see the most recent text received To scroll back to view the previously saved lines up to 8 while in the Freeze Scroll mode amber LED is on HOLD the button assigned to Freeze The SideKar Extreme will scroll back line by line at approximately 1 line per second until you get to the end of the scrolling 8 lines Release the Hold button to stop scrolling Hold it again to resum...

Page 65: ...l rev 2 1 Page 65 of 87 Resuming Real time Receiving To resume real time receiving while in the Freeze Scroll mode TAP the Freeze button again Or if using a keyboard press Alt F or ESC You will briefly see the following message ...

Page 66: ...n Freeze Scroll Release button Scrolling stops where it is On Freeze Scroll Hold button again Scrolling resumes from where it was stopped On Freeze Scroll Arrow up down Scroll up down 1 line per press On Freeze Scroll Page up down Scroll up down 1 page per press On Freeze Scroll Tap button or Alt F or ESC Back to real time receiving Off Transmitting Applicable to Elecraft KX2 KX3 K3 K3S Yaesu FT 8...

Page 67: ...lecraft rigs assuming the SideKar Extreme is interfaced with the rig cable plugged in between ACC port and RIG RS232 port the rig will transmit the text in whatever mode the rig is set to In other words if the rig is set to PSK D it will send PSK31 or PSK63 depending on the VFO A setting on the rig if it is set to FSK D it will send RTTY If it is set to CW it will send CW You just type and the Sid...

Page 68: ...g 3 higher levels are more suitable when not running on a battery To adjust the brightness press Alt B Each press of Alt B will go to the next level of brightness from off to bright The brightness selected is remembered in EEPROM so the next time you turn on the SideKar Extreme it will start at the last brightness selected Voltage Check To display the power supply voltage of the SideKar Extreme pr...

Page 69: ...tically used by the logging function to record the date and time of each QSO With the SideKar Extreme on in the normal receiving mode press Alt D o Enter the Date in yyyymmdd format o Enter the 24 hour time in hhmm format o Switch between date and time using the Tab key o Backspace to erase existing data ...

Page 70: ...ARD ALWAYS SUPPORT THE BATTERY HOLDER BY HOLDING IT DOWN ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BATTERY HOLDER AND PRYING THE BATTERY UP BY TWISTING A SMALL SCREWDRIVER BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND THE BATTERY HOLDER Twist so the right side as shown in the picture below comes out first This is the side that does not have the connection on top Turn off the SideKar Extreme Remove the bottom cover screws Carefully pry out ...

Page 71: ...he screwdriver between the battery and the holder to pop the battery out Do NOT lift or pull the battery up It might pull the battery holder off of the PC board Hold the battery holder down while twisting the screwdriver to be sure Twist so the right side which doesn t have contact on top of the battery comes up first Important reminder DO NOT put any upward force on the battery holder ...

Page 72: ... connected Help For help in remembering SideKar Extreme commands press F11 or ALT H A summary of the features and commands will be shown Press Page Up or Page Down to scroll through the list Note the Up and Down arrow keys can be used for the Page Up and Page Down functions here respectively This is to accommodate small keyboards without Page Up Down keys A summary of commands can be found at the ...

Page 73: ...End Panels SideKar Extreme is compatible with SideKX end panels There is no need to remove them KXPA100 The KXPA100 works a little differently than the PX3 with regards to other devices in the serial port ACC chain Here s how to use the SideKar Extreme with a KXPA100 Tnx to Tim KD8KYK For the KX3 with KXPA100 amplifier start with the KX3 connected to the amplifier as described in the Elecraft manu...

Page 74: ...KX3 to KXPA100 adapter cable setup used as described in the aforementioned KX3 amplifier set up section The KX2ACBL adapter is needed because the KX2 has only one ACC port Start with the KX2 connected to the KXPA100 amplifier using the KX2ACBL adapter connected to the KX3 to KXPA100 adapter at one end and the other end plugged into the ACC port of the KX2 Unplug the 3 5mm serial data from the KX2A...

Page 75: ...me User Manual rev 2 1 Page 75 of 87 You will no longer be controlling the amplifier using the PA mode On Off from the KX2 menu Note Pressing the ATU button on the KX2 will still tune the KXPA100 amplifier as before ...

Page 76: ...is a PIC microcontroller It is a computer on a chip complete with CPU memory and EEPROM Firmware running on the microcontroller controls the presentation and all functions of the SideKar Extreme There s a lot of stuff going on Support If for any reason you have questions or issues regarding the SideKar Extreme please contact us via the www QRPworks com Contact page Acknowledgements We would like t...

Page 77: ...e SideKar Extreme 2 I m using a USB wireless keyboard but it does not work Make sure it is a 2 4 GHz wireless keyboard and not a Bluetooth keyboard 3 Elecraft The SideKar Extreme is connected but no received text is appearing Ensure that the rig s Text Decoding feature is turned on and you see characters scrolling on the rig s display in the lower right hand corner See the rig s Owner s Manual for...

Page 78: ...FO B Text Decode ON hold Data Text button o For CW Mode CW tap Mode 1 button Data MD not applicable Text Decode ON hold Data Text button 4 Elecraft When I send using a keyboard or a paddle the rig is sending the characters but I don t see the sent characters on the SideKar Extreme screen regardless of the Alt E echo characters setting Make sure the KX3 firmware is at MCU version 2 19 or later ...

Page 79: ...ed to add the 3 5mm connector QCX and QCX Mini have the CAT port installed already Nothing further is needed NOTE The QCX and QSX must always be connected to the FT Q port on the SideKar Extreme NOT the RS 232 port on the top QRPworks is not responsible for any damage to the SideKar Extreme or the QCX if the wrong serial port is used This schematic can also be found on our website at www QRPworks ...

Page 80: ...SideKar Extreme User Manual rev 2 1 Page 80 of 87 ...

Page 81: ...etween Echoing seeing sent characters or not Alt F Freeze display Alt H Display Help Alt I Increment the contest serial number Alt K Toggle between US and UK Keyboards Alt L Go to Log functions Alt M Select the Keyer Mode Iambic A B etc Alt N Display Set the contest serial Number Alt O Set transmit buffer Option Alt P References ex SOTA Peaks Alt Q Quick QSY Alt R Reset the SideKar Extreme Alt S S...

Page 82: ...ed Alt Z Same as F12 edit message or macro F12 then F1 to F10 Edit text messages macros 1 10 F12 then Alt F1 to AltF10 Edit text messages macros 11 20 F1 to F10 Send text messages macros 1 10 Alt F1 to Alt F10 Send text messages macros 11 20 F11 or Alt H Help F12 or Alt Z Enter Edit Mode While in Edit mode save message or macro Page Up Down or Arrow Up Down Display text message macro summary ...

Page 83: ...cter Up Arrow Go up one row Down Arrow Go down one row Left Arrow Go left one character Right Arrow Go right one character Insert Toggle mode insert or replace Summary of Logging Commands TAB or up down arrows Move from field to field Enter Save the QSO Alt Arrow Down Find Next QSO after first is found Alt X Delete the QSO displayed ...

Page 84: ...Changes 2 0 1 Initial production release 2 0 2 Minor screen fix when Checking for Dupes for Field Day and no dupe is found 2 0 3 Minor fix when logging then wiping the call Alt W and then backspacing 2 1 6 Add an interface to the QRP Labs QCX family of rigs plus a minor display bug fix ...

Page 85: ... message 33 D DC power 18 Desktop installation 15 Dxpedition mode 52 E editing a rig macro 32 38 editing a text message 33 editing mode 41 editor 41 F firmware revision history 84 firmware updates 76 firmware version 22 G Grab Go 47 H help 72 I immediate xmit mode 30 K K3 connecting to 22 connections 16 K3s connecting to 22 connections 17 keyboard 18 21 keyboard commands Alt F1 F10 33 Alt A 48 52 ...

Page 86: ... 38 microcontroller 76 N naming rig macros 35 39 no current message 34 38 O overview 4 P PX3 connection 20 Q QCX CAT Port 79 connections 19 settings 21 Quick QSY 61 66 R references 57 reserved characters 44 reset 72 rig macros 37 40 41 S save message 34 38 sending a rig macro 41 sending a stored message 35 serial number 48 serial port 16 17 22 set date and time 24 69 setup 16 starting up 21 22 sta...

Page 87: ... support 76 system reset 72 T transmitting text buffered xmit mode 30 transmitting text immediate xmit mode 30 troubleshooting tips 77 U updating the firmware 76 V voltage check 68 Y Yaesu FT 817 818 857 897 installation 16 Yaesu FT 817 818 857 897 connections 17 settings 21 ...

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