K1EL
WKUSB with WinKeyer3 User Manual
WKUSB
WKUSB User Manual
12/20/2017 Rev 1.0
Page 8
WKUSB FAQ #1: What is Standalone Mode and how is it different than Host Mode?
The original Serial WinKeyer1 was designed to operate only while connected to a PC, under
control of a PC based application, this is Host Mode. WinKeyer1 obtained power directly from the
PC over unused RS232 control lines; if it was disconnected from a PC, it was inoperative. Soon
hams started putting batteries in WinKeyers and using them standalone, in other words, not
connected to a PC. This spawned many requests to add features to make a standalone WK more
useful. When WKUSB was designed, we decided to include a complete ‘second’ keyer in the box
and Standalone Mode was born. This second keyer shares the core ‘K1EL Keyer Engine’ with
Host Mode but in other respects it is independent. It can operate on battery power or connected
to a PC. It has its own settings memory and 12 message slots. Commands can be issued via
paddle commands or through the use of WK3tools. Standalone settings do not influence Host
Mode settings. In Host Mode, keyer settings are stored on the PC by the application and are
loaded when you connect to WKUSB. In Standalone Mode the settings reside in EEPROM inside
WKUSB. If you disconnect from an application, WKUSB will automatically go into Standalone
mode and revert back to the saved settings from EEPROM.
WKUSB FAQ #2: Are the internal batteries required if always connected to a PC?
When WKUSB is plugged into a PC, power is automatically switched over to USB power by a
diode switch.
In other words, WKUSB can operate with or without batteries. With batteries out, you can only
use it when connected to a PC USB port. When first plugged in it will start up in standalone mode
and then change over to host mode when you start up an application that uses WKUSB. In host
mode, the PC app has control of WKUSB settings and messages. If you close the application
down, WKUSB will remain powered but will revert back to standalone mode settings. If you start
another host application up WKUSB will go back into host mode.
With batteries installed, the functionality is identical with the exception that you can unplug
WKUSB from your PC and operate independently in standalone mode. Avoid disconnecting
WKUSB while it actively controlled by a host application, this can cause the application to get
confused and possibly hang. To be safe, always close the application before removing WKUSB.
