CW prosigns

The most common telegraphy prosigns shown in the following table were programmed as ALT-keys :

AR	Alt-A
BK	Alt-B
CL	Alt-C
KN	Alt-K
KA	Alt-O
SK	Alt-S
AS	Alt-W
VE	Alt-V
WR	Alt-Q  (Internet "@")

The contest check number

This feature is not made for top contesters but rather for radio amateurs who only take part in a contest from time to time, e.g. to hunt some DX. The microprossesor software does not allow saving qso data and does not check duplicate logs.

4 Bytes in RAM are reserved to keep the contest number. The number can be incremented/decremented by the keys "+" and "-" (numeric key pad). To set an initial value enter the following sequence:

ESC  F9  0087

The number is automatically saved after entering the last digit. Number "zero" is configurable as "0" or as "T". To toggle between formats use number "5" on the numeric keyboard field. Contest numbers below 1000 are generally transmitted as 3 digits.

Automatic incrementation can be achieved by programming (for instance memory F4) with 599  +  F9. Every recall of F4 first increments the check number and then sends it. F4 was chosen to allow concatenation with the quick memory, i.e the call sign, which was typed before into the quick memory is preceeded the text of F4. The current check number value is sended out if you hit F9 particularly advantageous for instance if you are requested by the QSO partner to repeat it.


Correction with BACKSPACE

Typos are correctable as usual with BACKSPACE. In normal QSO mode characters that are still waiting in the buffer for CW transmission can be deleted prematurely.


Overflow indication

In programming mode keyboard LEDs flash to indicate overflow if more characters are written than memory space is available. Typing very fast while sending is underway can cause an overflow of the type-ahead buffer (64 bytes). In this case the Num-Lock-LED is already warning when 5 characters free space is still left in the buffer but under normal circumstances it is hardly imaginable to reach such a state.


EEPROM contents check

When the CWKtiny powers up parameter settings of the last session are loaded whereby incorrect parameters are replaced by default values. This allows inserting a new (empty) EEPROM without hanging up the software, for instance to prepare different EEPROMs for different purposes.


Cyclic text repetition

This function is meant for producing CQ loops, beacon transmissions or to send out test signals operatorless.
Pressing F11 before one of the memory keys (F1 ... F8) or the SHIFT key, repeats the contents of a standard memory or the quick memory continuously. The cycle time is adjustable in steps of 1 sec between 0 ... 240 sec (default: 10 sec). To set a new time type in:

F11  008  (e.g. for 8 seconds)

The value is stored after entering the third digit whilst the Scroll Lock LED is switching off. Do not forget the leading "0"s . All values greater than 240 are transformed to the maximum value 240.

For example, the following sequence would send the text of F1 every 8 seconds:

F11  F1

If the quick memory is used for a beacon transmission and would contain, e.g., the character sequence F1 F2 F3 F4, the memory contents of F1 to F4 are concatenated and can be recalled by

F11 SHIFT

This feature belongs still to the experimental part of the software and is only usable with certain qualifications, see "Bugs & Infos"

To attain an automatic beacon restart after power loss the device can be brought into auto beacon mode as follows.

1) program the beacon text to one of the memories F1..F8 (e.g. F4)
2) start the transmission by entering F11 F4
3) press TAB to stop the beacon
4) press F11 A (beacon is running again) and power off the device

When omitting steps 1) to 3) the beacon which has been started last will be taken.

The volatile "quick memory" is not suitable in "auto beacon mode" as it losts its content in powerless state. Return to normal mode as usual with TAB. The keyboard can be removed from PS/2 socket in "auto beacon mode" but be aware, if the beacon text contains commands that switch on keyboard LEDs a software hang up is caused due to the missing reply of the keyboard.