Progress on MK-1 firmware version 1.2x
(Updated 1/1/10)
I’m working on the next minor release now. A few very minor bug fixes, and few new features and improvements:
- Improved keyboard mode to allow the use of a USB keyboard or the computer. When selecting keyboard mode (buttons 3 & 6), the USB keyboard will be checked first and will be used if it’s present. If there is no USB keyboard but a PC host is attached, then the PC will be used.
- A USB numeric keypad is supported. With NUM LOCK on, it works as a regular keypad. With NUM LOCK off, it lets you quickly switch memory banks and send messages. These keypads are available for well under $10 on eBay – I think I paid about $5 for mine shipped from Hong Kong.
- I am adding an auto-start option for beacon use. You can have message #1 of the current bank auto-start when power is applied. The command is the same as the PicoKeyer – /A as the first two characters of the message.
- Text sent from the paddles will include spaces when it is echoed back to the PC host. So far this has not been an issue, but this change will more closely emulate the behavior of the K1EL Winkeyer.
- I’m working on a couple more new features I’m not ready to discuss at the moment.
- If you are an MK-1 user who also owns a K3, please contact me. I need one or more K3 owners who would be willing to do a little testing for a potential new feature.
I don’t have a firm schedule as yet, but I hope to be able to make the new version available for testing in the next few weeks.
