No workshop pics this time... as the process was pretty similar to my "home made designer key" the "GEMSKEY"...
This time, I added a vertical striker from an earth pin from a 5 amp UK power plug. and a "crystal" knob.... together with a couple of plastic tubes to hold up the cross member for the vertical striker .
Blue led`s in the base of the tubes and a green led in a small hole drilled into the base of the knob.
all wired up "in parallel"... and then wired, by separate lead, to pins 5 & 7 of the USB to Serial Converter DB9 plug.
Now, when this is in use, it flashes at the same rate as I am sending.... SURPRISE SURPRISE... it also flashes when a distant station transmits too ! !!... I wasn`t expecting that... but hey ! .. no complaints ! ! .
The key functions as a "normal" key using pins 4 & 6... so the led`s can be unplugged independently of the normal keying function.
Interestingly... when CWCOM is "disconnected"... it remains unlit... but as soon as CWCOM is CLOSED DOWN... the key lights up on a permanent "mark"... a good reminder to unplug it ! ! !..
Here is a short video.... the GREEN LED in the knob does not show up too well, and the BLUE LED`s seem to be a bit too bright on the movie... but they do light up the whole length of the plastic tube by refraction !...
Great Fun...
