KH1 Elecraft Handheld Portable Transceiver User Guide

KH1 Elecraft Handheld Portable Transceiver

Product Information

Specifications

• Product Name: Elecraft KH1 Programmer’s Reference
• Revision: A
• Date: Oct. 20, 2023

Overview

The Elecraft KH1 Programmer’s Reference is designed to support 100% remote control of the KH1 radio. This feature is primarily used for updating firmware and automated factory testing. It can also be utilized to operate the radio using custom software in
various applications, including HF-Pack Lite and antenna feed point placement.

Computer Interface

The KH1 can be controlled through the KEY/DATA jack using a KXUSB cable and a terminal emulator or software application. To enable this remote control, the MENU:KEY JACK setting must be set to RS232. The serial interface baud rate is fixed at 9600b.

When the KEY/DATA jack is used for remote control, it cannot be simultaneously used with a keyer paddle or hand key. However, there is a host command (HK) available to simulate CW keying, as if using a hand key. This command is used during manual or factory alignment procedures but can also be utilized for CW transmission, replacing the physical key or keyer paddle. The software application would be responsible for ASCII to CW translation and/or providing a keying input device.

Command Types

The KH1 remote-control commands fall into three categories: UI emulation, ID/firmware load, and parametric commands. A help command (H) is also available to list all commands.

UI Emulation

Commands such as EN (encoder), DS (display), HK (hand key), MN (menu), and SW (switch) emulate the user interface (UI) of the radio. These commands are context-dependent and can be used to access menu entries or simulate radio operation. They extend the remote control capabilities of the radio in the absence of specific parametric commands.

Example:
To retrieve the filter number, you can use the following sequence: SW1H; (bring up RCVR functions) followed by DS1; (read line 1 of the display). To set the filter number to 2, you can then send the command SWT2;.

Parametric

Parametric commands such as AG (AF gain), MD (mode), and FA (frequency) behave similarly to commands on other Elecraft transceivers like KX2 and KX3. In most cases, only SET commands are provided since the KH1 does not have auto-info capability (AI) and is not intended to support applications like HRD. If needed, a GET operation can be simulated by using a display read command (DS command). For example, to obtain the operating frequency, you can read line 1 of the LCD.

Change History

The change history for the Elecraft KH1 Programmer’s Reference manual is not provided in the text extract.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: What is the purpose of the KH1 Programmer’s Reference manual?
  A: The KH1 Programmer’s Reference manual is primarily used for updating firmware and automated factory testing of the KH1 radio. It also provides information on remote control capabilities and custom software usage.

• Q: Can I use a keyer paddle or hand key while the KH1 is remotely controlled?
  A: No, when the KH1 is being controlled remotely through the KEY/DATA jack, it cannot be simultaneously used with a keyer paddle or hand key. However, you can simulate CW keying using the HK command.

• Q: Are there any limitations to the KH1 command set compared to other Elecraft transceivers?
  A: Yes, the KH1 command set is more limited compared to other Elecraft transceivers. However, UI emulation commands can be used to extend remote control capabilities.

• Q: How can I retrieve the operating frequency using a remote control?
  A: To obtain the operating frequency, you can use a display read command (DS command) to read line 1 of the LCD.

OVERVIEW

The KH1 supports 100% remote control. This feature is primarily intended for updating firmware and for automated factory testing (see the Elecraft KH1 Alignment Manual for manual procedures). That said, it could also be used to operate the radio using custom software, in applications ranging from “HF-Pack Lite” to putting the KH1 at an antenna feedpoint.
KH1 commands consist of one or two letters followed by zero or more parameters. There is some overlap with the command sets from other Elecraft transceivers. But in general the KH1 command set is more limited.

COMPUTER INTERFACE
The KH1 can be controlled through the KEY/DATA jack using a KXUSB cable and a terminal emulator or software application. MENU:KEY JACK must be set to RS232. The serial interface baud rate is 9600b (fixed).
When the KEY/DATA jack is being used for remote control, it is not available for use with a keyer paddle or hand key. However, there’s a host command (HK) that can be used to simulate CW keying, as if using a hand key. This is used during manual or factory alignment procedures, but it could be used for CW transmission, replacing the key or keyer paddle. The software application would be responsible for ASCII to CW translation and/or could provide a keying input device.

COMMAND TYPES
There are three categories of KH1 remote-control commands: UI emulation, ID/firmware load, and parametric. There’s also a “help” command that lists available commands in terse form (H).

EMULATION:
The EN (encoder), DS (display), HK (hand key), MN (menu), and SW (switch) commands emulate the UI, in a completely context-dependent manner, like the panel controls themselves. These commands can be used to access menu entries or emulate radio operation, in most cases providing a way to extend the radio’s remote control capabilities instead of other specific parametric commands.
Examples: A GET of the filter number could be created using SW1H; (bring up RCVR functions) followed by DS1; (read line 1 of the display). A SET of filter number 2 could be effected by then sending SWT2;.

ID/FIRMWARE LOAD:
This group includes I (rig ID), LD (firmware load), RV (firmware rev.), and SN (serial number). “I;” returns “KH1;” in the main app (upper case), while the boot loader responds to “I” with “kh1” (lower case). This allows KH1 Utility to tell whether it’s talking to the boot loader or the main app. “RV;” returns “RVnn.nn;” (firmware revision). “LD;” initiates firmware loading and is only used by KH1 utility. SN can be used by anyone to get the serial number. It is used by the factory to set the serial number, which requires a non-public password.

PARAMETRIC:
Commands such as AG (AF gain), MD (mode), and FA (frequency), behave like similar commands on the KX2, KX3, etc. In most cases only SETs are provided, since the KH1 doesn’t have “AI” capability (auto-info) and is not intended to support apps like HRD, etc. If required, a GET can be simulated by using a display read command (DS command). For example the operating frequency could be obtained by reading line 1 of the LCD.

COMMAND LIST

All commands and responses are terminated by a semicolon.
AG (AF Gain; SET only)

• FORMAT: AGnn; where is 00-30
• NOTE1: The AF gain value is stored separately for phones and speakers.
• NOTE2: AF gain can be incremented/decremented using the ENAU/ENAD commands.

DS (Display Text; GET/SET)

• FORMAT: DSls; where:
  • = ‘1’ (line 1, or upper row) or ‘2’ (line 2, or lower row)
  • = Up to 16-char string (string is returned for GET, and supplied for SET)