[simpits-tech] rotary encoder

[RickInNoCal at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/5/04 9:47:54 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
roy at flightlab.liv.ac.uk writes:

> >Ok, I tried the P10859-ND panasonic rotary with my KE-72 with no luck. 
> They simply will not work correctly for me.  What are some other options to use 
> with the KE-72? I know there was some discussion on this topic not too long 
> ago but I cant find it.
> >Thanks
> >Justin
> >
> 
> The Piher encoders work - sort of, but you'll only get a mix of one
> letter, either lower or upper case, depending on direction.
> 
> Apparently there is a "Knitter" rotary encoder which will work ok but I've
> not found them - yet.
> 
> Hagstrom do have a rotary encoder module now which will link 5 encoders to
> the Ke72
> 

That rotary is a standard 'phase shift' rotary encoder, so it won't work with 
a keyboard emulator like the KE-72 without a decoder. The Knitter, which I 
have, is a bidirectional rotary switch, which will. 

The difference - and forgive me if I'm "teaching my grandmother to suck eggs" 
here - is that a rotary encoder puts out a pulse across both pairs of 
terminals (A-B and B-C), slightly out of phase, whichever way you turn it. Turn it 
one way, and the pulse across pair A-B preceeds that across pair B-C. Turn it 
the other way and B-C preceeds A-B. To use it on a KE-72 you therefore need to 
have a decoder board which filters out one pulse or the other. You can download 
the files (for free :-) ) to make a decoder board at 
http://www.betainnovations.com, click on hardware... add-ons... rotary decoders.  There's parts lists, 
PCB schematic, and the hex code for the PIC all there. He used to have some 
pre-programmed PICs available, but that links gone so I guess they're all sold 
out. 

A Knitter switch, on the other hand, pulses across A-B if turned one way, and 
across B-C if turned the other. On the downside, however, let me tell you 
that you have to be a little cautious in turning the Knitters - if you turn them 
too quickly they miss signals badly. I've found them to be fine for my radio 
tuning, but not so good for things like the OBS bug.

As for the 'one letter' limit, the same web site as above has his "KBStudio" 
software available for (free) download too. While it's meant for his own USB 
keyboard emulators, I've heard unofficially it works with Hagstroms too. It 
allows you to asign a macro of up to 16 keystrokes to any switch action. I can't 
confirm that though - I use one of the Beta Innovations boards - a lot more 
inputs for a lot less money <g>

Richard
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