RK ROYAL KLUDGE R65 - 🚧 Custom QMK firmware

I bought this keyboard from amazon: RK ROYAL KLUDGE R65

It quickly became one of my favorite keyboards, it's a great size and even has a knob! (Hipyo Tech would be proud)

Similarly to my GK61, I wanted to program it.

Getting the original source for the firmware was not easy, but I found @irfan had started the ball rolling over on Discord.

Custom Keyboard Software

Since I don't have the original source, I decided to create a new folder called iamdanielv that could be put into the qmk repo keyboard directory and not mess anything up when/if the original source is added later.

Copy the folder structure from rk\r65\iamdanielv into the qmk repo keyboard directory.

⚠️ Disclaimer

[!CAUTION] This is a custom firmware that could break your keyboard.

🛑 Use at your own risk! 🛑

I have tried my best to make sure everything works, but I may miss something.

It works for my keyboard, but there may be revisions in the future that are not compatible. Use at your own risk!

🥳Thanks!

Thanks to @irfan for getting the ball rolling on getting the PCB and source code.

Thanks to sdk66 for providing a lot of samples and guidance. The Tide65 code base was very helpful in getting a lot of things figured out.

⌨️ New Keymap

I've updated the default keymap to work with the current source. It can be used as a starting point for customization.

I created a new keymap iamdanielv that enables via, function keys, navigation, a num pad and layer for RGB / Keyboard management.

I use 6 layers for my changes, keyboard.json specifies that in the following section:

"dynamic_keymap": {
    "layer_count": 6
}

🖥️ Compiling

You can now use QMK builder with the following command:

qmk compile -j 0 -kb rk/r65/iamdanielv -km iamdanielv

the -j 0 uses parallel build to speed it up a bit

qmk should generate a new bin file: rk_r65_iamdanielv_iamdanielv.bin in your qmk_firmware folder.

For me it was: C:\Users\<USER>\qmk_firmware\rk_r65_iamdanielv_iamdanielv.bin

I've included a version of my custom firmware that works well for me. There you will also find the original firmware in case something goes horribly wrong.

• Original
• Custom - Note: I disabled VIA to make it smaller, but it can be enabled by compiling this repo.

🌐 Using via

In order to use via, you may have to upload the json specification, it can be found under the extras folder.

🥾 Bootloader and Clearing eeprom

To prevent accidental KB Bootloader triggers, I have it hidden under a layer.

• To reboot and enter bootloader mode:
  • hold Fn, then hold RShift, then triple tap the q key
  • OR hold RAlt, then hold RShift, then triple tap the q key
  • OR hold CAPS Lock, then hold RShift, then triple tap the q key
  • OR hold RAlt, then double tap PgDn, then triple tap the q key
• To clear eeprom:
  • hold Fn, then hold RShift, then triple tap the z key
  • OR hold RAlt, then hold RShift, then triple tap the z key
  • OR hold CAPS Lock, then hold RShift, then triple tap the z key
  • OR hold Ralt, then double tap PgDn, then triple tap the q key

⭐ Features

I use a control layer to modify the keyboard settings.

To enable the control layer

• Momentary - will be deactivated as soon as you release Right Shift:
  • hold Fn, then hold RShift
  • OR hold RAlt, then hold RShift
  • OR hold CAPS Lock, then hold RShift
• Toggle:
  • hold Ralt, then double tap PgDn

While on the Control Layer, you have the following available:

• Q - triple tap to enter bootloader mode

• Z - triple tap to clear eeprom

• LCTL - Swap Number row for Fn Keys (1 is F1 ... + is F12)

• N - Toggle NKRO

• I - Change Background Color HUE Down

• O - Change Background Color HUE Up

• K - Change Background Color SAT Down

• L - Change Background Color SAT Up

• , - Change Background Color VAL Down - RGB_VAD

• . - Change Background Color VAL Up - RGB_VAI

• ; - RGB_SPD

• ' - RGB_SPI

• P - RGB Matrix solid color

• [ - RGB_RMOD

• ] - RGB_RMD

• \ - RGB_TOG -- this will turn off the colors, but still enable indicators

• ⬅️ - RGB_SPD

• ➡️ - RGB_SPI

• ⬆️ - RGB_VAI

• ⬇️ - RGB_VAD

🎉 Conclusion and Next Steps

That's it! You now should be able to flash the custom firmware using qmk toolbox.

Let me know if you have any questions. I can be reached at @IAmDanielV or @iamdanielv.bsky.social.