+++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2002 21:35:14 -0500 From: Donn Kuse Reply-To: casey.jay at gte.net To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion , elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Keyer Was wondering if anyone has a keyer with speed control knobs that they would like to part with? I'm looking for one. Anyone with a Curtis keyer? Also looking for a inexpensive set of double paddles. Thanks. 72,73 Donn, WB4ZWT 66 and Still learning Haines City, FL +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2002 20:53:56 -0600 From: "George, W5YR" To: casey.jay at gte.net Cc: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion , elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Keyer Donn, The Logikey K3 has a speed control knob and tons of other neat features. One of the best on the market and not all the expensive. Mine is not for sale but try MorseX among others for availability. 72/73/oo, George W5YR - the Yellow Rose of Texas Fairview, TX 30 mi NE of Dallas in Collin county EM13qe Amateur Radio W5YR, in the 56th year and it just keeps getting better! QRP-L 1373 NETXQRP 6 SOC 262 COG 8 FPQRP 404 TEN-X 11771 Icom IC-756PRO #02121 Kachina #91900556 IC-765 #0243 +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2002 21:59:16 -0700 From: Tim and Nancy Logan Reply-To: cyr999 at extremezone.com To: casey.jay at gte.net Cc: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion , elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Keyer Donn - ditto Gearge's remarks regarding the Logikey - it is a fantastic little unit - comes under the heading of indespensible in my book hi hi. 73/Tim Logan KB7OEX +++++++++++++++ Reply-To: From: "Thor, n9ik" To: , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" , Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Keyer Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2002 07:53:05 -0600 A couple weeks ago I built a Jackson Harbor Press WB9KZY PK-3 keyer kit that I'd gotten from Morse Express. There are only a few parts, so build time is quick. The keyer has two 50+ character memories plus call sign memory, and gives you the option of changing speeds either using the knob or via the functions controlled by the single button/paddles on your key. The PCB for the keyer is so small, it should be pretty easy to build it into another project. The entire thing - keyer kit, hardware pack (pot w/ knob, piezo, jacks for key & output, 9v battery lead) and small plastic box to house it - was about $30 dollars or so. I put a few pictures of the project on my web site (not very good, & I didn't get the picture of it completed in the housing up there yet :-) ). Here's the link direct to my projects page: http://www.qsl.net/n9ik/projects.htm. If you click on the "Completed Projects" link just under the banner at the top, it will take you directly to the PK-3 portion of the page. Here's a link directly to Morse Express' page w/ the keyer: http://www.morsex.com/jhp/index.htm#pk2 - Thor, N9IK +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2002 10:06:36 -0600 To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net From: Tom Hammond =?iso-8859-1?Q?N=D8SS?= Subject: [Elecraft] External Keyer Folks: Don't forget that if you want a LogiKey: Idiom Press POB 1025 Geyserville CA 95441 http://www.idiompress.com/K3_specs.html but for a bit less investment, you might want to consider: http://www.idiompress.com/K3_specs.html#kit which is the URL for the KIT version of the same keyer, commonly known as the CMOS Super Keyer III. The most difficult part of assembling a memory keyer kit is finding some really decent (AND REASONABLE PRICED) pushbutton switches (PB's). Most of the really good 'tactile feedback PB's run several (to many) dollars each. which can add significantly to the cost of the finally-assembled keyer kit. I've built no fewer than a dozen of these keyers, either for myself or for a numer of friends. I went on a search for PB's which had a great 'feel', but which didn't cost an arm and a leg to obtain. FOUND 'EM...!!! At MOUSER. And they're available in two different sizes... LARGE 'n SMALL. The large switchess are Mouser #101-0621, which uses a 101-021x cap (where 'x' is 0 thru 9, indicating cap color). These switches are .472" (12mm) square and the caps are .474" (c. 12mm) in diameter. Cost: Switch = $.036, Cap = $0.14. The small PB's are Mouser #101-0661, which uses a 101-020x cap (where 'x' is 0 thru about 8, indicating cap color). These switches are .244" (6.2mm) square and the caps are .177" (also c. 4.5mm) in diameter. Cost: Switch = $.020, Cap = $0.11. Paging thru MOUSER's most recent catalog, I see they also now carry Omron PC switches in the same style/size. Pricing is similar, but the cap colors are fewer. Mouser also offers a similar (large) switche by E-Switch, but the cost is a bit more. ALL of these switches are PC board mount. Fortunately, I can provide upon request (and of course, free of charge) layouts for etching your own PC boards to accommodate these switches. PC boards greatly facilitate the mounting and installation of these switches. I do not (at least at this time) offer etched/drilled PC boards!! Sorry. By the way, look for a 'new product' announcement from Idiom Press in 2-3 weeks. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS ++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2002 15:45:24 -0500 From: Donn Kuse Reply-To: casey.jay at gte.net To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion , elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Re: Keyer Want to thank all for responding to my request for keyers. Hopefully I'll be able to get one of those who offered to part with their spare keyer and paddles. 72, Donn, WB4ZWT 66 and still learning +++++++++++++++++ From: "Rich Lentz" To: "Steve Banks" , "Elecraft Corporation" Subject: RE: [Elecraft] External keyer question... Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2002 11:33:22 -0600 Steve: I have used the Heathkit SA-5010 Micromatic Keyer On the K2. Connected as Hand Key (i.e., select INP HAND) from the + (plus) tot K2 Key jack. Center of RCA jack to tip of stereo plug and ground to ground. Guess you could also make the diode arrangement as described in the CW Operation section of the manual, but have not tried it as this works and only required an available RS adapter cord. Rich KE0ZX -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-admin at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-admin at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Steve Banks Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2002 10:39 AM To: Elecraft Corporation Subject: [Elecraft] External keyer question... Hi All- Has anyone on the reflector ever connected a Heathkit SA-5010 Micromatic Keyer to his/her K2? Being something of a collector/restorer of anything long-of-tooth, I recently dug out my old SA-5010 (circa 1980) and fitted/modified an appropriate 3-pin connector and cable to it (a modified Futaba aileron servo extension cable) with an appropriate 1/8" stereo plug to connect to my Schurr paddle. My question is which keying line to use to key the K2 directly from one of the SA-5010's keying outputs. There are two of them, one - and one + . Each of them terminates in an RCA phono-type plug on the keyer's rear apron. I'll be glad to remeasure the keyed output voltage from the SA-5010 if it's needed. (My recollection from bench-testing the keyer a couple of weeks ago was that both lines provide about +20 or -20 VDC when the keyer is keyed, but I don't recall for sure I can build up the "auto detect" device requiring two diodes as illustrated on the K2 Manual (p. 92) with no problem. But my concern is which of the SA-5010 keying lines to use to connect to the K2. The two diodes shown in the K2 illustration may not like one or the other of them. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks for any comments. 73 Steve Banks K0PQ K2 S/N 1599 ++++++++++++++++++++++ From: "Rich Lentz" To: "Kevin Cozens" , "Steve Banks" , Subject: RE: [Elecraft] External keyer question... Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2002 17:15:28 -0600 The Heathkit Manual from the SA-5010 uMatic Memory Keyer states: " Transmitter and External Keyer Connections Two jacks are provided on the rear panel of the Keyer; one keys the positive (+) keylines to ground, and the other keys the negative (-) keylines to ground. If you are not sure which jack to use for a particular transmitter, you may examine the transmitter schematic, or you may simply try one jack or the other. If you select the wrong jack, the protective diode across the jack inside the Keyer will continuously key the transmitter. NOTE: Use coaxial cable between the Keyer and transmitter. " My review of the schematic indicates that the center of the + jack goes to the collector of a NPN transistor, and the center of the - jack goes to the collector of a PNP transistor, with no source of voltage other than the voltage on the base of the switching transistor when keyed either +5 or - 3 MAX (at the base of the switching transistor.) Each jack also has a .001 Mf cap, for RF protection, and a Diode across the jack to minimize the chance of destroying the switching transistor in the keyer. Any voltage on the collector of the switching transistor would come from the keyed circuit. Have used it with a TenTec Omni D (all transistor - no tubes) for more than 20 years with no harm to either. Rich KE0ZX ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2002 20:21:43 -0600 From: "Walter AG5P" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [120801] re:ticks MorseX has the Jackson Harbor keyer PK-3 kits that are a direct replacement for the ticks. See http://www.morsex.com/jhp/index.htm#pk2 72/73 Walter, AG5P ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 15:29:52 -0600 To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net From: Tom Hammond =?iso-8859-1?Q?N=D8SS?= Subject: [Elecraft] AT FIRST BLUSH - LogiKit CMOS 4 Keyer KIT! I love building kits, especially electronic keyers, but... One of the least enjoyable facets of building electronic devices (for me anyway) is having to scrounge up difficult-to-find parts, or components which aren't hard to find, BUT which I can't obtain locally. It always seems I wind up having to go to more than one vendor, and end up paying a LOT of cash for shipping and (in some instances) 'handling'. Then you have to determine what type of case you want to use (it'll almost always be too big). And don't forget the pain of going from place to place, trying to find acceptable pushbuttons for the message buttons. The SWITCH must... 1) be easy to actuate, but not to easy. 2) give you a bit of tactile feedback, so you'll know you really DID press it. 3) be small enough to FIT into the case 4) be easy to install 5) most of all, be RELIABLE and not prone to becoming noisy after only a short lifespan Idiom Press has produced CMOS Super Keyer kits for a bunch of years... probably neigh on the 20 anyway. The problem was that their 'kit' only included the PC board and all of the parts which mounted on the PC board. But that was it... none of the other required parts were included in the kit, leaving it up to the builder to decide HOW he wanted to outfit his keyer, and then to go FIND all of the missing parts. Most of the missing parts could be found at the local Radio Shack. But you could NOT find reasonably priced pushbuttons there! By the time I bought all of the remaining parts at 'th Shack, I had invested a total of about $85 in complete list of parts, and sometimes this still didn't include the case. I LOVED the keyer, but HATED the parts search. Well, Idiom Press/Logikey Co. (AKA Bob Locher, W9KNI) finally did it! They've come out with a new keyer kit, aptly dubbed the "Logikit CMOS4". It's a COMPLETE(!!) kit, including all required components and a KILLER case and set of tactile pushbutton message switches, all for very nearly the price I was having to pay for the old kit plus individual parts from R/S. I am fortunate in that I was able to FT (Field Test) what I think was only the second Logikit CMOS 4 ever produced. I also got to help proof the assembly manual as well. Still haven't seen the User Instruction Manual yet, but I do know it has been printed. The Logikit CMOS 4 comes in an all too small box, belying it's eventual small size. Assembly of the kit went without a single hitch... everything fit where it was supposed to, and all parts were provided... nothing missing. The assembly manual has you first install the monitor speaker onto the bottom half of the keyer case. Then you install the connectors which also mount onto the bottom of the case. There are only three connectors to mount: external DC input (5.5mm x 2.5mm coaxial jack), paddle input (1/8" stereo jack) and keyer output (RCA jack). The installation of the DC power connector was a bit 'tight' since there was little 'wiggle room' between the jack and the speaker. But the manual offers easy-to-follow steps to simplify the installation of the power jack. From there, you begin installing components. First to be populated is the pushbutton mounting board. It gets four (4) small PC board-mount tactile feedback pushbuttons with pushbutton caps about 1/4" in diameter. The buttons are arranged in two groups of two and have a nice solid 'feel' to them. Next to be populated was the main (keyer) PC board. Parts installation goes logically and builders should experience no problems with assembly of the PC board. Final assembly consists of attaching the main and pushbutton PC boards and connecting the few wires which attach to devices not on the PC board. The most difficult part of the entire (c. 3-hour) assembly was soldering one of the leads to a lug on the speed control pot which is quite close to the bottom of the chassis, and difficult to access. Were I do build another of these kits, and I may well do so, I think I'd attach the speed control wires to the pot BEFORE I mounted it to the front panel of the keyer. Final assembly was a snap. The two halves of the case fit together like a glove (similar to cases made by that "E-something" company.. ). Operationally, the Logikit CMOS 4 performs just like its older siblings. It's silky smooth to send with, easy to program, and keys either the 'positive' keylines of 'modern' transceivers OR the grid-blocked keylines of many of the older rigs as well. CW speed is between 5 and 60 WPM, with an additional 'high speed' range (70-990 WPM) for meteor-scatter ops. Yes, you read correctly... all the way up to 990 WPM!!! For us mere mortals, who can no longer copy (or send) 990 WPM, you have the ability to select a user-programmable speed range. I chose 18-40 WPM, but ANY combination of two speeds between 5 and 60 WPM are available to you. And the Speed Control is linear. Keying WEIGHTING is fully adjustable between 25% and 75%, with 50% weighting being the default. The keyer also includes keying compensation, to make up for the small (mS) delay between the key is hit and the output arrives, often resulting in a slightly 'lighter' than normal character. It appears the best compensation for my K2 is between 2mS and 4mS...! Almost not required. The monitor speaker has ample volume. And, a volume control is provided on the bottom of the case to adjust it to the desired listening level. There are a LOT more features of this keyer, but you can read about them on the Idiom Press web site, (http://www.idiompress.com/cmos4.html) it'd take much too long to list all of them here. In short (too late for that now, Tom), this is just the keyer I've been looking (and hoping) for easily 20 years. 'Bout time! Thanks Bob. 73 to all, Tom Hammond N0SS PS I have NO interest whatsoever in Idiom Press or the Logikey Co. I just happen to like their products. +++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 08 Apr 2002 15:12:42 -0400 From: "John L. Sielke" To: qrp-l at lehigh.edu, njqrp at njqrp.org Cc: cw at mailman.qth.net Subject: [124209] Unabashed Plug Just finished building the Idiom Press Logikit CMOS4 keyer. If you want a keyer that does everything but the laundry (and it may do that to, I haven't tried all the functions), will help your fist sound better. (It even made MINE sound halfway decent), has all the memories you want, and is relatively inexpensive, check this little beauty out! http://www.idiompress.com/keyers.html -- -------------------------- John L Sielke W2AGN w2agn at w2agn.net http://www.w2agn.net Trustee: W3IYQ When you do a good deed get a receipt just in case heaven is like the IRS. +++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2002 13:25:51 +0200 From: "Ingo, DK3RED" To: Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] Re: Key f/u/w K1 Hello Jessie, > ... I really wish they had just integrated a > mini-stereo jack... Plenty of no-drill options for mounting. The Palm Radio gang around Hannes (DL9SCO) offer the Code Cube for the Palm Mini Paddle. It is a full-featured electronic memory keyer that plugs into any Palm Mini Paddle. And (drum-roll) the Code Cube have a jack. ;o) http://www.palm-radio.de/english/english.html -> Code Cube -- 72/73 de Ingo, DK3RED Don't forget: the fun is the power! dk3red at t-online.de http://www.qsl.net/dk3red DL-QRP-AG #824 http://www.dl-qrp-ag.de ++++++++++++++++++++