[CW] First impressions microHAM CW Keyer

[K0HB]

Both my MFJ keyers (a 492 and a 422x) lost their brains and failed in a one
week period, so I was in the market for a new keyer (and a new brand).

Since serial ports seem to be disappearing from computers, along with
hardware-friendly DOS contest loggers, the combination of a USB rig
interface and a K1EL WinKey in the same package caught my fancy. (If you're
just looking for a standalone keyer, this box is a little "overkill", but
at the price you might still consider it, just to "future-proof" your
station.)

The unit ships complete with interconnecting cables (USB to your computer,
"CAT" to your radio (specify your radio when ordering), and even a DC
connector for wiring to your 12V power source. Included in the box is a CD
with software and documentation. 

Now if you're like me and need to hurry to "try it out", you could get in
trouble here. Unless you've done your homework, a few of things won't be
evident to you when you open the box.

1) There are internal jumpers which need to be set to configure the box to
your radio.

2) There is a software driver and an operating program which need to be
installed in your host computer before you can interface to the box.

Now all of this is nicely explained in the manual, but the manual is on the
CD (along with manuals for many other microHAM products). Now I understand
the economics of providing the manual on disk, but a one-sheet paper flyer
specific to the product would be helpful in:

1) Pointing out the need to set the jumpers...
2) Telling you which of the several software programs and drivers you'd
need to install.

(All of this is covered in the manual, but.......)

Also it would have been helpful to explain how to install the "CAT" cable
for my Icom. One end of the cable is TIP/RING/SLEEVE and the other end is
TIP/SLEEVE. Naturally, I installed it backwards! (The two conductor end
goes toward the radio.)

OK, that's all the complaints!

Once I "got humble" and printed up the user manual, the installation and
configuration was straightforward and simple, no more complicated than
installing a new printer or other device.

Ignoring here the radio interface and USB/serial conversion program, I'll
talk simply about the keyer.

In a word, it's a marvel! The heart of it is the K1EL WinKey keyer board
which is widely supported in Windows and Mac based logging programs. This
device can be custom tailored by the user for every conceivable parameter
of the Morse art. The keyer can emulate Curtis A, Curtis B, Ultimatic, even
the venerable art of a semiautomatic bug. Anything you want to "adjust" is
adjustable --- speed 5-99 wpm, weighting as desired, Farnsworth character
spacing, dit/dah/space radios, "first dit/dah compensation" (for those rigs
which chop the leading edge), etc., etc. etc.

Basically it's three keyers in one.

1) A simple standalone traditional keyer with external paddles.
2) A computer controlled keyer (from a logging program)
3) A keyboard (without computer) controlled memory keyer.

You can do any of these in combination (for example, use your logging
program to provide contest exchanges, etc., but still have paddle input for
fills, etc.)

The unit is well constructed, amazingly compact, and US support is
excellent (the manufacturer is located in Slovakia.) Firmware can be
updated right from your computer, and updates are free.

The product is well supported on the web by the manufacturer. I found that
the CD-provided software, firmware, and user manual had all been superceded
by later versions, and it was a simple matter to download from the
well-organized website ( http://microham.com ).

The US distributor, W4TV, provides prompt email response, and there is also
support from two yahoogroups, microham at yahoogroups.com and
k1el_keyers at yahoogroups.com.

73, de Hans, K0HB



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