[Elecraft] MFJ/Curtis 8045ABM chip

[G. Beat]

The K5/K5B was the last Curtis production keyer.  The Curtis 8044ABM chip was probably the best known Curtis' keyer chip (and their final one) introduced in the spring of 1986.  It incorporated selectable A or B modes and the speed meter.  This truly was a top of the line chip, and became an industry standard. However with the usage of microcontrollers and PIC in the 1980s and 1990s - the demand for the Curtis chips decreased. 

Curtis stopped selling the chip and ceased operations on April 1, 2000.  MFJ purchased the 8044 line from John Curtis and now offers an improved 8045ABM - which sells for $ 19.95 .  Details can be found here: http://www.mfjenterprises.com/products.php?prodid=CK-8045ABM

Here is the 11 page 8045ABM Application Notes (Adobe Acrobat):

http://www.hy-gain.com/man/mfjpdf/CK-8045ABM.pdf

Greg, w9gb