[HBQRP] CW Practice Oscillator -- PicoKeyer -- Other Options

[Dale Botkin]

Hi Darrell,

I am somewhat familiar with that kit.  :)  Get a cheap amplified PC 
speaker, and run the input to pads 1 (ground) & 3 (audio) under the 
battery holder on the PicoKeyer-Plus board.  You may want to use a 
series capacitor, say 4.7 to 10 uF or so.  I've seen amplified speakers 
selling for a couple of bucks at hamfests, and I see something called a 
"hamburger speaker" designed for MP3 players selling for under $5 on 
Fleabay, including shipping.  There are a ton of them under $10.  That's 
about the easiest route.  an LM386 amp will do the job too, if you'd 
rather solder.  I keep meaning to design a general purpose amp board, 
but never have gotten around to it.

You can change the audio frequency using the "A" menu item in the PK+ 
setup.  It's variable from about 400 Hz or so, I think, up to "way too 
high".  The default setting was picked to hit the peak response of the 
little speaker.

73,
Dale - N0XAS



On 9/3/2013 5:27 PM, Darrell Fulmer wrote:
> I hope this is not misappropriate use of this group. If it is, I am sure
> someone will let me know :-)
>
> I am interested in getting on the air with a CW QRP station but, as I
> have not touched a key for
> decades, I thought it would be useful to get a practice oscillator that
> would only afflict my XYL and
> dogs until I build up  some proficiency.
>
> While anxiously awaiting the delivery of my AME Bushwacker key kit, I
> put together a PicoKeyer Plus
>   kit (my first kit ever) -- hoping (initially) to use it as a practice
> oscillator. It went together easily,
> works well, and is a super neat little piece of equipment.
> Unfortunately, its speaker's low volume and
> high frequency are not compatible with my antique ears.
>
> If you have built the PicoKeyer, have you added an amplifier to it? If
> so, can you point me to a
> resource telling what components are required, and how it is done?
>
> Do you use or know of some other reasonably priced equipment you would
> recommend as a
> standalone practice oscillator for use with a single lever paddle? Kit,
> or ready built.
>
> Thanks and 73,
>
> Darrell Fulmer
> AD0EF
>
> You are welcome to contact me off-list if you prefer:
> darrell DOT fulmer AT gmail DOT com
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