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| Reviews Summary for CW Touchkeyer Model P1 |
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write your own review of the CW Touchkeyer Model P1.
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WB7DNU
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 13, 2008 08:27
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Great Keyer
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I built this keyer from the kit. I had a problem hearing the fb that its supposed to send on turning it on and had to call Sumner, thinking there was something wrong with the keyer. I can't believe the help he gave me. The customer service is the best I have ever had anywhere. It turned out the only real problem was the volume pot inside the keyer was turned off.
The keyer works well but you need to use an external speaker so you can hear it. The internal speaker is small and there isn't much volume if you have a hearing problem as I do.
Programming the keyer is a bit tricky. Reading the manual and trying it several times helps but to program my call sign into it I had to call Sumner and get better instructions than are in the manual. Again the customer service was great.
I gave the keyer a 5 because it works well, has a good feel and the customer service from Sumner is the best I have ever had. For the price it is a good deal and works as well as some of the better keyers on the market.
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ON4VP
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 8, 2008 23:34
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a total different experience
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I was looking for a new paddle and if you want to save some bucks, the quality of mechanical paddles suffer. Reading about the P1 made me curious so I ordered one. Shipping took longer than expected but this was out of the hands of Sumner who assisted me the whole time and even proposed a refund if my delivery was taking to long. Finaly after a stressfull periode and due to the unprofessionalisme of the "local" parcel service I got my keyer almost a week later.
I ordered the 'wired' model. The keyer has a firm base with added weight so it doen't move on the desk. All plugs come with the keter. I soldered the calbles and plugs and connected the P1 to my TS480.
The keyer works as advertised. It is a whole new experience working the paddles without mechanical parts. It takes some time getting familiar but once adapted, boy oh boy, what a different world.
The P1 has the internal keyer and it works FB. The only minor thing I regret is the learning curve to access the menus. A few direct buttons had been easier to operate. This is why I give the P1 a "4". The hardware is very good, the programming is less straightforward, it to takes time to get familiar. All is done trough a MEM button and the dih's and dah's of the paddles.
It has a practice mode, potmeter to adjust speed, 4 memories, and a bunch of settings. Impressive to see its all in the PIC processor. I recommend this P1 and would buy it again. The service and email assistenve of Sumner is nice !
Enjoy CW
73 ON4VP Phil
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K8RBW
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 24, 2007 08:57
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A Real Joy!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I love all things CW. Like KE6BB, I have aging hands with nerve damage; nonehteless, I refuse to quit CW. If CW is eliminated, I will terminate my almost 50 years in amateur radio. Enough said.
One of the first things I do in the morning for therapy on my hands is practice sending CW with a keyer. The P1 is amazing in this regard as I can still send 30+ words a minute with it just based on listening to the sound. Although I have built the a Jackson Harbor Keyer ( an excellent keyer and the one used in the P1), I don't use the memory a great deal because I so much enjoy sending with the P1. I own two of them. One is at my main QTH and one is at my summer home.
Highly recommended.
72/73 to all.
de Dick, K8RBW
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KE5DPI
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 16, 2007 19:13
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As Advertised
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I purchased the P1 in kit form and it was a breeze to assemble. After a few mintes of practice I went on the air sending perfect CW. So from now on it's 90% CW and 10% phone for me. It's really a great piece of equipment.
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W1MEH
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 16, 2007 09:55
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Great buy, very compact and versatile
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This is the 2nd review I have made of the Touchkeyer. I had occasion to purchase a second unit, as aa backup to the first.
The designer, Sumner, was so diligent about my order. He phoned me after I e mailed the order, and said he would get another unit ready. He shipped it before he cashed my check.
He has been most helpful during the few times I have asked about the various calibration procedures. The operation is straightforward. All the adjustments are done with 3 controls, the MEM, the DAH and DIT, and using a HOLD plus DIT or DAH, etc. I especially like the memory for calling CQ. You tailor make the sequence if you wish, up to 60 characters at a clip. The output is crisp and professional sounding. With just a little practice you can be up and running fast.
I can't see how anyone could go wrong with this keyer, and highly recommend it to anyone who still does CW.
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KE6BB
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 8, 2007 17:39
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Works as advertised!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This thing really works well! It is stable, easy to build, and looks surprisingly elegant. I expected the plastic case to look cheap, but it doesn't. It is solid and weighted nicely.
I built a P1K which includes the Jackson Harbor PK-4 keyer chip in it. The whole thing makes a nice package. Having been away from Ham Radio for many years, I found I had trouble operating mechanical paddles since my hands aren't as steady as they used to be. Back in the late 70's, I built a Heathkit SA 5010 touch keyer and loved it, so I decided to give this thing a try. I can send much better with the P1, and after only one day of practice, it has improved my sending with a mechanical paddle. The P1 will be my first choice, though.
I changed two things: First, I swapped the position of the Mem. switch and on/off switch. A simple panel mount switch replaces the PCB mount momentary Mem. switch that comes with the kit. I like the Mem. switch on the front panel, and the on/off switch on the back. (Turn the on/off switch sideways where the Mem. switch was and it fits.) Second, I drilled a small hole over the speaker pot so I can slip a small screwdriver in to change the speaker volume, just like the old Heathkit SA 5010.
I especially recommend the P1 for aging, unsteady hands. I think I am going to get one of their paddle boards (P3) and build it into an Altoids tin for mobile use.
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KE1R
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 24, 2007 19:55
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Silky Smooooth!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This is simply the world's best key and keyer. Small, compact, and the touch is silky perfect. I have been a CW operator for over 40 years and this one is the easiest to use. From 5 to 50 WPM you can't beat WA1JOS's CW Touchkeyer, Model P1. If you like CW you will never use another brand. Very FB indeed!
TOM, KE1R
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KI6EA
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 22, 2007 16:36
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AWESOME!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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My only regreat is that I didn't buy this Paddle sooner. It is fantastic. I have a couple of very expensive brand name mechanical paddles sitting on the shelf now collecting dust and suspect they will be there for a very long time.
KI6EA
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KA0W
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 22, 2006 19:34
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Yes, excellent paddle!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Yes, agree with other reviewers. An excellent paddle for anyone. The P1PAD (paddle w/o keyer) is the cheapest and most used paddle of my collection. It is worth 10 times the price for it's great performance. Always a perfect touch since no movement. Sending errors are never from movement of contacts. If it sounds ruff on the air look into the mirror and the problem will be in front of you. It's also the perfect mobile paddle, no bump will set it off.
73,
Ken, KA0W
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WE5F
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 18, 2006 10:46
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Wonderful feel!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I own several dozen dual-lever "iambic" paddles, including some high-end ones (Begalli, N5QVF, March, Kent). While I won't be phasing out any of these, I must say I'm completely blown-away with the CW P1K Touch Key.
This electronic touch key/keyer eliminates any deficiency associated with any type of "mechanism" used in mechanical keys. The gold-plated finger levers don't move, so there's nothing to adjust or get out of set. The touch is absolutely precise.
The key is absolutely silent. The operator doesn't have any "feedback" from the clicks made by a mechanism to affect his sending. It's easy to send effortless CW with no need to concentrate on feedback sounds.
The P1 CW Touch Key therefore has a unique and perfectly responsive feel. The best way to describe it is the operator can inject his own "style" or "personality". I find myself reaching for this key/keyer over all the others.
Highly recommended - you've just GOT to try one.
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