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| Reviews Summary for Microham Digi Keyer |
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Reviews: 20
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Average rating: 4.6/5
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MSRP: $349. USD
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Description: DIGI KEYER™ is a powerful All-In-One USB interface for amateur radio digital mode operation including RTTY, PSK31, MFSK, Olivia, WSJT, SSTV, APRS, PACKET, EchoLink and many others.
DIGI KEYER™ includes a rig control interface for all supported radios (Elecraft, Icom, JRC, Kenwood, Ten-Tec, and Yaesu), an internal Stereo sound chip using standard Windows Sound drivers, as well as independent PTT outputs for both LNA and Power Amplifier control.
Package contains: DIGI KEYER™, CDROM with drivers, control software and manual, USB A-B cable 2m (6.5ft) long, and one radio cable (specify your radio).
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More info: http://www.microHAM-USA.com/Products/dk.html
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You can
write your own review of the Microham Digi Keyer.
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KB2VMG
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 22, 2008 17:16
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Absolutely the Best
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have owned and used a number of interfaces, including a Rig Blaster, a Tigertronics SignaLink, two Rig Expert Pluses. The Microham Digi Keyer out performs them all. It is easier to configure and use, and helps you put out a really clean and seemingly stronger signal. The Tigertronics unit is good and well-priced, but it lacks FSK capability. That is for me is a "deal breaker." I'm into all the digi modes but RTTY is still king when it comes to contesting. RTTY contesting without FSK just isn't the same. Ask any diehard contester. Without FSK, you can't take advantage of the IC 756 Pro III's outstanding RTTY filtering. And, contesting without a tight RTTY filter is too much like work to be fun. So, there it is, the Digi Keyer does it all and it does it all extremely well. Shop no more this is THE UNIT to buy. I've sold all the other units and bought two of them. Which reminds me, with the software supplied using more than one unit with a singe computer is a snap. No digging into device manager's dark recesses and swapping devices and ports around.
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DL1AIW
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Rating: 2/5
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Jun 15, 2008 04:59
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mixed impressions
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I bought the digikeyer primary to use it with WSJT on 2 m. It took only a short time to configure the keyer and the USB-slot at my laptop and from this moment on it started to work with good performance and a very low noise level on VHF.
The big surprise came on sone shorwave-bands between 10 m and 20 m with a noise level up to S9, especially on 20 m. On this band ist is nearly impossbile to work in the digimodes unless you have extremely strong signals.I didn't perform any statistics but I would say that around 80% of (PSK-) signal disappear below the noise floor on 14 MHz.
Up to now I'm not shure what the reason for this might be. Some experiments have shown, that the noise floor disappeared completey by disconnecting the USB-slot and leavin all other slots connected. So it seems to be probably a problem with my laptop and not with the keyer.
After doing some websurfing I found that some other OM are facing the same problems while the majority of the users dont't. Due to the fact that I have to bring my personal experience the rating is not better as 2. Good on VHF, useless on any band higher than 14 MHz.
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AA8LL
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 6, 2008 06:39
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Still love it after 2-years!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had my DigiKeyer for two years now. I use it for RTTY, PSK-31, and contest CW. The noise floor for the built-in sound card is very good. I have done very well in several RTTY contests and have worked most all of the DX that's been spotted. I use an FT-1000MP and Writelog with the MMTTY engine most of the time.
It was a bit of a chore to learn new logging/operating software, set up a new interface, and set up the software for the interface. I also needed to set up the FT-1000MP for FSK RTTY by selecting "Reverse" in the radio options manual. I did have a few questions for the famous, Joe Subich W4TV, but it took him almost a day to get back with me. By then I had sorted it all out myself by reading the manuals. Yes, Joe took one day off, two years ago! He is on all the forums everyday.
I only had one issue with the hardware. I wanted to take the DigiKeyer portable with my Icom 706MK2G and had to open the DigiKeyer and move jumpers. Last year I solved that problem by buying a second DigiKeyer.
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KE5FDO
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 30, 2008 20:41
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Only choice for Apple users, happens to be great too.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I run Apple computers and always have. It can be frustrating at times in the HAM world finding things that will work with Apples, let alone something that really shines with them.
I was in Dayton a couple of years ago and happened by the MicroHam booth and heard someone mention Apple computers. Stood there listening to Joe for a few minutes and walked away with a DK. So glad I did.
I have run the box with my FT817 for almost 2 years now and never had any problems at all.
I just bought an IC-7000 and ordered a cable for that from MicroHam and same thing, it just works.
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WA2ODO
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Rating: 0/5
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Apr 9, 2008 12:16
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Should be sold as a Noise generator
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I gave it a 0 because there were no negative numbers to pick. This unit should be sold as a noise generator or comb generator....it is so bad it is unusable with ICOM 781 and FLEX 5000a with WSJT. Sales/service tells you it is your computer NEVER their stuff...but I have confirmed it is the DigiKeyer...performing all the tests they suggest....yet they insist it is my 1 week old Dell (and 2 other computers I tried and a laptop also)...guess I only own bad computers. They say send it back and they will check it BUT 100% of the time it is never bad....and it will be the computer (why bother sending it back).
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W9RVR
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 21, 2008 16:46
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The Best
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've been using this interface for over a year and it is the best I have seen. The quality of the equipment is well beyond excellent and the service from the US rep, Joe Subich W4TV sets the standard everyone else should meet.
If your tired of dealing with multiple serial ports and less than quality equipment look no further, the Digi Keyer is the answer.
I have had no compatibility problems and have been able to set up all of my favorite software to work through this interface.
If you have questions, a quick answer is only an e-mail away.
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RUSS324
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 30, 2007 08:37
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The Best!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Excellent interface. I have had mine for 10 months and have used it on my 746 Pro and 756 Pro 3. Works great and is first class. Why would you buy anything else.
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IW2CZG
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 27, 2007 15:13
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Excellent interface
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This interface card it's wery well buildt starting from the PCB and ending to the hi-quality interconnecting cables.
Set it for your favourite rig (jumpers included), install the software and go ON AIR.
Knobs to adjust TX and RX levels are very convenient and lets you adjust immediately the right amount of signal you desire.
Audio functionality is provided via the internal sound card, so you can forget to plug the audio minijack to your soundblaster. Very convenient.
Software provided (device router) may looks little complicate at the beginning, but in reality adds great flexibility to your operations.
Last, but not least, there is the automatic firmware update procedure.
Jozef OM7ZZ provides outstanding real-time support, even in "strange" hours. All my respect and my appreciacion for a kind of customer support that should be the reference for all the manufacturers.
I tried this interface in conjunction with my FT-817 and my Miracle Antenna but I experimented RF return that made fail the experiment.
This is not my first computer interface and it's definitely the best one I own.
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K5SM
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 25, 2007 18:53
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Excellent quality and super support.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The DigiKeyer is an impressive bit of engineering and an incredibly flexible addition to my station. Even more impressive than the DigiKeyer itself is the support offered by Microham USA. The US support representative responded to my email questions quickly and worked with me patiently and persistently for several days (including a Saturday and Sunday) to resolve a connection problem that turned out to be my radio. Though I have been an active ham since 1961, and have owned lots of gear over the years, Microham's support is easily the best I have ever seen. Microham has earned my admiration and loyalty.
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KB3I
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 7, 2007 15:15
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Great product!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Excellent quality product that delivers. The included rig specific cable kit makes set up a breeze. The front panel control for transmit level is a blessing. Works great with HRD and PSK31Deluxe.
73 - Ira KB3I
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