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| Reviews Summary for K1EL WK2/WKUSB Keyer |
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Reviews: 37
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Average rating: 4.9/5
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MSRP: $64 (kit)
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Description: The WKUSB is a complete CW keyer kit, including a new K1EL Winkeyer2 IC and a USB computer interface.
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More info: http://www.k1el.com/
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write your own review of the K1EL WK2/WKUSB Keyer.
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W5GW
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 5, 2009 08:38
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Great Keyer
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The WKUSB is a very nice addition to my shack. Built the kit in maybe 2 hours. Had it up and talking to computer in less than 5 minutes. Interfaces well with MixW. I like the addition of the USB port since I have long ago run out of serial ports. It has PTT capability as well and two ports for two different rigs. Would like more side tone selection beyond what is available, but still, for the price, a great deal.
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G4ARI
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 30, 2009 05:44
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Brilliantly Engineered
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I ordered the K1EL USB keyer kit before Christmas. The kit arrived the 2nd week of January, delayed due to the holidays and an ice storm at K1EL.
The first thing that struck me was compared to my old AEA Morsematic 1 keyer, was how compact and light the K1EL keyer is. The kit contains everything; all the components are easily identifiable and nicely divided into plastic bag compartments. The kit went together in 2 hours, and the standard of engineering was quite outstanding, everything fitted perfectly.
Two small points, I had to saw a few millimetres off the Speed control shaft, and the collar of the speed control slightly covers up the ‘Speed’ label on the front panel. Perhaps it would have been nice to have graduated marks on the front, panel and the Speed lettering slightly higher, but I am nit-picking here, because it’s a superb looking piece of kit.
Setting up was more or less plain sailing, again just a couple of minor points. Firstly the instructions for embedding Beacon and Wait commands perhaps could do with a little more clarification, as it’s not obvious from the instructions that you need to embed a Jump to command, it was only by looking at the examples that it became clear this was also required. The other problem I had was that the Quick Start Guide does not contain details how to access memories 4,5 and 6 via the buttons. I had to download another version of the user guide to find this out.
I love the buttons, they are very positive and just right for my large fingers, and even the button sequence to access memories 4 to 6 is easy to use. I linked the key to both SD Contest logger, which was dead easy, and worked first time. Also got it hooked up to DM780, which was a tad trickier but with help from Simon it was easily sorted.
I will be interested how long the batteries last; some indication in the blurb might be helpful, as would the option to power the device from an external power source in Stand Alone mode. Now all I need is a contest to really give it a real good field test!
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N0UY
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 31, 2008 10:42
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Nice Project
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Got the kit for Christmas. Been wanting one for a while but hadn't got around to ordeing it. Put it together on the weekend and it checked out without any issues. It gives me the versatility to use N3FJP contest software and paddle at the same time. This will be one of my best tools during this years field day. Can't hardly wait. The stand alone function is pretty cool.
Ray
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KE1IN
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 21, 2008 16:55
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Excellent Product
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I hadn't built an electronic kit in some 35 years--back in the Heathkit days. This kit isn't exactly for a beginner as some of the finer points of kit building that were outlined in the Heathkit manuals, like bending coaxial leads of resisters and capacitors slightly to keep them from falling out of the PC board before you solder it, aren't mentioned in the assembly instructions. But a beginner can do this with a little guidance for an Elmer.
It took me a few hours to put this together primarily because I was deliberately slow, double-checking everything. I was rusty with the resistor color code, so checked all of them with an ohmmeter. I inspected every solder joint after I completed it, making sure it wasn't a cold joint or had any solder bridges. I did get one solder bridge between a couple of diode leads I had to remove.
I also managed to badly man-handle one of the 8-pin DIP optocouplers such that I broke off pin 5 from repeatedly trying to straighten it out getting it into a socket. The parts list was sufficiently detailed that I was able to procure a replacement from Mouser.
I purchased this keyer because I'm using RigExpert Standard as a sound card interface. Its bigger brother, RigExpert Plus has this keyer built in, but I would have to sacrifice the 9-pin serial port that I use to connect my MFJ-1278B multi-mode. Both MixW and TRX-Manager have software interfaces to WinKey.
The check-out process went without a hitch, primarily because I was so deliberately careful with my soldering. K1EL did say on his web site that 95% of the kits returned for troubleshooting merely had poor solder work.
Highly recommended.
73,
David, KE1IN
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W1CDX
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 25, 2008 12:34
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great Kit... and easy to build
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Ordered my USBkit a few weeks ago (Steve was on well deserved Vacation). It arrived yesterday and I put it together today. It took me about an hour and no problems what so ever.
I also installed a 8-ohm 1-1/4" speaker, headphone jack and a volume pot, so I can practice my CW at work without bothering anybody.
I'm happy with it... it looks nice and is not to big. Of course it really shines with the Software, which allows control of all aspects of Morse Code.
If you need a keyer... get this!!!
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G4DCV
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 25, 2008 10:52
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Wow!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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If you like operating CW contests or intend to go on a CW dxpedition then the K1EL keyer is a must. I built the WinKeyer USB kit and it really is fantastic. First of all it is a small battery powered stand alone electronic keyer with memories. But the WinKeyer USB really comes alive when you plug it into a computer. Pretty much every contest logging program talks to it. When you work a station and log the QSO the program downloads the callsign & contest exchange into the Winkeyer, you hit a function key and it sends the exchange. Hit another function key and you send CQ, or QRZ, or the exchange again and so on. There is a proper speed control on the WinKeyer and so if you want to break in with your paddles they will be at the same speed as the computer generated CW. It is difficult to explain how good this is unless you have tried it. An amateur friend was here the other evening, saw the Winkeyer in use and ordered one for himself as soon as he got home! Fantastic and great value for money.
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N3QE
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 1, 2008 06:47
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Easy to build, works wonderfully!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This is a remarkably easy-to-build kit. Stuff and solder the PCB, some velcro for the battery holder and some screws, and it's done.
I was very minorly miffed that I had to go to my computer and print out the construction manual and operation instructions. Of the hour it took to put the kit together, I spent about a third of the time struggling with my printer :-). Others here undoubtedly like using computers, but I'm not one of them! This is a very minor miff because I knew that I would have to do it in advance of buying the kit. I appreciate K1EL's drive to save trees etc. but I'm an old-fashioned guy who still thinks a kit should come with a construction manual.
OK, other than my little rant associated with me not liking computers and printers above, the construction was fun and the instructions perfectly clear.
The keyer works wonderfully. I use it in standalone mode (not hooked to a computer) and I am very very happy - had several QSO's last night and love the functionality of the buttons on the top and how commands and messages can all be done through the keyer and a couple message/command button pushes.
I don't really plan on hooking it up to a computer at this point but someday I might not hate computers as much as I do now, and when that time comes the USB jack will come in handy :-).
The speed knob on the front and its default WPM range works perfect for me.
I had actually looked at the Begali CW machine as a keyer, and really liked the computer-free operation and logging that it offers, but was very much turned off by the LCD/joystick user interface. I am much much happier with a couple buttons on the top (not that I'm a big fan of buttons, but I can handle 4 buttons on a keyer better than the 135 buttons on my kids' DVD player remote!) and the CW-through-the-keyer command interface.
I got the HV version because I have some old tube rigs with not-low-voltage but not-too-high-voltage (e.g. -65V bias line) keying. It keys both my solid-state modern rigs (e.g. the TenTec Triton IV, which requires a very low voltage drop across the keyer contacts) and older rigs (e.g. Heaths, Eicos, etc.) just fine.
I plan on adding at least one foot-switch in parallel with the message buttons in the next few months before my next CW contest. The idea will be to send "TEST N3QE" and/or serialized/canned messages using the keyer's built-in serializing and messaging abilities, while freeing up my hands to keep on the keyer and radio knobs. The keyer box is ridiculously small but there will be plenty of space for me to add a jack or two for foot-switches!
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K3PG
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 13, 2008 07:05
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Very Nice Kit
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Price is now $64 and $6 s&h. Not too bad for a modern keyer. This unit will replace my AEA 'Morse Matic' from the 80's. The kit went together quickly and worked. My biggest problem was getting drivers to work on the Vista computer. This took as long as building the kit (for me) but I went through the same issues with getting the wi-fi card to work. It seemed to work after running the driver install 2x and rebooting twice. You have to love VISTA. I have tested it with N1MM and HRD and seems to work fine. I am looking forward to using it stand alone too with my QRP rig but have not tried this yet.
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PA0O
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Rating: 4/5
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Mar 4, 2008 14:43
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WK2 USB 2nd opinion
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Re-review ...
After one evening checking and searching to find out how to silence the 14MHz noise. I could eliminate the qrm almost 100% by using an extra grounding wire from the keyer case to the ground of the radio.
I wrapped one end of the wire arround the USB plug at the keyer and the other end to the set at the shield of the PTT plug.
Now i can use it again also on 14MHz. I realise the posibilty that this qrm problem only happened in my setup. But it is hard to believe that such strong noise is not noticed in other radio's and WinKeyUSB online with N1MM or other loggers. Again the noise is only when the PC + logger is online connected with WK2USB.
It would be so sorry that i could not use this cute keyer just because of digital noise from the USB interfacing.
73 Jaap
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WQ3T
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 3, 2008 12:33
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Very nice keyer
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Anyone who has had a CW QSO with me lately has heard the Winkeyer USB in action. Now I sound like ARRL practice CW, instead of the sloppy bug sound my old Windows 98 PC with serial port optoisolator sent. It is a challenge to install the driver on an old computer, but it sure works well. Assembly was easy except I think there was a wrong value of C5 on the documentation, but the part sent was correct and it went right in. Almost went crosseyed trying to read those eighth watt resistors, but the trusty digital meter showed me their values in big LCD numbers. I went against the instructions and just slapped all the ICs in place, screwed the box together plugged it in and started to rag chew. Now I can type CW till the cows come home, long after the other guy needs medical treatment for J-38 carpal tunnel syndrome. I love the way the memories and settings including speed are set by my log program logger32. Had to upgrade to the latest version so it would work with the USB Winkeyer. The enclosure is first class all the way, probably costs 2/3 of the total price, but properly shields the RF, lays out the buttons knob and jacks just right, and stays put with internal battery weight holding it down. More people should get this thing especially the guys with a captain hook fist.
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