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eHam Forums => Contesting => Topic started by: N5CM on March 09, 2023, 08:04:33 PM

Title: Voice Keyer for Contesting
Post by: N5CM on March 09, 2023, 08:04:33 PM
Is there a favorite voice keyer among phone contesters?

Most of my contesting is Field Day, Winter Field Day, and our state QSO party, and I operate mostly CW.  My WinKeyer serves nicely in that service.

Should I eventually take the plunge and try to operate phone in a contest, what should I look for for a voice keyer?

Tnx es 73,

John
Title: Re: Voice Keyer for Contesting
Post by: AF5CC on March 09, 2023, 10:58:37 PM
Hi John,

If you use N1MM software, and have your computer interfaced to your radio for digital modes, you have all you need.  You just record the voice messages that you want, and save them on the harddrive of the computer, and then the function keys of N1MM can play them.

Many radios have built in voice keyers today so I assume many contesters are using their rigs keyer.  My Yaesu FT450AT has a built in voice keyer and I can use the function keys on N1MM to play the messages.

73 John AF5CC
Title: Re: Voice Keyer for Contesting
Post by: K5LXP on March 10, 2023, 05:55:51 AM
For contests I'm 94% CW but one year for FD I decided I would work some SSB.  I ended up using an old android phone running a voice keyer app, with the headphone output Y'd with the mic for the rig.  Used VOX, and a handheld PTT for mic use.  Maybe not as elegant as a "real" contester setup with a logging computer and software, but I was portable and this filled the bill.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
Title: Re: Voice Keyer for Contesting
Post by: K0IZ on March 10, 2023, 06:23:46 AM
I am also interested in a simple stand-alone voice keyer.  I run my station remotely using a laptop, and would like a little box with a button or two that Y-s into the mic jack.  I push the button and the radio (on VOX) transmits the recorded CQ.  I realize I could do this on the laptop but not my preference.  There are a number of voice chips so hoping maybe someone has already cobbled together something that I could imitate.
Title: Re: Voice Keyer for Contesting
Post by: K0IZ on March 10, 2023, 07:24:03 AM
I just did an eBay search and came across a bunch of ISD1820 modules.  Might have possibilities. 
Title: Re: Voice Keyer for Contesting
Post by: K3TN on March 11, 2023, 02:57:21 AM
There was an MFJ one, I think still is.

In the old days, there was a DVK-100 - I sold mine to another ham a few years ago, but you might find one on sale used.

As note, today most ops use PC sound card audio or voice memories built into their xcvr.

73 John K3TN
Title: Re: Voice Keyer for Contesting
Post by: W1VT on March 11, 2023, 03:45:38 AM
I made a voice keyer out of a gift card.  It had one of those ISD modules.
Title: Re: Voice Keyer for Contesting
Post by: KG4RUL on March 11, 2023, 04:20:55 AM
I use, a now out of production, Idiom Press/Ham Supply, LogiTALKER, voice keyer.  If you can find a used one, grab it!
Title: Re: Voice Keyer for Contesting
Post by: K3TN on March 16, 2023, 05:24:02 AM
Might be sold already but local ham Jack N4RV just put his MFJ voice keyer on sale this morning. Contact him at his QRZ.com email address (or callbook address, as we used to say back in the day...) (but I guess no email then!)

73 John K3TN
Title: Re: Voice Keyer for Contesting
Post by: K0IZ on March 18, 2023, 12:02:52 PM
I ordered a couple of the ISD-1820 modules.  Got the keyer working.  Fun little project.  Only one message, but that meets most of my needs.