Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: K1EL K-20 CW keyer and keyboard

Category: Keyers & CW Keyboards

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : K1EL K-20 CW keyer and keyboard
Reviews: 25MSRP: 25
Description:
The K1EL K-20 is a minature PCB that uses TWO PIC computers and includes a full featured CW keyer for use with a paddle AND a full featured CW Keyboard.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.k1el.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00255
KC0IOX Rating: 2002-07-04
Nice product! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just used one of these for the first time at Field Day, and a great, easy to use product. I ordered one that Sunday afternoon. It arrived a week later, and went together very easily. I got it working, and it works great, but I had to get a newer model keyboard. My 12 year old keyboard had problems with RF, but switching to my newer keyboard did the job. It has a lot of features, and Steve is very good support on putting it together. One other feature I like is the code practice, where it will send you 5 random letters and you can either listen to it, or type it back, and it will go as fast as you want. This is the best addition I've made to my shack in quite a while. Nice product!
N1KSN Rating: 2002-07-03
Works as advertised Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The kit went together easily. I put it in a cast aluminum enclosure to avoid stray RF from my portable antenna. I replaced the on-board small DIN connector with a larger 5-pin connector attached to the enclosure and splurged on the keyboard, getting a special compact model that takes up less room from Jaemco.

The unit works great, although I haven't yet gotten used to typing ahead. Programming is very easy, too. I plan on using the keyboard when I get too tired to send well by hand. Now I have a range of keys with which to send --straight key, bug, paddle, or keyboard.
KG4NXP Rating: 2002-06-05
Excellent product Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have been using the product now for a few months and have had no problem. Myne has been running on the 9V batt for at least 2 months.

If you want to not use the keyboard, look at the k10+.

73's
VE2XLT Rating: 2001-09-04
fine product ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Assembled and tested in few hours - works fine!
Did few QSO with my 2 HF rigs....no problems...
Had a CMOS Super Keyer 3 before and find K20
more versetile...Probably will order another K10
unit to be able to control speed etc. with pots.
VE3XDB Rating: 2001-08-22
Very cool! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
A very interesting idea, well executed and built by a gentleman who is very helpful and easy to deal with.

The kit is well documented, and goes together easily. The IC's seem to be immune/resistant to electostatic discharge and clumsy fingers.

A couple of suggestions for builders:

1. Install the 7805 voltage regulator so that is can be bent over, off the board, and tied to a heat sink. It get's hot!

2. If you are going to use an external speaker, use a variable resistor to control volume, or try several values for R8 - the 100 ohm resistor makes for loud audio on an small outboard speaker.

3. For power, use an AC adaptor or a power supply of some kind. I originally wired this up for use with a 9V battery, and it didn't last long.

Overall, an easy project to complete, worked the first time. Documentation, which can be found on the internet, is excellent.

I would recommend this to those who are interested in sending cw with the keyboard. If you are simply looking for a keyer, another solution may suit you better, because you would need a paddle, a keyboard and this keyer. I think this is a lot of hardware for this application.

I use this to send code on 20 and 40 metres. Hope to work you sometime!

73

Doug VE3XDB
BV2WN Rating: 2001-08-06
excellent keyer/keyboard Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I received Steve's K20 and spent my Sunday
afternoon to build my first kit. When the
power was applied, it worked as advertised. I am
much delighted.

The instructions are clear-cut that guide a
novice kit builder like me step by step.

Very pleased and the keyer has more functions
than you can imagine. Sure a breeze for contest
hams.

The Morse practice mode is also useful. I am
running 27 WPM and hopefully to
pass the local Class 1 license this
year. (20 WPM required here in Taiwan)

73, Frank, bv2wn
K7FU Rating: 2001-07-28
Works as advertised! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After a painful wait for the (very small) package, i finally got my keyer! It wasn't the Post Office, it just hadn't been mailed. Well, what do you expect for $25?

What you get is a great keyboard/memory/paddle keyer that works as advertised. Back in the early 80's, a friend spent hours trying to get a keyboard keyer working from a QST article and it never worked correctly. This kit went together in no time and has all the options I've ever seen.

The only drawback is that you really need a keyboard to control the keyer, which can be a problem if you have limited desk space.

With less buttons and knobs, it was much easier to package this thing than my original CMOS Super Keyer.
KC3HN Rating: 2001-07-16
Great Product Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Steve has done a first rate job of design and programming. The K-20 substantially exceeds my expectations.
WB0SED Rating: 2001-06-21
Great keyer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just put it together--Wow does it work!!!!!!
Easy to build--easy to program
very well thought out and performs beautifully.

A wonderful addition to the shack and contesting.
Good company to deal with--quick and complete.
N3TND Rating: 2001-05-16
Superb, easy building keyer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I completely agree with the previous reviews. With the excellent downloadable instructions this feature-packed keyer builds fast and works like a champ. Quality job K1EL.