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Reviews For: Katsumi EKM-150

Category: Keys & Paddles

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Review Summary For : Katsumi EKM-150
Reviews: 6MSRP:
Description:
Mains powered integrated paddles/keyer
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0063
W7MBR Rating: 2014-06-30
Reviewing the EK-150 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Many of these were used in the Merchant Marines throughout the world for their reliability so they can't be as bad as some say. I have had the EK-150 for several years and it's worked perfectly. The built in paddles can be adjusted quite well and very good CW can be sent using them if you are a decent CW operator. Poor operators may have trouble with them. Great complete keyer package!
26JLH Rating: 2011-06-03
LASTES ONE HOUR THEN SMOKE.. Time Owned: N.A.
GOT ONE ON EBAY THE LIGHT KEPT GOING OUT,THEN SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE BOARD ONE SN7474 BURNT MAINS TRANSFORMER WELL ONE IS US. DIODE SHORTED..TOTAL RUBBISH...JEFF
G3OZN Rating: 2008-05-14
An old faithful Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had this key (EK150) many years and used it on many rigs before internal keyers became the vogue.
I find it very reliable and would not part with it for the world, ok not as good as my Schurr instrument but if the Schurr lasts as long I will not complain.
Incidentally these keyers were used by English coastal stations (fish phone on 160 metres!)and there is photographic evidence of this.
ZS1TTZ Rating: 2007-12-05
Solid workhorse Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased one of these new in 1979.

Since then it has travelled the world with me on many ships, connected to several different types of high powered marine transmitters, survived countless bumpy rides in aircraft cargo holds and, having sent thousands of telegrams in a marine environment is still in daily use on my home station keying everything from a Viking Ranger to the latest Yaesu.

It has never missed a beat !!

Can't get much better than that, no complaints at all.

73 de Adrian / ZS1TTZ
G4AON Rating: 2001-07-01
Good door stop Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I assume the description given to an EKM-150 is very much the same as my EK-150, it sounds identical. Not having seen the EKM variant I cannot be sure.

I've owned an EK-150 squeeze keyer for years.

Firstly it's not safe for 230 volt mains use (here in the UK the mains is 230 volts), if anyone has one they should investigate the mains wiring. In mine there were two 120 volt transformers wired in series, the on-off switch was rated for 125 volts! I removed the mains wiring and transformers to avoid danger from such stupid construction practices.

The EK-150 paddles are nothing more than a pair of micro switches fitted "back to back" and have a poor feel (is this where the EKM differs?), there is some adjustment, but it's not what you would want for serious operating.

The relay is very "clunky" and the transistor keying won't key many rigs!

Makes a good door stop!
G0FOS Rating: 2000-10-28
Good unit Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This unit, which I picked up second hand, and have never seen anywhere else, is now a 'keeper'. It comprises of a metal rectangular box about 5" long, 4" wide and 2" deep. The unit has adjustable keying paddles front and centre, a monitor with adjustable volume, speed control, transistor or relay output. No memory functions. It is a well built and simple unit, which has given many years of service and you can send at 40wpm on it with accuracy.