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Reviews For: ID-O-MATIC IV

Category: Ham Repeater Controllers

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Review Summary For : ID-O-MATIC IV
Reviews: 7MSRP: 39
Description:
repeater controller with Morse and voice ID for under fifty bucks
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.hamgadgets.com/id-o-matic-iv
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0074.7
N4DBM Rating: 2020-01-31
Excellent value Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I ordered the "kit" form and the price is unbeatable. You need to know computer basics, like how to install the downloadable driver, be familiar with a terminal program like HyperTerminal or PuTTY, and how the PC recognizes virtual COM ports.

I interfaced my controller into a Kenwood TKR-820. I used the raw detector audio out for RX and flat audio in for TX. The adjustment range on the ID-O-MATIC was excellent. You can you filtered, de-emphasized RX audio and pre-emphasized TX audio on most equipment as well, but many times the TX audio from the controller using this method will have way too much drive. If this is your only choice, you may have to use a voltage divider network on the TX audio which consists only of a couple of resistors.

Overall, this controller is perfect for a stand-alone basic repeater system that needs a CW ID to be legal. Great product.
PE2AAB Rating: 2019-08-30
Great controller for little money Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got two Motorola GM-340 radio's that we want to set up as a local repeater. We had no controller and I was investigating RPI's with SVXLink. A good solution but you need to have Linux knowledge, you need additional hardware such as optocouplers between in/outputs, relays, soundcards etc.

The quick and very satisfying solution was the ID-O-Matic IV.
It can ID the mandatory callsign, it has the possibility to beacon voiceID's with optional Voice Module and it has courtesy beeps.

Our repeater is running in test on it right now. So far so good. It will be placed in the field within weeks.
WB6TAE Rating: 2019-01-01
Adequate Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The ID-O-Matic is a very basic station ID and repeater controller offering a minimal set of functions including:
-Automatic periodic ID in CW and optionally, with an extra module, voice.
-An optional "Courtesy (Roger) Beep" when the incoming carrier is dropped.
-- The "beep" consists of one or more characters sent in audible morse code.
-A separate "beep" is available for input timeouts.
- The speed, volume, and pitch of the beep and ID are controllable
-Timing controls for maximum talk-time (PTT) hang time, ID time, etc.
-Option for one alternate ID message (based on the state (high or low) on an input line.
-Beacon control functionality.
-An option to control an external fan.
-Programming is via a terminal connection over USB using a simple menu based system.

The following common repeater control functions are not available:
-Other than a gain control, there is no processing of audio.
-There is no processing of CTCSS (PL, DPL, etc.).
--This means any use of CTCSS on Rx or Tx must be done in the radios themselves.
-There is no provision to trigger an ID with an external signal.
-There is no provision to have an alternate "beep" or "beeps." (For example, when on battery power.)
--Note, while sales material states it is possible to have an alternate "beep," such an option does not appear in the programming menu and is not documented in the manual.
-There is no logging.

Other than for backup power, it is specifically not recommended to configure the controller or to even leave the USB control line connected during operation. This means you should not plan on being able to alter the program remotely. However, In practice leaving the controller connected to a PC during operation does not seem to exhibit any problems, as long as you take care to Quit the programming menu after use.

For the price, for a very basic repeater system, this probably cannot be beat. However, do consider the design, documentation and firmware are now 5 years old and the original developer Dale, N0XAS, is no longer with the company having sold it to the current owner, Dan, W7RF in 2017. This change may impact the level and quality of support available.
WD6EBC Rating: 2018-05-23
Very simple but good controller Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought the ID-O-Matic kit over a year ago. It was fun to assemble with good instructions. The controller is a very basic no frills controller, but it's under $50 and works well. I use it to control a low power portable UHF repeater comprised of two Motorola GM300 UHF radios and a mobile duplexer. The only thing I had to modify was a resistor value to give the audio path a little more volume for the Motorola radio. Other than that, it was plug and play. I recommend this controller if you want to experiment with building a repeater and don't want to spend a lot of money.
WX8OH Rating: 2018-04-22
Great little Controller! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Love my new Controller/IDer! Using on UHF Repeater testing.
I ordered it Programmed and it was easy wire in and worked
First try out of the box. Had to adjust the three Audio pots up 99% to get the levels I needed but sounds great!

Was surprised to hear Voice ID on power up! Finally got to hear the CW ID by disabling Tone in my Repeater and leaving the squelch open on power up then closing it I hear the last half of my Call. The CW ID kicks in if you’re in QSO and the timer trips it. Otherwise it’s Voice Announced.

Really like this little Controller. I got it with the Enclosure and programmed to my Specs. from RadioDan on eBay. Has a Courtesy Beep also I specified the pitch on.
K6LO Rating: 2017-11-18
Simple and slick Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The kit instructions and execution are complete, comprehensive, and well considered. This is a very flexible "basic plus" repeater controller. Programming is a snap using the built in terminal interface. Super product, great price point, and prompt shipping. Well done!
KF7IWZ Rating: 2017-03-10
Great controller at an incredible price point Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Kits, (yes I have 2 in service) arrived quickly, were easy to assemble, easy to program, easy to interface, and are working as expected. what more can you ask!!! I had 2 previous models that never gave me any trouble but wanted to update for the added features.