| AH6RH |
Rating:      |
2003-06-12 | |
| I really like it! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I bought the unit at Dayton 2003, based on the reviews on eham.net. The kit goes together nicely. Just like a Heathkit in terms of documentation, ease of soldering and assembly. Took about 4 hours, but I double and triple check everything as I proceed. It's complete -- just supply the usual hand tools and solder. Worked the first time!
There are four buttons on the top for regular memory keying. One of the neat features is that you can embed information such as a contest contact serial number within the memory message string. That means, when you program a message which includes /N and press the memory button to send, it will send the contest exchange and automatically increment the serial number.
In case the other station has a problem receiving, you can embed another string /D to decrement the serial number, send it, and increment it. Program that into another memory, and you can send a "repeat" message that includes the same serial number.
On a recent CW contest, I used the hunt-and-pounce method of operating. I programmed the #1 button with my callsign (I send left handed), #3 with the repeat message, and #4 with the "TU 5nn /N" message as a response to the the other station. Press #1 to get his attention, press #4 to make the exchange, and #3 in case he didn't get it. I can work the entire contest by pressing three buttons!
You program or inquire the unit by pressing multiple buttons at the same time. The unit goes into command mode, responds with a letter, and waits for you to key a short CW command. You can change the format of the contest serial number, keying method (Curtis Mode A or B, etc), weighting, normal or reverse keying, initialize the contest serial number, etc.
You also use this method to program the memory string. It took a little while to get used to the editing, but I must admit, it's quite ingenious. Once you start keying, it records into the memory. If you pause a while, it stops recording. If you make a mistake and send multiple dits, it erases the mistaken word you were entering, repeats the last "good" word in CW, then waits for you to complete the message string. I was confused about the keyer repeating the last good word, until I figured out what it was doing.
The speed knob on the front is very convenient for operating, as you can speed up or slow down the sending instantly to match your conditions. The volume control is a pot accessible through a hole in the bottom of the case.
All in all, a very worthy keyer and a very fun project. It really adds fun to CW! |
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| W8TK |
Rating:      |
2003-05-28 | |
| Fun! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I bought a little keyer kit at Dayton and built it yesterday (rained all day). Haven't had so much fun since the days of Heathkit. I have built hundreds of kits, but these instructions were the BEST! They leave nothing in doubt, and are error-free, which is rare these days. Also, while I have a dozen Logikey keyers around the shack (you can never have too many keyers), this little 4-button one is the coolest because it doesn't require an external power source. I hope W9KNI has plans to put the 6-button model into a similar package!
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| NY2LJ |
Rating:      |
2003-04-29 | |
| Superb |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I ordered the built version because "I needed it now!" It arrived on the other side of the country in two days. Let's hear it for fast service. Dropped the batteries in, reset (press three buttons) and off we go.
I cannot say enough good things about the design and the quality of construction. It's smaller than I thought it would be and that's another good reason to take it along. Much cleaner than any built in keyer I have ever used. The interface is so easy. You either ask questions or send commands from the paddle. It seems complex to read about it, but once you try it, you'll never want to go back to the old way.
Lots of options but they do not get in the way. The memories are a pleasure to load. Serial numbers, increment, decrement, pauses, insert message... the capabilities go on and on. Need a beacon? It's a beacon. Want to set up three different sets of four memories each for ragchewing, dx-ing and contesting? Easy.
And THERE IS A VOLUME CONTROL! It's on the bottom. I set it once and that's it.
There is no ON/OFF switch. The three AAA batteries should last a year. That's fine by me. You can use your 12VDC supply as well.
The jacks are well placed. The four buttons and one knob fall naturally into your hand.
One of the best pieces of gear I have ever received. Does what it is supposed to do and does it extremely well.
Well worth the price.
73,
Lonnie NY2LJ |
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| W0FG |
Rating:      |
2003-04-18 | |
| Absolutely amazing! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Having bought my CMOS4 assembled, I can't comment on the kit building experience, but what a neat keyer it is!! Any device that you speak to in Morse and that speaks back to you in kind is my kind of gear. The CMOS4 is the most adaptable, easiest used keyer I've ever seen. I particularly like the ability to precisely set the keyer range I've got mine set at 15-45 wpm, which puts 30wpm top-dead-center on the linear speed control. Touching 2 buttons and sending "s" results in the actual speed being sent back to you in CW to confirm your visual setting. Memories are quick and easy to load and can be banked, looped, and automatically incremented or decremented. There are 6 choices of keyer style, including the good old Curtis A. If you like CW, you'll love the CMOS4.
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| WB5PLJ |
Rating:      |
2003-03-29 | |
| Great kit great keyer |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
great kit! (even if I can't spell) I could make a couple of comments but they are small and insignificant, the types of things that would only suit me. I can be weird...
It was a joy to build taking about three hours, nice relaxing after work project. worked right the first time. If I can build it a potato could probably build it.
Great manual, as I am not by any means an electronics person (Java programer actually) a good manual is a must. Idiom Press did a good job hear. both on the operation manual and the building manual.
It is a hansom product to boot. durable and solid. I like the interface, you talk to it in CW and it talks back. Don't worry I am horrable at CW and it understands me just fine.
The design has all of the features and capabilities of any other keyer I have seen pluss some. a fair amount of thought went into the thing.
On the issue of rig's that have built in keyers. I am using primarly a 706, I instantly got positive comments about the quality without even letting any one know of my new toy. it dose make a differance (at least on this radio) both for the person listining to you and for you (if you use break-in as I do).
I would have no heazitations (theres that spelling again) on purchasing other products from Idiom Press. Thanks guys. |
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| W4WQ |
Rating:      |
2003-03-14 | |
| Great Keyer-Couldn't ask for More |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I purchased the CMOS4 Keyer fully assembled from Idiom Press. After using if for a month or so, I don't know how I ever got along without one. The absolute simplicity of configuring and using it is truely amazing. If I want to use the internal monitor, I just touch Buttons 1&2 and key in M for "Monitor". Creating and editing memorized text is as simple; as is setting or verifying the range of the KEYER SPEED control, or even seeing what the keying speed is at any setting of the control knob.
This keyer is a true WINNER in my book. Get one, you won't be sorry!! |
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| K5KA |
Rating:      |
2003-03-14 | |
| A FB Keyer |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
This is a full function keyer and the kit is easy to build. A small package that is well done.
K5KA |
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| KG9HV |
Rating:      |
2003-02-28 | |
| Great keyer kit |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I ordered the kit on the web site early Tuesday morning and it was here Thursday morning, they weren't kidding about fast ship.
I put the keyer together in 3 hours and it worked
great from the git go. I am using it on my TS-530S and it is great. It has too many functions to list and it can be switched from solid state and tube rigs with a jumper in a couple minutes.
I highly recommend this keyer to anyone who runs
cw. |
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| W2XS |
Rating:      |
2003-02-12 | |
| Very Nice! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I just built the CMOS-4 kit. It worked the first time. I have used the CMOS-1 since the early 1980's, and the CMOS-2 for several years. The CMOS-4 is really a great combination of features in a nice small package. I love the dual-button features for commonly-used things like "key down" for tuning the Johnson Matchbox. I use the automatic character spacing (like the WB4VVF Accukeyer from the 70's) and a Brown Brothers BTL-A paddle. The auto serial number generator is great for QRP and other contests when used with N3FJP's logging software. It matches the colors of my equipment, too. |
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| DF3IAL |
Rating:      |
2003-01-23 | |
| This is it! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Reserve a full weekend for this project.
Not that you need that to build it but I could not let go of it after it was up and running....
The documentation is excellent.
I got the kit delivered to the door. No customs duty.
This keyer is the best I have ever had.
73 Andy DF3IAL |
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