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Reviews For: Idiom Press/Ham Supply Logikit CMOS 4 Morse Code Keyer

Category: Keyers & CW Keyboards

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Review Summary For : Idiom Press/Ham Supply Logikit CMOS 4 Morse Code Keyer
Reviews: 94MSRP: 99.95 - 139.95
Description:
The CMOS 4 is the little brother to the world famous K-5 Keyer. Unmatched feature list, with the best operator interface available. Additional features include: greater protection against voltage spikes, lightning etc.; all stainless hardware; internal volume control; updated enclosure design; 3-AAA cells will run Keyer for months, or accepts 9-12 volts DC. See Website for full and complete details.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.hamsupply.com/cmos-4-keyer/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00944.9
N5RP Rating: 2002-05-27
Fantastic. At last, a perfect keyer !! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Need I say more?
This keyer is incredible. The overall design, quality of components supplied, pc board layout, really nice enclosure, performance, optional performance features control, intuitive commands structure in the firmware, physical size, all ...........marvelous.
I doubt that I will ever part with this little jewel.
And, BTW, Did I mention that mine was built by my good friend roberto, IV3IYH, who insisted on assembling this wonder box for me so that he could make another incredible contribution to my N5RP station layout. (Next job for Roberto.... Genuine Eye-talian frescoes painted on the ceiling)

NZ7C Rating: 2002-05-25
The ONLY keyer to buy! Time Owned: N.A.
It's all been said by others below and it's all true. I ordered mine as soon as it was announced but did not have time to build it until just now. Bob at Idiom Press has out done himself. It is about as easy a kit to assemble as you will find (perfect for a first kit) and as soon as you pop in the batteries it politely tells you it's OK! You can even adjust the monitor volume! Personally I put it in my shack as a permanent keyer and left the power cord off - reduces the footprint and eliminates one more cable and I can say I built it!. Everything operates like its older brother so if you know one you know the other. The color matches the Palm Paddle and my K2 - you could even mount the Palm Paddle on top and have a dynamite portable paddle. This little gem is a totally class act. IMHO there is no other place to get a keyer except from Idiom Press. Buy it and have fun with it!

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Earlier 5-star review posted by NZ7C on 2002-03-31

Tell you what folks. I love the bigger brother of this little gem. So as soon as I saw Idiom had come out with this, I ordered it without question. Runs on batteries for a year - does what the older brother does AND YOU GET TO BUILD IT - which I love to do!. It will be perfect for my QRP rigs and I love the small foot print. I have 150% faith in Bob at Idiom - so who needs a review hi hi. Besides, if N0SS,aka Tom Hammond, likes it - then you can rest assured he's put it through the mill on testing. Get the feeling I'm sold on Idiom Press? I am - and as required, I HAVE NO connection with them at all. This is one of those companies like Elecraft - ya' just love their stuff1 Anyway, just one fanatics opinion.
WQ8Q Rating: 2002-05-21
Not Another 5.0! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I picked this keyer up at Dayton this year. Had it built in no time, and since I had already used the CMOS Super Keyer III, it was easy to set up and use. This keyer works as advertised, is easy to build, and has high quality parts. Its two-tone gray finish almost perfectly matches the two-tone finish on my Ten Tec Omni V. I like the idea of being able to run off the internal AAA batteries or off 12v shack supply. If you need a keyer, buy this one. You won't be disappointed.
K0PQ Rating: 2002-05-13
Exceptional product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The LogiKit CMOS-4 Keyer is a feature-rich complete kit that operates extremely well. The handsomely finished case, connectors, buttons and all the rest of the hardware needed to complete it are included, as well as the PCB and all its components. The assembly instructions and the Operating Manual are also excellent.

An added bonus: If you're an Elecraft fan, you'll love the color match between the case and your K2.
N1LQ Rating: 2002-04-26
Elegant Kit and Keyer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
A terrific one or two night project that is easy to assemble and well engineered. The keyer functions are the best I have used. Support from Idiom Press was first rate also. Excellent CW accessory for rigs with or without their own internal keyer capability. Used with my Schurr Profi paddles, its an effortless joy to send CW.
N1KSN Rating: 2002-04-24
A smooth keyer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've recently returned to the air with a new FT817. Since this rig has a built-in keyer, I tried electronic keying for the first time and liked it (although I'm not getting rid of my bugs!). However, I have another QRP rig without a keyer, and I was looking for a kit to build, so I decided to give the CMOS 4 a try, especially in light of previous reviews.

As already stated, the kit is very well engineered, and it went together without problem, despite the fact that I hadn't built anything electronic in over 7 years. I did get a bit of binding on pushbutton #1, but adjustment of the cover solved that.

I very much like the feel of this keyer, compared to that built into the FT817, and I plan on using it a lot. I much prefer having the speed control readily adjusted. The built-in speaker is especially helpful since I've been practicing sending off the air to get used to it. I'm not sure how long the 3 AAA batteries inside the case would last with extended use of the speaker, so I've dedicated a 2 Ah gel cell to be the keyer's companion, at least until I stop my off air practice sessions.

One time while I was on the air the keyer just plain stopped dead, and a reset did not solve the problem. Following the troubleshooting guidelines I opened the case and started checking voltages. When I removed an internal AAA battery and then reinserted it, the key came back up OK. I guess a complete power down was needed for some reason. Also, when I tried to use the same power supply as my FT817, I got a weird, changing sidetone from the rig. Going to a separate power supply solved this. Since I run portable on weekends in my living room without a true ground, I'm not shocked (no pun intended) at this.

All in all, I'm very satisfied and look forward to using my CMOS 4 for many contacts.
W4QA Rating: 2002-04-21
Great! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is really a super kit, and a very nicely engineered keyer -- best I have owned, and I have owned a bunch of keyers over the years. The assembly was fun, straightforward, almost "Heathkit-esque". The user interface to the functions in the keyer is done very, very well. You can tell that the software was designed by someone who has actually used a keyer before! Thank you!
KA9RAO Rating: 2002-04-14
well executed Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Nicely engineered. You've read of the mulitple features offered - they all work - and with a marvelously simple interface to boot. Like a good book this kit was hard to put down - start-to-finish time was approx 3 hours and thanks to a well prepared instruction manual there were no hitches. Everynow and again a product comes along that just stands head and shoulders above the rest - this IS that keyer.
W8LX Rating: 2002-04-13
New Favorite Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My only complaints with the Logikey K3 were the lack of a volume adjustment and no provision for internal batteries. The CMOS-4 fixes that, and I very much like the form factor of the new package. Idiom Press keyers are the only ones on the market that have the ability to properly compensate for timing errors that cause many JA rigs to sound choppy on QSK.
K9PX Rating: 2002-04-09
Outstanding Kit Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Went together without a hitch. Excellent instructions. This kit is so good, when word gets out, it may cut into sales of the Logikey K3 Keyer.