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Reviews For: Idiom Press/Ham Supply Logikey K-3 Keyer

Category: Keyers & CW Keyboards

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Review Summary For : Idiom Press/Ham Supply Logikey K-3 Keyer
Reviews: 65MSRP: 129.95
Description:
Although the Logikey K-3 Keyer has been replaced by the CMOS 4 and K-5 Keyers, K-3 repairs and support are offered by Ham Supply. See Website for details.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.hamsupply.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00654.7
W1JA Rating: 2001-10-04
The best, but still imperfect. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is the CW enthusiast's dream keyer. Get this one and accept no substitutes. From its ability to emulate the subtle timing "feel" of other keyers, to the clever and intuitive code user interface (you adjust the keyer's settings by sending it commands in CW!), it's the be-all, end-all of keyers.

So, why did I rate it just 4 out of 5? Well, there are other factors to consider. First, for $130, it should be AC-line powered. I shouldn't have to mess around with hooking up a separate DC supply; I should just have to plug it in.

Second, for $130 it should have an adjustable sidetone level. A pot would cost just a few extra cents. The "stock" level is deafening. (I fixed mine by adding more resistance in series with the internal speaker.)

Third, the key jack is a mini (not the standard 1/4") size. To make matters worse, it's recessed inside the back skirt of the case (so forget being able to fit a 1/4"-to-mini adapter), and recessed further behind the rear edge of the keyer's internal PC board. This prevents the mating plug from seating fully in the jack. The gold mini stereo plug that Radio Shack sells, for example, does not make contact with the ring on the connector. Perhaps this is an unfortunate tolerance buildup on my unit, but it shouldn't happen on any unit, and indicates a mechanical design problem.

In summary, it's the world's best keyer (I have two of them, including the one I built from the original 1990 QST article), marred by flaws in its execution.
W2VD Rating: 2001-08-23
Good Keyer (But Poor Quality control) Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I finally hooked up my K-3, and discovered that it would not key any of my rigs. The sidetone indicated that I was keying, but my rigs would not transmit. I opened up the K-3 and discovered that the dual phono jack (used for + or - keying) was not soldered to the circuit board! I soldered the connections, then the K-3 worked nicely. In addition, the labels on the rear of the unit appear to be stamped on (yes, like a rubber stamp), and are unevenly stamped. For $129 I expect better quality control. I'd also like to see a volume adjustment for the sidetone (it is loud!). You can add a pot or resistor to cut the volume down to a more pleasing level.

All-in-all, the K-3 has many neat features, and I'm sure a CW op would enjoy this keyer. Just watch for Q/C issues.
K6ANP Rating: 2001-08-04
Outstanding, very short learning curve. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
It is a versatile keyer. No matter what your keying style may be. The K-3 keyer will accommodate you with it's emulation options. It will not take you long to master this keyer. It has a very quick and easy speed adjustment. This is extreamly important during contesting. The quality leaves nothing to be desired. Maximum bang for the buck.
W7ITC Rating: 2001-07-28
I can't image a better keyer Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I'll first point out I have the K-1 model but other then two less buttons on the top it is
about the same as the K-3. I was turned on to this Keyer By a monster contestor. My favorite
feature in the beacon setting, program one of
the buttons to send a CQ out continuously with 10,
15, 30 second pause in between. I set this going
on what seems like a dead band with My Argosy 525.
I just let it go for a couple of hours if needed.
By doing this I have snagged some really juicey
DX. Why Don't I have the K-3, I am so happy with the K-1 I don't feel the need, but I do look at
the two added buttons on the top and plot what I
would do with them. If you want to have fun
and you don't own a "bug" set the Logikey up in that mode and your paddles work like a "bug". I
can't imagine anyone needing any more then a
Logikeyer. I have owned My K-1 for 7 years.
KA6SGT Rating: 2001-06-21
I get more respect now with the K-3 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Experiences with other keyers reminds me of the Rodney Dangerfield line "...I get no respect!"

As I found using the K-3 during it's first contest deployment, I get more respect because of its clean and articulate CW. Having used several brand "X" keyers, I've become used to having to wait my turn to work DX or Contest stations. Once I got their attention, resending my call several times was common and frustrating for both operators.

The 2001 CQ WPX and AA CW contests were excellent test environments for the Logikey K-3. With a few exceptions, stations heard me correct on the first call (I run almost exclusively QRP!) Not only did this keyer perform great, but I found it quite intuitive to program on the fly.

Only problem is the sidetone. WOW! Is that loud. Otherwise the K-3 can become one of the CW operator's best tools.
AF4IT Rating: 2001-03-31
Great keyer but not 5 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The speaker needs a volume control. I modified the K-3 by installing an external speaker jack. I then fed the output to an amp (attenuated) to enable volume control to an external speaker. Works great for practicing off-line.
AI5T Rating: 2001-03-18
Super product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was researching keyers and the Logikey K-3 kept coming up on top. The only thing that put me off -- even though I'm a diehard CW op -- was the business about programming the keyer with Morse code. In the end I overcame my concern and bought it. FABULOUS piece of equipment . . . and the use of Morse code to program and query the unit is absolutely FUN! Hardly any learning curve at all, and it is as natural a way to deal with a machine as you will find. I'm really impressed with the designer -- the K-3 is a CW op's keyer. Don't hesitate to get one for yourself.
VE6SH Rating: 2001-03-12
Unbeatable Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I would give this unit a 6 if I could! This is the keyer to have and outperforms any other memory keyer I have owned.

W9HC Rating: 2001-02-04
As good as promised! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I read the reviews, then I bought the keyer. Good move! It does everything just as advertised and is a pleasure to use. I had some questions, and the service after sale was terrific. I too might have liked to have a volume control on the speaker, but a 1.5 sq. in. piece of duct tape across the speaker port (it's out of sight on the bottom of the keyer) solved the problem nicely.
Want more volume? Use a smaller piece of tape. A no brainer...

The manual is better than most - the learning curve for this keyer is about an hour, then you're ready to rip!

If only all things in ham radio were so good a value.

Steve Brown, W9HC /QRP-ARCI#7074
N7NS Rating: 2000-10-14
Fantastic! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had a number of other keyers (which shall remain nameless) and was disgusted with the poor quality components and bad soldering. One failed the day before Field Day! I bought my commercially built K-3 over two years ago, and it is the best piece of gear I own. With speeds of 5-990 wpm, emulation of other keyers, rapid and flexible programming, incrementing & decrementing serial #'s, stackable playback, pausing etc. it is as flexible as anything can be! I especially like the query function that plays back it's settings. One great piece of gear! Well worth the money.