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Reviews For: AmpKeyer Interface

Category: Interfaces, Radio to computer, amp, rotor, coax switch, internet

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Review Summary For : AmpKeyer Interface
Reviews: 45MSRP: 49.95
Description:
Use your new rig to key an old linear amplifier. Many older linear amps require a higher contact voltage and current rating to key an amp than is built into the newer rigs. This device solves that problem.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.theheathkitshop.com/page13/_ampkeyer.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00455
DAN_TAYLOR_EX_N9GT Rating: 2006-01-06
Excellent Product! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently found a SB-200 that was in mint condition, but was not sure of a good way to interface it with my ICOM-706G. After doing some searching for ideas and reading the reviews here, I decided to purchase the AmpKeyer. Mike was very helpful and very quick to respond to my e-mails. The interface is EXTREMELY well-constructed and documentation is provided for popular combinations, along with basic info on the keyer itself. It was simply a matter of splicing a RCA patch cable to my ICOM's accessory pigtail and another RCA patch cable from the interface output to the SB-200 input and I was ready to go in about 30 minutes. I used a wall wart I had laying in the junk box to power the interface (almost anything will work according to the docs). Without a hitch, the amp keys perfectly. The status LED along with the standby switch are great features, as the stock SB-200 has no standby, so the amp can be left running if you decide not to use it. I feel better knowing there are no high voltages on the ICOM that could cause any damage. I use the relay switching as recomended rather than the MOSFET for this particular amp.
Shipping is fast and the price is excellent considering the quality of constuction and the components that Mike uses on the board. It is easily worth much more, especially considering the headaches it eliminates! I would recomend the AmpKeyer to anyone looking for a sure-fire solution to interfacing one of the "classic" amps to the newer rigs.
AI8H Rating: 2005-05-13
This is Wonderful! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This works super with all of my strange collection of radios and amplifiers, no exceptions. A couple of 'toughies' are (were) an Icom 706 to a Collins 30L-1 and a TS-940 to an LK500.

At $39.95 each, it will be easy to dedicate one to each setup.

Have had some of the other very limited, expensive, and badly designed/built commercial junk. (harrumph)

I like to build my own stuff, but cannot stress enough the easy implementation of the AmpKeyer ... The case itself is worth the $$, to say nothing of the quality coating and lettering upon it, the great workmanship of the pc board, fast shipping, documentation, swell packing, etc.

So, there!

KC8BNR Rating: 2005-04-22
Top Notch Quality Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Recieved in a flash, Product is just what was needed to connect a SB-200 to a TS-2000.
Directions were very well written, this is my first Amp and i got it right the first try. (HiHi)
Called Mike and he was very understanding and he answered my questions 100%.
Very nice to have a standby switch built in.
Would highly recommend this product.
Thanks Mike and keep the great products coming!
73's
Brian
KC8BNR
N8QZ Rating: 2005-03-06
Plug n Play! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Received within a few days of the order (same State!) and finally got around to hooking it up. My SB-221 has been idle for a couple of years since I now have a 756 Pro. Had all of the cables in my junk box and it works flawlessly.

Worked the ARRL SSB contest and had fun catching a few new countries. Power counts on these week-ends.

Highly recommend and good follow up e-mails (from Mike, WB8VGE,SunLight Energy Systems,The Heathkit Shop)when I had a number of wall warts to choose from.
N0FGK Rating: 2005-03-03
Nice Unit... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got the unit hooked up today. Quality construction.....yes I took it apart...:) Works like a charm with my rig and amp. Soon as I get my other station set up I'll buy another one.
K9ZBM Rating: 2005-02-27
Mine worked FB, too Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I received my AmpKeyer in the mail yesterday, but was gone to a hamfest. It took about an hour today to make up the interface cables. The Ampkeyer does what it is supposed to in keying up my Collins 30L-1. The PC board is a quality silkscreened glass/epoxy board. The directions suggest that you can open up the cover, and visually examine the PC board and componets. How many manufacturers invite you to do this with their products???

Thank you for an excellent/quality product at a most reasonable price ($39.95 + $6.00 shipping).
NM4K Rating: 2005-02-14
Excellent Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I purchased the AmpKeyer about 6 or 7 months ago because I wanted to interface several radios to two amps. I have a Drake L-4 & L-7. Using a homebrew station control, I ran the keying lines from 4 HF radios thru the controller to the AmpKeyer. I then switched the output of the AmpKeyer to the 2 amps. Everything works fantastic. I can run any radio to either amp within seconds. I really like the standby switch on the AmpKeyer because you can sit it on top of one of your radios and have it right in front of you. The L-4 does not have standby but the L-7 does, I use the standby on the AmpKeyer for both. I plan on purchasing another AmpKeyer for my farm station, I highly reccommend this unit.
WB2ABD Rating: 2005-02-10
works FB Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Time owned: 1 year Easy to hook up.

I occasionally use an old AmpSupply LK500ZC, which used to fry the keying relay in my old TS940 no matter what fix I tried. I now use a MKV Field and ordered the AmpKeyer to isolate it ( optical isolation). No problems encountered with this set-up.
The Field did eventually have an internal keying line problem ( not due to the Ampkeyer). Mike was most helpful in determining how to work around it. Almost instantaneous replies to my emails!
If you're in doubt about keying an amplifier with your rig, this productis highly recommended. Pretty hard to beat the warranty, too.

KA9VAA Rating: 2004-11-29
Excellent ! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I ordered the ampkeyer and received it in aweek, very fast shipping. I use it with a Kenwood ts 950 -930 and a 830 along with a sb 200 and a sb220 and it works perfect. Very simple to hook up. I found the first thing in the instructions interesting, open it up and see what is inside, what you find is a very well constructed unit. I also like the stand by switch, didn't want to put holes in the heaths to add a switch. For 40 bucks you won't go wrong!
W6HSC Rating: 2004-11-25
Excellent product Time Owned: more than 12 months.
While some radios will properly key your amplifier without damage to the xcvr's relay, why take the overcurrent and (potential) xcvr component wear risks? The AmpKeyer is a wonderful product in this regard. Why? 1/ It is constructed with the highest quality components (it is not just a transistor switch), pcb, and chassis. 2/ The LEDs indicate the operating status of the device. 3/ The MOSFET output is silent, but if you need the higher current relay it is there for your use. 4/ The standby/operate switch is a very nice touch even if your amp has such a function. 5/ The switching function is optically isolated. 6/ While I have not tested it, the reverse power protection is a nice feature.

I also have the MFJ competitive amplifier keyer. The MFJ product is of very "lightweight" construction, and it is simply a transistor switch. Does the MFJ product work? Yes, but it sells for a higher price than the AmpKeyer, and it is nowhere near the quality or feature set. The AmpKeyer is THE product to buy for this purpose.