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Reviews For: PicoKeyer from N0XAS

Category: Keyers & CW Keyboards

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Review Summary For : PicoKeyer from N0XAS
Reviews: 89MSRP: 17.99
Description:
Completely self-contained version of the original PicoKeyer, first introduced in 2003. The PicoKeyer features four memories, all connections and power on board (no external wiring needed), speed control, simple one-button menu based setup, beacon mode, and much more.
Keying modes supported are iambic A and B, Ultimatic, Bug and straight key/cootie. Hands-free tuneup mode lets you tune with either constant key-down or 50% duty cycle dits. Easy, quick assembly make this a great club or group build project!
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.hamgadgets.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00894.9
KE7FHO Rating: 2006-07-15
Terrific little keyer!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Mine went together in 20 minutes or so including time to warm up the soldering iron. Works great, increased my CW speed just by not worrying about lengths of dits and dahs. Only problem I have is I can't figure out how to "...enter Message mode" to put in a canned CQ. As is it's still a great improvement over what I did before. Overall, one of the better deals out there.
KI4BBL Rating: 2006-07-14
Does not suffer from rfi Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have tried many keyers. I needed something that worked with negative and positive keying, and the picokeyer fit the bill. I have had it for a year now, and it still works great. Just added the pot, and it is even more desirable.

Other keyers I have had would get erratic keying due to rfi (antenna's close to the house.) Not Dale's keyers. Also, just emailed him about an enclosure, and he helped me out with a suggestion. Very cool indeed.
CT2HME Rating: 2006-07-10
Wow! That was easy! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got home after work to find out the kit on my mailbox. Everything was neatly packed and nothing was missing.
Delivery was also fast! The kit made it all the way across the Atlantic in just a few days.
Anyway, I sat down, fired my soldering iron and about 20 minutes latter I heard my kit say "73".
After that I dug up my paddles and started playing with it. It works just great!
So, if you're looking for a keyer kit that offers a great price/quality relation... you just found it!
WA1UMD Rating: 2006-06-19
Great keyer ! Easy kit ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Very easy to assemble on a 1.25x2 inch board. No SMT's. All parts supplied including battery except case. I used a $3 Radio Shack plastic box. Easy to understand and flexable programming.

For less than $25 you have a keyer better than commercial units selling much more than this.

I wish I had known about this unit before throwing away $55 on a MFJ piece of junk econo keyer.
K8CXM Rating: 2006-04-18
One sweet little keyer! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
It's nice to find a product for a low price that is as good as this one. I very quickly retired my old MFJ keyer once I brought this little baby online. I mounted it in an Altoid (Spearmint) can and even my wife thought it was 'cute'. Very fine little keyer and well worth the $20 and the 30 minutes build time.Very, very satisfied!
CT1DRB Rating: 2006-04-18
Very nice keyer. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I got this super key last year and till now I am very happy with it. Up to now is the best keyer I have saw for the price/quality. First I got all except pot, in last request I asked for the pot and now is working very fine without problems. I use it for all CW operation: permanent or portable and no problem up to now. I advice this keyer for all because is very cheap, easy to assemble and Dale is always qrv for any request.
KI4OJC Rating: 2006-04-16
Wonderful keyer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This kit was easy to assemble. Dale's communication was perfect. The kit performed exactly as he describes. I added the pot for instant adjustment of keyer speed; it is a little sensitive and dependent on what keyer speed you set as the default, but a good additional feature. Memory features are easy to use. I installed mine in a small pipe tobacco tin, with the pot in the lid, and it is part of my backpacking rig. Works well with straight keys and paddles; I use it both on the trail and at base with a Finger Tip Tapper. I have no intention of spending any more money on another keyer--I will not need one! This is, therefore, the best deal in keyers--hands down!

Bevin KI4OJC, Lynchburg, VA
W7KKK Rating: 2006-04-06
Simple Kit Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Dale has a very nice and very simple to assemble kit. If you know how to solder at all it should take you less than 30 minutes. A 25 watt iron is ideal for assembley.
All you will need for the basic kit is an enclosure such as the Altoids can and a couple of mini stereo jacks for the key and the output to the rig.
A kit of this type should be the first kit built by a ham.
KC2CT Rating: 2006-03-30
Foolproof Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I purchased a PicoKeyer 6 months ago and finally got around to putting it together. Total build time was 15 minutes.

I put the keyer into a Jiffy box plastic enclosure with external key/rig jacks, speed control pot, programming button and DC power jack. No surprises; it worked the first time. Programming is straightforward.

You cannot buy the individual parts cheaper than the cost of the entire kit.

BTW: The price is USD $17.99. I'll be purchasing another kit for portable operation and you should too!

73,

Jan - KC2CT / VK2ILO
N6UOK Rating: 2006-03-30
great first project Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My review is from a different angle than other folks.

I recommend the PicoKeyer as a beginner's first project. A person with limited experience with a soldering iron will gain confidence and pleasure from building N0XAS's kit.

The instructions, components and printed circuit board are first-rate. Many components are not polarity-sensitive. The matchbox-sized keyer includes its own battery holder and side-tone speaker. Adding a telegraph key (straight key, iambic key or bug) lets you enjoy the kit immediately.

Given the low cost, low parts count and short build time, I would encourage folks to have keyer-building parties aimed at newcomers to the hobby.

Incidentally, I recommend the Hakko FX-901 cordless soldering iron for kit-building parties. No electrical cables to get tangled and mixing up people's components!

73 DE N6UOK