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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
KC5NGX Rating: 2006-01-10
PicoKeyer review Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The Picokeyer is a excellent keyer! It goes together fast and the quality of the PCB and components are excellent! As far as customer service, Dale is the absolute best. I recommend this keyer to anyone who is thinking of purchasing a keyer. Check out this keyer before you go and spend $100.00 or more another brand of keyer!

Thanks Again!
John Strunck
KC5NGX
KO6EF Rating: 2005-12-31
Great keyer Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The picokeyer is a wonderful little keyer that
requires low voltage, and with the regulator and
pot adjustment for speed, it works great.
Iv'e had 2 models, one with the button battery, and the newer one.
I must say that customer service is what really
makes it a pleasure to do business with Dale
Botkin! Always willing to answer a question attitude from Dale really makes a difference as
opposed to other keyers. And a low price on top of it all!
KD8AWZ Rating: 2005-11-18
Fantastic! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
If you are considering buying either a PicoKeyer or the ID-O-Matic, please read all of this!

I ordered and just received both of these devices, and if they do half of what was advertised, I am sure I will be happy with them – but that isn’t what you need to know. Dale, N0XAS, and customer service is what this is all about.

Before I finally bought the ID-O-Matic and PicoKeyer, I e-mailed Dale around a gazillion times with all kinds of questions, and a request that I was sure Dale would turn down.

I have a medical condition that also limits my dexterity and I can no longer build little kits like this, even as well laid out as Dale’s kits are. I asked Dale if he sold the kits already assembled, or if he knew someone that could do the assembly for me.

I also told Dale that I wanted to power these off of my radio 12-volt power supply, and asked if I could do that. Not only did Dale do the assembly of both kits for me, he rigged up voltage regulator and set it all up for me!

I really don’t think that Dale wants to get into the assembly business, but this is the kind of customer service he provides. He built them the same day I ordered, shipped them out the same day I ordered, and they were in my mailbox a few days later! Oh - did I mention he didn’t charge extra for all this “extra” service?

If you have need of a timer or a memory keyer, there are others you could buy, but if real customer support from the company that you buy from is important to you, there just isn’t any better than HamGadgets and Dale!
KD7VEM Rating: 2005-09-19
Fun little keyer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Shipped quickly, easy to assemble, mostly easy to use. I added a small trip pot to adjust the speed (digikey 3352W-503-ND, $1.24) and glued a bit of foam to the bottom for insulation.

In use it isn't perfect, owing to the single control button and the buzzing side tone (instead of a pure sine wave tone).

I don't use if for operation, just for practice, and it's perfect for that.
F8EKX Rating: 2005-09-19
Super keyer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
For me this keyer is a marvel!
Traditionally with the US made, the note of assembly is very very detailed, and precise.
All the components are very well printed on the pcb.
Consequently you can build this keyer in 20 mn. with notice, and in 30 mn. without! ( don't reverse the capacitors).
After that, it any more but does not remain to insert the battery in its housing, and it would not be astonishing that you hear --... ...-- !
As regards the programming, this kit has all the functionalities of a keyer ten times more expensive.
And for programm ???.....................Use your paddle to discuss with him !!!

mni 73 for all

Thierry







W6WO Rating: 2005-06-28
Functional and fun Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I used the keyer for heavy duty on Field Day this year and it performed flawlessly. Out of curiousity I checked the battery voltage afterwards. It was 2.87 Volts compared to 3.5 Volts of a fresh battery. I wonder what is the lowest voltage for the keyer to work properly. Perhaps Dale can let us know what to expect.
M3SRF Rating: 2005-05-26
Fantastic!! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Got this as a "first project" for CW -
Service is great- it arrived excelently packaged and fast from the States
Documentation is fantastic - board is very neatly layed out instructions are very clear
I managed to get mine up and running in less than 20 minutes !!
(though it took me a while longer to find a suitable box and get it fitted in)
Everyone that I have shown it to has been very impressed at its size and neatness
Thank you for an excelent product..
N2UBQ Rating: 2005-03-26
Great first project!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Here's what I know about building ham stuff: "The pointy end of the soldering iron is hot, don't touch it." Despite this total lack of knowledge and the lack of an Elmer looking over my shoulder I put together the PicoKeyer in about 30 minutes and got a very stress-relieving "73" as soon as I dropped the battery in. JACKPOT! Plugged in my Bencher Paddles and it works like a charm. Did I mention that it was here in about 5 days? Did I mention that it came in under $20 including shipping? I haven't been this satisfied in a product in a long time. Dale, N0XAS is the man!!!
WO7T Rating: 2005-03-24
A+++ Quality & Value Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I've got a couple of these now. The are nice and small, and mount in vintage rigs beautifully to add electronic keyer capabilites for roughly $20.

I set the keyer speed to what I like, then bury in the innards of vintage solid state gear like the old TS-130S.

It also serves me well with outboard use, and the memories it provide are more than adequate.

Instructions are clear and assembly is easy. Anyone can build these things. Enjoy yours.

I see Dale is selling them off of E-Bay, as well as direct.

73
Mark
KC9EQC Rating: 2005-02-28
Perfect for first time kit builder Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is an awsome little keyer, I built mine in 45 min even with distractions around the house and it worked the first time. I got it to use with a SW+40 qrp kit that I have ordered, but after using it with my TS-570 I think I'll have to get another one for the SW+40!! This little keyer is much better than the one in my Kenwood.

Very fast delievery too, I ordered it on a Friday night and got it in the mail the following Monday.

For under $20.00 you just can't beat this great little keyer.