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Reviews For: MFJ-495 MEMORY KEYER

Category: Keyers & CW Keyboards

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Review Summary For : MFJ-495 MEMORY KEYER
Reviews: 14MSRP: 159.95
Description:
A full-featured memory keyer with LCD display to set fuctions and show sending message. It keys CW from a paddle, a keyboard and a serial computer interface. It has 32 message memories, over 8000 characters.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mfjenterprises.com/products.php?prodid=MFJ-495
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00144.6
KF4ULD Rating: 2020-05-13
Great! You have to remove the LCD film. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Many complain about the LCD screen being hard to read. Reach in with a pin and "grab" the film the covers the screen and pluck of a corner then peel it the rest of the way off. It makes a BIG DIFFERENCE having the film off. I love all aspects of this.
WW5F Rating: 2019-08-26
Great keyer! Simple Interface! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've used this keyer for a couple years. Love it. No failures, no problems.

Taught a CW class. Was easy loading up the memories through the RS-232 port using a dumb-terminal program with random practice letters. Set for 13 WPM farnsworth at 5 WPM, press a memory button and sit back to see good and bad copying habits. Then, towards the end of the class, one-sided CW QSO's -- just like the FCC morse code tests. Pretty good success and having students pass 5 WPM by the end of 6 weeks.

Used it many times for contests. CQWWPX, Field Day, etc. Just figuring out and using the ergonomics of using this keyer loaded with contest exchange information and a logging program raised my score significantly.

Then, I realized what integrating the keyer to a logging program would do...

I'm surprised the popular logging programs *ONLY* have options for WinKeyer and NanoCW. They use a protocol way more complicated than just plain 'ole ASCII. I would think it would be easy to implement "plain 'ole ASCII" compared to implementing the WinKeyer protocol.

So I forked over the bucks for a WinKeyer and this fine keyer sits on the sideline until the popular logging programs implement a simple ASCII interface so this MFJ-495 can be integrated and be just as useful as a WinKeyer. 5 out of 5 for this keyer. 1 out of 5 for the popular logging programs only implementing the complex WinKeyer protocol.
W4NNF Rating: 2019-05-28
I love it. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is an update of my review of 2016--can it really have been that long?--I was happy enough with the keyer at the time, but didn't like the manual.

What has changed? I still think the manual could be better, but I've gotten friendly enough with it. Other than the problem mentioned in my initial review, the main problem is that this keyer just does so much and has so many features that the manual is naturally kind of dense and complicated.

Otherwise? I used the keyer off and on over the last three years, but didn't really begin using it heavily until the last 6 months. I was involved in a serious accident (involving an antenna--don't ask) and one of the injuries I suffered was a compound fracture of my right arm. Six months down the road, I'm better, but using a key of any kind is painful and difficult still. But I need my daily fix of CW. What to do? I remembered the 495, and began using it every day. I find I can use a keyboard without much trouble at all, whereas a straight key or a bug or even a paddle just hurts.

It really is a fine little machine. Very proletarian looking, but man does it do a lot. I will be honest, I love it now and recommend it VERY highly. I agree with some other reviewers that the LCD display could be better, but I don't have any trouble with it. It is perfectly legible for me sitting to the right of my computer on the operating desk. Yes, there are all those commands, but I made up a bunch of labels for the keyboard with legends for the message macros I've programmed into the keyer, and some with the key combos needed to program messages and perform my most used commands. That alone made a huge difference in my enjoyment of the 495.

The best praise I can give it? It works well and reliably and has allowed me to go back to CW!

Recommended.
N4UP Rating: 2016-07-03
Second Review Downgrade Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My first review was four years ago and detailed problems with the first one. I bought a second one ( for a second rig ) and MFJ replaced the first one, and it worked. Then I bought two more. Why? Because I LOVE this keyer but they have reliability problems. Soooo. Of the five MFJ-495 keyers I have had in four years --- one failed right out of the box, one developed a sticky F-key and subsequently has NO OUTPUT, and another just has NO OUTPUT. Yes, I know there is a menu item to turn the output ON or OFF. For the two non-usable keyers, the OUTPUT is set to ON, but there is NO output, meaning they are only useful for practice or demonstration. They WILL NOT work with any radio.

So, what to do now? Buy two more ( one for my mobile setup and one as a spare )!! And hope that they work. I use the two active MFJ keyers each with a Vibroplex Vibro-keyer AND with terminal program to load the ( four useful ) memories.

Okay then. WHEN they work, they work WELL. Only complaint besides reliability is that switching between memory sets is a hassle. Four memories are easy to access ( four buttons, four memories ). More than that, forget it, too clumsy. Easier-faster-better to use software for "messages" than trying to switch back and forth between the "extra" memories.
N4YX Rating: 2014-04-05
Top Notch Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've used one of these for many years. Installed the MFJ supplied back-lit LCD upgrade to top it off. I think the only feature it's lacking (that I like) is auto character spacing when using iambic paddles. Works beautifully with a Keyboard.
W8NLZ Rating: 2011-03-17
Love it ... after installing lighted display Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
As others have written, with the non illuminated display the unit is a bit of a turkey, had to prop it up at 30 degrees just to read the display. Called Jimmy at MFJ and ordered parts kit to install lighted display. Once modified, I simply love the keyer. I use it both with keyboard and paddle. I like the fact that it decodes and displays my manual keying so I can see what i actually sent! The MJF 495 has good internal software and about every programmable option you could want. Lots of macro storage. Very thorough manual.

The update modification itself is a bit tricky due to a 14 pin ribbon cable you have to desolder and remove (without lifting any pads), I got help from a seasoned technician. If I had to do it again, I would send unit back to MFJ and let them do it. But once done, I am extremely pleased with unit. And -contrary to expectations - I find it is well built. I expect it to last me for years.
K3DGR Rating: 2010-01-21
Great with lighted Display! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I received my MFJ495 keyer about 2 months ago and it worked FB keying my Orion 2 and later with my Omni 6+ with no problems. RF shielding ..FB!
Problem: YOU CAN'T SEE THE SCREEN!..
Sent it back to Jimmy at MFJ and he installed a lighted LCD screen which has black characters on a back-lit green screen now..it's FB!!..
I recommend having MFJ add the 2x16 line lighted screen p/n# 354-1604. It's all SMT and small components inside!. You can now monitor both the outgoing and your typing buffer FB!!..Be sure to read the manual, it's packed with features...
73's Dave, aa3ej
WA4ONV Rating: 2007-12-19
Keyer Froze Up...! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought this keyer from RL Electronics and had it for 2 days and it worked like a charm. Last night for some unknown reason in the middle of a QSO, it just froze up on me. I tried performing all of the resets and Factory resets to no avail. I contacted MFJ and after trying a few differant things, The Tech just advised me to pack it up and sent it back to RL Electronics for an exchange. RL just contacted me and advised that MFJ has a back order on this keyer of about 3 to 6 weeks. I just went ahead and told them to credit my credit card and I'll stick to my trustworthy MFJ-492X.
W5CPT Rating: 2007-04-11
Works well Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I replaced my MFJ-452 with the 495 when the former died mid-QSO. When I took it out the box and hooked it up, it keyed the rig immediately. The manual says it is set for direct keying by default. I figured I would check before I boxed it up to send it back. Sure enough it was set for Grid Block.

I will echo the "lousy LCD" comment by others. I like a previous poster have set mine up so I can see the LCD.

I only use 8 of the memories but I can see that changing soon.

Clint - W5CPT
K1NVY Rating: 2005-09-17
nice keyboard keyer... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I received my 495 through AES/Las Vegas shortly after ordering it. I connected a "BTC 6100C" mini-keyboard (PS/2 with DIN-5 adapter) to the rear panel connector, applied 12 volts and started banging out CW through the side tone generator. The MFJ-495 was then connected to the FT1000MP MK-V and off I went on 40 CW. After first QSO, I fired up the amp and worked another station but running 700 watts output. No RF issues with the keyer or keyboard (at least on 40 meters). Programming the message buffers is very easy, you only need to read only pages 11 and 12 to use the 495 as a keyboard keyer. If you do more than that such as contesting, then more reading and programing is necessary.

Message: CTRL+Function Key > type text > press "enter" and message is saved. To replay, press Function Key and message runs. First message was: Ctrl+F1 CQ CQ CQ de k1nvy CQ CQ CQ de k1nvy CQ CQ CQ de k1nvy k1nvy k 'enter'. Press F1 and "CQ CQ CQ de k1nvy CQ CQ CQ de k1nvy CQ CQ CQ de k1nvy k1nvy k" is sent. Messages are retained in memory when power is turned OFF.

The LCD display is indeed rather lame but at my station, the keyer is positioned at eye level and is easily read. Reading the two line text (out going text on top and buffered text on bottom) is OK. I can easily check the buffered text and correct typos on the bottom line as the top line is being transmitted. My old Hal CT2100 displays all text but that's on a full screen monitor.

Size is an issue at K1NVY (operating desk is just too crowded, small is IN) so the MFJ-495 was best choice for my immediate needs. I considered the K1EL keyer but with other projects in progress, I opted for a pre-built, ready to go keyer.

I recommend this unit to any CW op but you will have to consider it's mounting position for reading of the LCD display. Also, the "BTC" mini-keyboard ($19.99 at Fry's) is the size of a laptop PC keyboard and is ideal for this application. Get the PS/2 model and adapter for the DIN-5 MFJ connector.

I rated the MFJ-495 as 5.0 for MY particular operating style and needs...small size, easy to program, buffered text display, RFI free. Contesters will have to rate it according to their expectations for a contest keyer.

73's...Fred/K1NVY