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Reviews For: MicroHam Micro Keyer

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

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Review Summary For : MicroHam Micro Keyer
Reviews: 50MSRP: 225
Description:
All in one multi mode USB interface and keyer (now includes one radio interface cable) CW/SSB & All Digital Modes
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.microham-usa.com/Products/mk.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00505
G3LWI Rating: 2005-07-25
Using with the Omni Six Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Had the microkeyer since last December and am very very pleasedd with it. So far I have used it with the Yaesu FT1000D. Would now like to try it out with the Ten Tec OMNI SIX (Not the Omni Six PLUS) Looking at the pictures of the MicroHam Harness, I think that I need the Harness for the OMNI FIVE which has a "D" connector on it. The one listed for the Omni Six must be for the Omni Six Plus as it has a Radio Serial Mono 3.5mm connector. My Omni Six has a "D" female connector for interfacing. Am I correct in thinking that I need the harness for the Omni Five
Grateful for any assistance

John G3LWI
DF5EY Rating: 2005-07-05
My favourite add on Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I realy love this toy.
Good and flexible hardware give me all the oportunities to work every mode i need.
Specialy like the build in keyer. conected to a numeric keypad it makes cw much more easier.
Also th eone button switch over between my favourite programms (logger32, mixw, mtty) is very easy.
With the 2.0 software update the microkeyer is easy to handle and can be interfaced to all my rig / software. Support is exellent. I can only recommend this add on.
NA5Q Rating: 2005-06-28
Getting Better Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just received and install this interface for my Pentium 4 XP Pro to IC-756PROIII radio. The latest release of software v2.001 for the router is simply the best I have seen. All connections were done easily and the manual is well written (must download pdf file). I was able to setup using the new template feature a setup for Writelog and MixW2 without difficulty. Without the template, I also setup Logic 7 and Digipan to use with this router. Next, I will install a P/S keyboard to the router. I am now able to operate all modes with this one interface. All reports are good.

Previously, I have used the Lil' Rascal interface without problems, but it requires a serial port and my desktop is running out. Also, my next computer will be a laptop and most laptops today do not have a serial port.

I highly recommend this interface. It is expensive, but worth it to me. Delivery took 2 weeks from Bulgaria. If I have any problems with the interface I will definitely publish here. I find it hard to understand how no USA individual didn't invent one of these.
KL5X Rating: 2005-05-09
Excellent Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Excellent in every way.
I had a couple of problems which were solved right a way by email support.
Setup is easy but a little tricky if you want all of it. For instance I couldnt use my Mike for recording messages on the computer. Support worked it out because some computers are putting there voltage for the electret Mike on the Tip of the Plug and not on the ring.
It works great with all Programms I use. MixW, RCKlog and RCKRTTY.
Very recommandable.
Tom HB9DOD KL5X
W3PH Rating: 2005-05-03
Terrific! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got mine with a cable set for the ProIII - very high quality (esp. the cables, which are very rugged).

The included Winkey is great - I'm picky about keyers, and this is a good one (has automatic character space, which I like, among other things). You can control the keyer from the computer, or plug in a PS2 keyboard, and of course paddles.

The "USB/Serial router" capability is great, and works well. I found the interface quite intuitive, and had the box working within minutes on CW. Tried it with HRD/PSK31 Deluxe and made my first (gotta do *something* new once in a while) PSK31 QSOs.

Very nice, and very cost-effective considering all the other devices you don't need once you have it.
KB2EOQ Rating: 2005-05-01
I'm Happy! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My Microkeyer and cables to control my TS440 arrived about 48 hours ago. It arrived from Slovakia very well packaged and very nicely built. The cables are of very good quality. Customer service has been very good since I first contacted them and it arrived via US Mail(registered) within about 8 days of purschase.

The brief version of this review is that it does all that I wanted it to do and it interfaces very nicely with my rig. I did a quick PSK31 QSO with it and received a -27 IMD, much better than the low IMD I had previously been getting...so the isolation of the PC from rig appears to be as good as advertised

If you are dumb , like me, the virtual serial ports that the Microkeyer device router creates can appear a little intimidating. I say "appear" , but in reality it is quite easy after you understand what is going on. I followed the instructions in the manual and also used the help files in Logger32 for setting up 5 virtual serial ports. This worked extremely easily and within a couple of minutes I was using Logger 32, controling my rig, operating RTTY, and able to send CW all from one USB port connected to my Kenwood TS440. I set up MixW and Ham radio Deluxe easiliy too. I had a problem setting up Microkeyer to work CW under N1MM Logger but that was because I was using an out-of-date version of N1MM logger.

The CW keying part of Microkeyer is what I was mainly interested in. I don't have the skills to build my own Winkey kit, and needed a better interface for PSK31 operations, so the Microkeyer seemed like a good option. Keying is very nice, and setting up message buffers/macros is very easy. It supports both mode A and Mode B iambic keying and can easily be switched. MUCH easier than my old keyer which required me to open it up and switch jumpers for mode switches. It also supports a few other "bug" modes.
The side tone frequency is easily adjusted, the side tone volume seems low to me and it can be hard to hear yourself keying if you do full break-in and the bands are noisey. There might be a way to increase the sidekey volume but I have not found a way ...yet.

The Microkeyer allows you to store "preset" settings for various applications (e.g. Writelog, Logger32, N1MM , Mixw, Ham Radio Deluxe). This appears to be an important function because I lost the settings a couple of times while fiddling around.

Its less han 48 hours since I unpacked the device, so a lot more to discover but I am very happy. I even have spare serial ports now!
PA5EA Rating: 2005-05-01
Seems to be All-in-One box we all have waited for ... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The actual score should read:
Hardware: 5
Software: 4
Service: 6

This box is very well designed and build. I downloaded the latest router software (1.13.1.245), but it appears to have a small bug: the com port assignment to WinKey is not remembered by the router software. This was confirmed by Jozef within 30 mins (!). New router software (v2.0) is on its way, but still in final stage of testing.

Despite my very limited time I quickly got the rig control and Winkey to work with N1MM. The build-in Winkey is great and has a better "touch" than my IdiomPress CMOS keyer III. Rig control via the USB1.1 port working as smooth as before via the direct COM1 port. And ...., no more RFI issues due to full isolation between rig and PC. What a relief.

Next weekend I hope to get my first digital mode experience with this nice little box !!
Finally. clear up the station position and get rid of all the previous cables and gadgetery. This thing does it all.

Enno, 9V1CW - PF5X
PA0ERC Rating: 2005-04-27
VERY GOOD!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Quick and secure transaction, real quality product, works as advertised, very fast and good support. No problems with the driver software on my XP Pro PC in the shack.






8P6SH Rating: 2005-04-15
Outstanding Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I purchased the Microkeyer to interface a rig to a laptop computer for FSK rtty.

What a surprise I had when I received the unit. It is very ruggedly built and feels solid. The cable connecting the unit to the rig is a masterpiece and connects to several I/O points at the rear of the rig.

While initially I wanted it for RTTY, it has also been used as a voice keyer, and I've used the Winkey keyer that's built in.

In speaking to OM7ZZ, he's assured me there will be a SO2R outboard unit that will allow the unit to perform similar functions for 2 radios.

He also sent screenshots of an easier interface that's more user-friendly.

I'll also likely use the amplifier output from the keyer to control my amplifier while saving the rig's amplifier relay.

This is incredible value for money and very robust as I use it on USB 1.1 ports.
N4BAA Rating: 2005-03-26
FINEST YET Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Having owned my Micro Keyer now for 4 months, and having taken it to Guantanamo Bay Cuba for 6 days as KG4SB....

I am fully appreciative of what this small piece of equipment offers "todays" amateur radio operators!

I cannot imagine NOT having this item in my shack! In fact, I have already sold everything it has replaced!

Interface is straight forward, and as long as you don't try to configure the virtual ports while having a beer or entertain kids....(LOL..HI HI) you will be fine and VERY impressed at the flexibility it offers.

FULLY compatible with every logging program I have tried and just a PURE PLEASURE TO USE!! AB-So-LUTE-LY LOVE IT!!!

Company is FIRST rate and is VERY QUICK to answer any questions you may have! GREAT JOB JOZEF!!! You have ensured your place in operating history!!!

Thanks!!!

Jose Castillo - N4BAA, KG4SB, YI9BAA, VP5BAX