Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Kantronics Mini-Reader

Category: Decoders, multi-mode

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Kantronics Mini-Reader
Reviews: 4MSRP:
Description:
Small, portable ASCII/CW/RTTY decoder with 24 hour clock
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0044.8
WB4IVG Rating: 2018-09-26
Great Item Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had a Kantronics Mini-Terminal many years ago when they first came out. I also had the KPC1, 2 & 3 as well as the 24000, 9600 and KAM these were all fantastic performers in their own right. I also had a "The Interface" as luck would have it mine got Zinged with a regulator going bad on my old Astron Power Supply so when I tore it down I noticed that it contained half of the circuitry of the Mini-Terminal, but the Mini-Terminal was missing a connector so I dropped one in and instantly had 2 interfaces one now with its own readout. I loved those units and used them for many years. Finding myself missing my little Mini-Terminal which was lost in the fire when my home burned I started a search for one, after a year or so I remembered the Mini-Reader and started trying to find one of these having not being able to find the Mini-Terminal I had one of these Mini-Readers right away and boy was it fun to use just like I remember the Mini-Terminal being! In fact, I think it is better! It has a bigger and brighter display also it seems to decode much easier both on RTTY and CW. I didn't think I would like the orientation of the layout of the unit compared to the Mini-Terminal but boy was I wrong. This little unit works great with the Eton portable, the SDR, or My IC 7300 and other radios. I have enjoyed every second of use of this unit it works SIMPLE and Great! 73 WB4IVG Laurin
WN9DDV Rating: 2014-09-06
good product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just purchased on of these on the internet. It works very well. I am pleased with it.
W2NSF Rating: 2005-07-10
It actually works! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I needed a crutch while I bring my Morse Code skills back on line after 40+ years. I tried the MFJ unit - nope!

After reading the reviews on the Kantronics units, I searched ebay and waited until I saw one and bought it. It actually works! My confidence is building as I can now glance over at the unit when I get stuck.

The directions aren't too clear on how to "tune" it, but I found you've gotta tune your incoming CW signal so the audio tone is around 700 Hz, give or take a hundred. The red LED will glow more brightly when you hit the proper audio tone and then like magic, the characters begin streaming across the screen. The big, fluorescent blue-green display is really easy for these old eyes to read, too. That's a bonus!

You can even use it to check on the quality of your outgoing CW and see how your "fist" sounds.

I'll add my condolences - too bad they don't make these any more.
K7VO Rating: 2005-03-20
A small decoder that actually works well Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The Kantronics Mini-Reader is a small CW/RTTY decoder. Unlike the tiny little offering from MFJ that looks cute but has a hard time decoding anything the Kantronics portable actually works, sucessfully reading the vast majority of CW signals on the air.

The blue flourescent display is large enough to be read at some distance. This is ideal when you have someone who doesn't copy CW around to show them what it's all about. It's also not a bad idea for people trying to improve rusty CW skills.

It's really a pity Kantronics doesn't make these any more. No computer is needed, it's simple, and it works.