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Reviews For: Ham Supply/Idiom Press Logikey K-5

Category: Keyers & CW Keyboards

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Review Summary For : Ham Supply/Idiom Press Logikey K-5
Reviews: 39MSRP: 174.95
Description:
This new keyer improves on the world famous Logikey K-3 keyer. Unmatched feature list, with the best operator interface available. See web site for full and complete details.

Makes sending perfect CW smooth and effortless!

New additional features include: Greater protection against voltage spikes, lightning etc.; All stainless hardware; Internal volume control; Updated enclosure design; 3-AAA cells will run keyer for months, or accepts 9-12 volts DC.

Much superior to your rig's "Free" built-in keyer -- you deserve far better and here it is!
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.hamsupply.com/logikey-k-5-keyer/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00394.8
K5PE Rating: 2018-05-08
A Full-Featured Complete Keyer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This keyer has been available for years but I just got active again a few months ago and only recently came across it. And am I glad I did. I have used many keyers over the years. But this one is definitely the best and most complete. It even emulates several older keyers. And that lets me use it like the Accu-Keyer and Accu-Memory I built many years ago. Another feature is the hand key. This makes both the dit and dah side of the paddle work like a hand key. The result is an instant "Cootie" or Sideswiper" key using your regular keyer key. The only slight negative is the monitor volume control being inside the case. But that is no big deal since the monitor can easily be turned off if the rig sidetone is used. Bottom line, this is one fantastic keyer that is chock full of features.
K4CIA Rating: 2017-03-27
Superb new model Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have owned Logikeys since the K1 version. This is my third K5. Excellent performer with many versatile features. Great service from Wayne, N0UN. Highly recommended to anyone seeking a rock solid keyer.
NP4H Rating: 2016-07-19
Greayt Service / Great Product Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
As a CW lover, this keyer is the best money can buy. And not only that, Wayne (N0UN) of Ham Supply is very punctual and you get your order quick once placed. Order with confidence, you will not be disappointed.
AA4VV Rating: 2016-05-22
Great Service Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned a K-3 for 10 years or so, and it has always performed
flawlessly. Recently, I turned it on and it started sending a string
of dots. I checked all the cables and key but could find nothing
wrong. The next time I turned it on nothing happened. It was dead.

So I ordered a new K-5 which came promptly and has been working great.
When I mentioned to Wayne (N0UN) that my old K-3 was no longer
working, he asked me to send it to him as he could probably fix it.
In about a week I got an email saying that he had fixed my old K-3 and
was returning it. There was no charge!

That kind of service is hard to beat. The K-3 and the K-5 are
excellent keyers. I would recommend the K-5 because it does
everything I want a keyer to do. You simply cannot improve upon the
service Ham Supply provides.

K5UA Rating: 2016-03-23
One thing missing Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Would like to give this keyer a 5, but there is one highly desirable feature missing from this keyer and that is.....variable dash/dot ratio keying. For about 20 years now, variable dash/dot ratio keying has been standard on Yaesu, Kenwood, and Icom transceivers. Variable dash/dot ratio keying is not to be confused with CW "weight". Adding "weight" to keying adds extended length to both dots and dashes, as opposed to variable dash/dot ratio keying which only adds length to the dashes. This gives a very musical swing to the CW and makes it easier to send and copy. The dash/dot ratio of "perfect" CW is a 3:1 ratio, but this makes CW sound inhuman and dull. Extending the dash/dot ratio out to 3.4:1, or 3.6:1 adds musicality to CW and therefore makes it easier to send. This would be a wonderful addition to the next iteration of the Logikey line of keyers.

A more accurate rating would be a 4.9, but that is not possible with the present rating system. The micro ham external keyer has this variable dash/dot ratio feature, but it is not a stand-alone keyer like the Logikey keyers.

Com'on LogiKey, how about a K-6 with variable dash/dot ratio keying.
V73NS Rating: 2016-01-13
Available again Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Glad to see these are available again from Ham Supply (formerly Idion Press).
http://www.hamsupply.com/logikey-k-5-keyer/

I was looking to buy a second one and saw there was a period of time they were not available. Glad they are back so I can get a second one for vacation home.

Best keyer out there! Simple to operate, operates off DC or battery, speed pot on the front, well built. Great having six memories. I use 1-3 for simplex and if I split I have 4-6 already programmed.

Also great for contests.

I have my first one modified with a remote connector on the back for an external switch bank I can put in front of me.

Ordering the second one soon.
Best keyer I'd owned and I am 100% CW.
G3VCN Rating: 2015-12-23
excellent Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have used Samson keyers since the 1970s which are no longer manufactured. The software in the k5 is identical.
It has every facility required for a cw op.
I am sure that the new business will look at previous reviews and consider any cosmetic changes.
This keyer has made me a happy bunny for Christmas.
I would highly recommend it.
73
paul G3VCN
NN6R Rating: 2015-12-22
Fits my desk nicely. Love having the buttons on top. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I found that the info as to being out of production not to be true. Purchased by Ham Supply last month, they have cleaned up backorders and shipping product. I ordered on a Friday noon and received my keyer in Mondays mail.
I needed to clear up an ordering issue and got a response to my e-mail within an hour. Great Service.

Wayne NN6R
ZL4AX Rating: 2013-08-25
Bizarro Superman's Keyer! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Imagine a Stradivarius violin made out of old bean cans and bashed into a jagged shape. That's the kind of mess that Logikey have made of manufacturing the world's best keyer! If you've read 'Superman' comics since the 1960's like I have, you'll recognise this description as something from the 'Bizarro' world where eveything is faulty, negligent and broken.
I bought this to key my second rig alongside my Samson ETMCOG9-X3, which is the same unit by another manufacturer, now obsolete. But although the functions of the Logikey should be identical, the quality and care in manufacture is inferior in every way. Let's list a few flaws:
1). The case is double the size of the Samson but contains less. 2).The metal case is badly bent and mis-aligned. 3).There's no 'off' switch. 4). The K5 uses AAA batteries instead of AA size, only 30% of the capacity. 5).The labels for the top panel buttons are ON THE BOTTOM of the case (huh? was the guy on acid?) 6). The main speed knob is badly positioned at the bottom so your fingers can't turn it without striking the table top. 7). The feet are too flat and needed replacing to lift the unit. 8). The monitor speaker is on the BOTTOM so it is muffled and audio is distorted by reflections from the table top. 9).The battery holder inside is jammed between the main chip and the case and not screwed down, almost snapping the chip.
It's still the best keyer money can buy. But who drew a moustache on the Mona Lisa?
K3ROJ Rating: 2013-04-13
I will have 2 soon Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My original K5 is still working well but we needed another for my portable needs. In the meantime, I found a sticky overlay on E-Bay that someone makes. It is very handy and sits right over the buttons and easy to refer to. I use the BY keyer since it has a good feel with the K5 even though we will use a Begali Gracieli key for high speed contesting with my new key.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by K3ROJ on 2007-12-02

I now have two Logikey units, a older K-3 and now the K-5. The K-3 remains at my regular operating position since it outperforms the built-in key in my 756PRO. I bought the K-5 mostly to take with me on vacation in upper Ontario each year when flown into a lake for a week of fishing with the XYL and pooch (Sudbury Aviation). The K-5 with it's internal battery pack is ideal for use with my Elecraft KX-1 QRP transceiver in the field. I sometimes sit in my den just practicing with my Bencher Iambic key to increase my sending speed. Am now planning on getting the Logikey kit for $58 to be used as a 10 meter beacon with an old converted CB radio.