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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
W2RST Rating: 2010-01-08
Sends *Flawless CW Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
One of the best keyers I've ever owned and used, and I do have a lot of them. If you use this keyer and your CW is *flawed, it's not the keyer's fault. Need I say more?

Yeah I know, not real cheap, but you get what you pay for. In my opinion with the K5 you definitely get what you pay for, and more..
N9WW Rating: 2009-12-25
Don't review it if you don't own it. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have one of the first K-5 keyers produced. Since day one, it has always worked great and I've never had a problem with lock-ups or lost memories. It also has very good battery life.

Jim N9WW
N5RP Rating: 2009-11-18
Wonderful Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I thought my CMOS-4 keyer was as good as it gets, but this box is fantastic. Quality in every respect, and I just love using it. Really kind of hard to quantify as to what makes me enjoy this keyer so much, as it might be "just one of those things" kind of like, well why do I like my Rolex watch so much? - I dunno!?
K7JBQ Rating: 2009-10-14
easy to set up, big improvement over internal keyer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've been using the internal keyer in the Yaesu FT-890 for some time, but it gets a little quirky due to RF in the shack (condo setup, stealth antennas a bit too close to the rig).

The K-5 seems unaffected...not extra characters etc. And the speed control is much easier to use than the internal keyer's.

Also, can now switch back and forth between paddles, bug and keyboard without having to switch the rig from keyer to straight key, which is much more convenient.

Setting up the memories is a snap.

All in all, great product.

73,
Bill
K7UA Rating: 2008-01-14
Nice piece of gear Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had a K5 for over a year. I wanted the memory functions and easy speed control without messing with menus on my rigs. This keyer fills the role nicely. I don't know what more anyone could want. I would definitely buy from Idiom Press again. In fact, I have. I now own this K5 and two CMOS4 keyers. I like the K5's larger size for fixed station use. The CMOS4 is almost identical, but smaller. Better for portable or if you just want to save a little cash. Thumbs up.
KC0YVW Rating: 2007-10-18
This is the keyer you'll want Time Owned: N.A.
Not to rehash the other reviews here but this is a VERY versatile keyer that is easy to learn and operate. Bob has obviously built this with the CW operator in mind and has thought of just about every function, operation and user controled commands that you would ever need, and then some.

In any event, as a newbie I'm confident and comfortable that this is the unit that will be attached to any rig that I'm operating, at home or afield.

Tom
KCØYVW
former_WA6L_JG Rating: 2007-10-08
Best Keyer I Have Ever Owned Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I recently vowed to myself that I would no longer give a '5' rating on eHam, unless it was a truly exceptional product. I think that as a group we tend to inflate these ratings.

So here I am, writing about the Logikey K-5, and I cannot do anything other than to give it a '5' -- I have owned many keyers over the years, and I have never found one that does as much, and does it as well, as the K5.

The feature set is incredible. I have been using this keyer for six months, and I am still finding surprising capabilities. And the keying itself is ALWAYS perfectly accurate and extremely smooth. I am not a great CW operator, but this keyer makes me sound a lot better than I am!

The K5's memory functions are unique, and once you have used them for a while you find that they are extremely flexible. You have the ability to call one memory from another, and to loop memories. For example, I have my call programmed into memory #6, and I include that memory number in my CQ, my contest reports, etc.

Another great feature is the ability to change spacing between code elements within a memory location. As an example, you could put a short gap (half a dit) between the letters of your call sign, or between characters in a contest exchange. This makes it easier to read without changing the code speed.

The list goes on. It handles contest serial numbers beautifully, and it is extremely easy to decrement (or increment) on the fly. You can program memories with a pause in them -- to insert a signal report for example - which then start up again when you are finished sending. I cannot think of a single function, whether you are a serious contester or an occasional rag-chewer, that you would find missing.

I also have to include a word about the manual. Yes, it covers all the necessary button-pushing and paddle-swinging. But it also has a clear, easy, and somewhat humorous tutorial. Sit down with the keyer and the tutorial and you will have mastered 80% of the keyer within an hour.

Finally, I will also mention that this keyer works extremely well with a portable station. I like to operate remote QRP, and the K5 makes it so much easier. I can program all my info in the memories before I leave the house, and I don't need a computer or a power supply to send great code. The keyer has an external 12V connector, but I just put the AAA batteries in it and they seem to last forever.
K0FTC Rating: 2007-08-04
Great keyer/service Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I agree with all the high remarks on this keyer, and I doubt if I could ever use all of its functions or utilities. I am using it today in the NA contest - wow - what fun. Smooth as silk, speed adjustment is quick, with a single large knob on the front. One thing that is important is the customer service that backs the product up. I had a minor self-inflicted malfunction with the manual, and when I wrote, I received an immediate friendly response, and they solved the problem at no expense to me. They didn't have to do that but did. I also have an Idiom Press SCAF-1 filter (I reviewed earlier under the call KC0VRI and still feel the same way now as I did then), and have owned it for a while now - and it also is a quality product. I bought this keyer based on my experience with that filter and will buy their products in the future based on my experience now with both the keyer and the filter. I think you can trust the quality that goes into this and their other products.
KE4KY Rating: 2007-07-06
GREAT PRODUCT!! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
HAVE USED THE K5 FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS NOW...ONCE IN A CONTEST. THE BEST KEYER I HAVE EVER USED.

THE MENU IS EASY ENOUGH TO FOLLOW FOR SETTING YOUR PREFERENCES.

EACH MEMORY SLOT IS EASY TO PROGRAM, AND CHANGE WHEN THE TIME COMES.

COMPARED TO THE MFJ....THE MFJ DOES NOT EVEN COME CLOSE!!
K6ANP Rating: 2007-05-26
5/5 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is the best keyer I've ever owned. No lock up smooth control and very intuitive to use. Well made excellent workmanship. I had a K3 and thought it was great...this is even better. Don't waste your time with other keyers this is truly the best of the lot!