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Reviews For: K1EL WK2/WKUSB Keyer

Category: Keyers & CW Keyboards

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Review Summary For : K1EL WK2/WKUSB Keyer
Reviews: 88MSRP: 64 (kit)
Description:
The WKUSB is a complete CW keyer kit, including a new K1EL Winkeyer2 IC and a USB computer interface.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.k1el.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
25884.9
N4MB Rating: 2013-11-19
EASY Build of a GREAT product! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I'm one of the slowest builders on Earth and I just built the WinKey USB SMT keyer in under a half hour.

With the new SMT product, hard to solder components come already built on to the beautifully masked circuit board and the assembly is easy... at the end you have one of these beautiful K1EL WinKey USB Keyers!

The metal enclosure with quality components is first class. I've used simple keyers, but the original K1EL WinKey keyer is supported by almost all keying/contesting/logging software and I'm pleased to now own one!
ZL1BBW Rating: 2013-04-19
Amazing Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I ordered the kit and held my breath for it to arrive via Intl mail, it was here in 7 or 8 days. Nicely packed and everything was there. The small R's are very small, almost impossible to read the colour code. Built it over 2 or 3 evenings when I had some spare time. Turned it on, in fear and trepidation and well blow me down it worked. Getting it hooked up to the com port was a bit of mission, the CD drive on the Radio PC, decided to not work so had to copy all the files across on a USB stick.

Very pleased and happily surprised, its a long time since I have build anything, now just got to get on the contest circuit.

Well done to the suppliers.
K9CQ Rating: 2013-04-13
Easy build and works great! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have used this kit for more than a couple of years now and it does everything that I need with an electronic keyer that is capable of being controlled by a computer program like DM780.
As far as the kit goes, this was probably the easiest kit that I have ever put together. Build time was under 2 hours and it worked like a charm right off the bat. I wouldn't be afraid to buy any product that K1EL offers after the experience with this kit.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by K9CQ on 2012-01-12

I have had the WKUSB for a couple of years now. I was looking for a keyer to connect directly to the USB and not have to use any adapters. It was probably the easiest kit I have ever put together. It has performed flawlessly since the day I put the last screw in the case. You can't go wrong with K1EL's kits IMO.
K3ROJ Rating: 2013-01-19
Perfect keyer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bingo, I found the ultimate keyer. Was easy to build and had it completed in 2 hours. I will be using it in Stand Alone mode however but eventually will use the computer to assist it. Have built a lot of Heathkits in my days and must say K1EL has it down to a science. Thank You
WB1DBY Rating: 2012-10-14
A great addition to any shack! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Small and simple to use and to remember how to use. I only cw contest once in a while and the Winkeyer USB interfaces easily with my computer via usb and to my Kenwood TS-590s easily too.

I use N1MM software during contests and Field Day and it works flawlessly. The software that comes with the keyer helps to configure it to your liking.

A speed control on the front helps during contests. The 4 buttons on top are great for when you are not using a computer to control the memories or use both.

My only complaint is that the battery pack needs to be external or a power switch for the batteries. (batteries not needed for USB, just for when not using a computer to control it.) Mine sometimes starts keying itself it the middle of the night, like a ghost. So I just removed the batteries.

But an excellent device!
WA2TGE Rating: 2012-09-20
Very nice kit! Easy build Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The kit arrived in a timely fashion and the components were packaged in a user friendly manner. The kit was a breeze to build and I was finished in a couple of hours. I am 70 es some of the component identification was difficult for me to read but that was not the fault of K1EL. The eyesight issues was resolved with the purchase of a magnifying headset. The kit worked correctly when finished. The testing software worked right out of the box. It is a great kit and I would recomment it heartily to anyone wanting a full featured keyer. I integrated into HRD and N1MM easily. Nothing but great things to say thus far. Will review again when I get more experience using it
M6GOM Rating: 2012-05-26
Easy to build Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Ordered mine on the 1st May and it arrived in the UK today 26th...

I've used one at my amateur radio club before so knew what they could do. Building it was a breeze and the instructions are easy to follow. You do want a fine tip soldering iron though.

Took my time building it and it was all done and dusted in an hour.

Just tried it in the CQ-WW-WPX CW contest with N1MM and its working great.
USER Rating: 2012-05-21
K1EL CW Keyer Kit Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
You have to see it to believe it 30 Minutes after the P/O delivered this Kit I was sending CQ on my Pixie 2-- I have been a HAM over 50 years and AM STILL AMAZED WITH STEVE's kits-- Best I have ever seen-- Thanks Dude --You have done your homework.So I don't have to
VE9AA Rating: 2012-03-17
Nearly plug and play ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Put together my recently rec'd K1EL keyer (WKusb) kit 2 days ago and got it
working yesterday (had some funky driver issues with a Windows 7 laptop, but
all OK now)

This kit was very nicely designed & executed. Nice fit and finish.
Went together like a breeze (thanks to clear instructions) in abt an hour
and a half (took my time). Probably spent as much time fiddling with my
laptop and stuffing everything in the box as I did soldering (but I enjoyed
the soldering, more, hi hi)

Just tested it with N1MM and my radio and said I'll put a review on eHam reviews, so here it is.

Have one quirky problem that the WPM rate increases once in a while by 10wpm or so when running N1MM, just 100w and no RF in the shack. In all likelyhood I am hitting a button or key and there's probably no issue with the actual product.

Can't wait to buy another kit from K1EL !

Thanks guys......

SQ5RIX Rating: 2012-02-27
Great home made project Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
All said here. 2 hours from bringing package home I had it connected and ready with CQRlog on Ubuntu
Perfect kit, great instructions, everything in place
Thank you K1EL !!
73, Tom