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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
W0BBI Rating: 2009-12-06
Excellent Kit Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Purchased this kit to compliment HRD/DM780 program and it works great. It had been awhile since I put together a kit but we had no problems and in fact it was finished in less that four hours. If one reads the directions carefully and follows them you should have no problems. It has some really slick features available in the "standalone mode." The software that comes with the kit provides all the info you need so don't forget to check it out.
Excellent keyer at a great price.
W0BBI
N0XM Rating: 2009-11-29
Works well! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This keyer solved my N3FJP logging and costesting software-PC relationship issue. The computer would occasionally send sloppy CW when using contesting software. The USB Winkeyer is exactly "what the doctor" ordered, as it were. Precise CW now happens with the N3FJP contest software (also a "5" product).

Being away from kit building for decades, I made some assembly errors when building this kit. Steve (K1EL) worked with me and corrected my errors for a small fee.

I'm a very happy customer and strongly recommend their kit.

Mike
N0XM
W8CAR Rating: 2009-10-02
fun kit and exellent product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I ordered the WKUSB and received it in short order. The parts and board are first class. The kit went together as easy as any I've ever built and fired up in stand alone mode. After testing the USB connection with the drivers it communicated with N1MM and DX4WIN. Under N1MM in SO2R mode it keys both my rigs nicely and I had no configuration problems at all. It seems to have eliminated the dread "Windows Crawl" with keying. I need more time to test it in some contests but for the money it seems to exactly meet my needs. Did I mention it was fun to build?!
W4HH Rating: 2009-09-28
Great piece of eqpt Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My ONLY warning about the WKUSB keyer is this -- DO NOT order it on Monday planning to use it in a contest on the coming weekend. As of September 2009 shipping time was 7 - 10 days after the order is received. I ordered mine on 9 September and received it on 21 September.

I can't say enough good about this keyer:
-- Parts are packaged separately so there's no searching around for pieces.
-- Assembly instructions (you must download these, not included) are clear.
-- Setup is straightforward -- download the setup instructions (separate from the assembly instructions) -- but -- remember -- INSTALL THE DRIVER BEFORE YOU CONNECT IT TO YOUR COMPUTER.

The WKUSB keyer is supported by most all Windows-based logging and contest software. I use it with HamRadioDeluxe and N1MM contesting software. Setup and use were simple and quick. The keyer takes up very little desk space. If you use the knob to control speed as I do, you might want to make some marks on the front panel to indicate various speeds -- I have pencil ticks at approx 15, 20, 25, and 30 WPM.
WV4I Rating: 2009-09-27
solid piece of gear Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Follow the directions carefully, put it together, and it works great. If you've done much building, you know that following the directions will sometimes get you into trouble, but not here. For reference, I've mostly built weekend projects, antennas, interfaces, keyers, etc..

Only issue that had me head scratching with this one a bit was that, initially, a memory button push would yield "MT" in morse vs "R", standalone mode, battery pwr, while the "R" was what the instructions would have you expect. But rather than get off on a rabbit hunt here, simply continued, got the USB drivers and included software installed, and WKUSB keyer worked as advertised. Now a memory button push yields whatever you've programmed. Able to read/write fm/to memories/keyer, no problem, running Vista. Using HRD, recognized WKUSB unit, noting must know which COM port USB connection is using, and set within HRD, other programs. (instructions spell out how to find this in Device Manager).

Speed control. User selectable to either included speed pot/knob or software controlled.

I also have the K1EL CW keyboard/reader combo, works great also, but will review separately.
N5THN Rating: 2009-09-22
Does the job really well! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I'm new to CW and wanted to get something better than my rig's built in keyer. This is the only one I've found that has both a standalone keyer and a computer interface in one box. I had some real reservations about building a kit. It's been a LONG time since I've done any precise soldering. However, it went together easily due to a well designed lay out. The instructions were very good, except they could have mentioned the resistor color codes. In operation it works extremely well. I'm using it with Ham Radio Deluxe, which supports it seamlessly. At first I hooked up the PTT cable, but I've since removed it and use the break in function of my radio. The only real problem is now I can send several times faster than I can receive!
K8IA Rating: 2009-09-15
Excellent Product! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I own two Winkeyer USB keyers for my own station and have built and installed four others. Product goes together easily and havent had one glitch with any of them.

They all serve contest duty with N1MM Logger and work consistent and reliably.
K6TPJ Rating: 2009-08-24
Great Keyer, Easy Build Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought the HV version. Went together smoothly, no problems with the kit at all. Using it with Logic 8 software, - works great. Fist class PCB, well written instructions.

Question - Are 1/8 watt resistors a lot smaller now? Seems that 30 years ago I could read the color bands without a magnifier! :-)
W4UHF Rating: 2009-08-02
Outstanding Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I can only say positive things about this keyer. Went together easy and well designed. Excellent software comes with it. Quality of the PCB is first class and parts spacing is very good for easy assembly. Take your time building it and it works great the first time.
N9LJX Rating: 2009-06-28
Worked perfect first time/every time Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had previously built the serial port version of this keyer. Decided I really wanted to have the USB so I ordered this kit around Christmas 2008. Contrary to K1El recommendations I did not inventory right away. Finally got around to building it for Field Day. About 3 hours from opening the box to putting the screws in the enclosure. And I am FAR from an experienced kit builder. Work excellent in setup and testing. Worked flawlessly for FD. Couldn't even tell it was in-line, which was great!