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Reviews For: Microham Micro Keyer II

Category: Interfaces, Radio to computer, amp, rotor, coax switch, internet

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Review Summary For : Microham Micro Keyer II
Reviews: 38MSRP: 430
Description:
microKEYER II™ is the most powerful All-In-One single radio multi-mode USB interface and sound card for CW, SSB, AM, FM, and digital modes (RTTY, PSK31, SSTV, APRS, PACKET, and many others) available anywhere.

Using a single USB port, microKEYER II can interface with any Windows-based logging or control program to run any FSK, CW , AFSK, SSB, AM, or FM mode.

microKEYER II also includes a rig control interface (CAT/CI- V) with interfaces for all supported radios, a powerful CW memory keyer, and a buffer for keying a Power Amplifier and LNA switcher.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://microham-usa.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00384.8
N3ND Rating: 2008-10-07
Exceptional Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have owned my microKEYER II for about ten months and also use a three year old microKEYER (I). The build quality of these units is exceptional and the support is no less than spectacular. Never any problems other than those operator induced. Highly recommended, and while I’ve not personally used any other computer interfaces except homebrew, IMHO you can’t go wrong.
KO5D Rating: 2008-09-06
Great device Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I bought similar interface from another company, it didn't work, they blamed my PC, had hard time to communicate.
Microham has outstanding Customer Service in US,getting help (if needed) very fast and they drive it until problem resoved. Had issue with RF hum in Micro Keyer II, and Microham investigated it with simple solution - have capacitor installed on USB connector sheld.
Nice LCD monitor, great DVR feature, now work great with MicroHam Station Master.
K6CTA Rating: 2008-01-01
Great Product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a very well designed product. I had some questions, and got rapid replies to my emails...even on Dec. 31! It does take a little bit of time to set up all of the parameters, but once you get everything configured it is seemless. Be sure to go through the entire manual (I missed a setting for FSK the first time). It is certainly easier to just use one USB cable to the computer and to let the MicroHam do all of the work. Great looking box, too.
W1CDX Rating: 2007-12-24
fb plug&play interface Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
It's not as hard as some user's say it is. I personally do think it is Plug & Play. Of course you have to set up the interface by defining a few COM ports ... 1 for your Radio, 1 for your FSK, 1 for your PTT/CW (software wise) and finally 1 for your WinKey2. After that... a little fine tuning of the built in Audio Card and you have just setup your Interface for ALL Applications.

Now everytime your specific User Software (lets say HRD) ask's you witch port to use for Radio... tell it the port Nr that you defined for the Radio and so on. There is no guessing witch port is to be used. You use the Port that You defined.

This Interface has it ALL. On the fly Recording for contest... built in
Footswitch support... built in
using 2 Microphones???... built in
Macro support for CW ... FSK ... and Voice built in

There is nothing this Interface can't do... even Rotor control is possible, if you define a port for it.

I would definitly Buy this again and recommend this to my friends. And the Support seems awesome, if you read the Forums.
G0TMX Rating: 2007-11-30
Wish I'd got one ages ago.. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have been meaning to write a brief review on this item for some time. I wont take up extra space by echoing other peoples comments about how good this little box is (..it really is!) but I wanted to compliment the support from Jozef OM7ZZ and Joe W4TV in helping me get started. This is not the sort of unit you can plug and play with immediately - dont expect to be up and running within 10 minutes before CQ WW!
This is a great addition to any shack, and there is a wealth of software to run with it - all well supported. Very pleased.
K0HB Rating: 2007-11-15
A very well executed design Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
K0CKB and I "multi-op'd" during the recent ARRL SweepStakes CW weekend. During the course of the weekend she commented that "we've sure got a lot of extra little boxes and cables around this shack". To me that sounded like permission to investigate the new "microKEYER II".

Because this box integrates so seamlessly into a variety of logging programs (I use WriteLog for contesting, Logger32 for general purpose logging, and DigiPan for occassional digital work) it was a no brainer. It replaced 5 separate standalone boxes, freed me from 3 RS-232 serial ports and a rats nest of perhaps 20 or more interconnecting cables.

K0CKB absolutely loves the new "neat" operating position!

Because of the many embedded functions (CW keyer, DVK keyer, soundcard, rig control, auxiliary control center) this is definitely a "read the funny manual" device, but installation is not at all difficult if you RTFM. MicroHAM's website is chock full of documentation and aids to installation, plus a large selection of "white papers" to aid in integrating the functions into your logging software environment(s). Physical installation is HUGELY simplified by the availability of pre-constructed wiring harnesses designed specifically for your radio.

After sale support is exceptionally good, with a well organized web site, and also on-line support via a "yahoogroup" with almost instant knowledgeable responses from microHAM representatives as well as other users.

This is simply an excellent product which does what it says it will do in a no-fuss manner. All of the functions are smooth and glitch free.

Keep it up, microHAM, and your name will be in the company of Collins and similar top-shelf suppliers of well designed and well supported amateur hardware.
DK5EW Rating: 2007-10-30
Bets interface on market Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I'm also a proud owner of this brand new product of MicroHam.

SetUp Router was easy and after 20min been on air.

Special remarks on build in low noise soundcard:

Much better than all others standard soundcards and build in soundcards.
I use this interface with great results on 2m EME. LowNoise soundcard helps much to decode very weak signals -28dB to -32dB signal levels.
LA0HT Rating: 2007-09-18
another happy Microham user Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I also just received my unit today...

30 min to setup and am on the air..

I did a lot of reading here on various products (I also have a Tigertronics Signalink USB, but the Microham product is in a class of its own..

I am using Ham Radio deluxe, and they work smoothly together (so far) :)

Well done Jozef....