Mt Washington Wx CAM
K1EL WKUSB Keyer
K1EL WKUSB Keyer
I had been using a W5XD Keyer for a number of years and started having problems with it locking up. I looked around and decided to buy and build the K1EL WKUSB Keyer Kit by Steve Elliot, K1EL. The kit cost $79 and was recommended by Wilco, PA3BWK and Pat, N0HR. I had worked with Pat on some of his PocketPC PDA software in the past. Steve only sells the WKUSB-HV Kit now. It has robust solid state relay outputs and can key almost any transceiver or transmitter, even transceivers with grid block keying. The kit includes enclosure, push buttons, PC board, and all parts including a USB cable. There is one surface mount part which is pre-soldered to the PCB. All you need to provide are keying cables from WKUSB to your transceiver. The keyer uses standard RCA jacks for the Key and PTT outputs. This keyer has worked flawlessly for me and I would recommend it to anyone.
I will tell you, at my age, my eyes are nowhere close to where they were when I was young. I had the retina detached in both of my eyes from an accident when I was 21 and I do not see small things very well. I got the kit out one Saturday afternoon, opened the blinds on all of the windows, turned on all of the lights in the room and added a spotlight on my work area, and got the magnifying glass out to put the kit together. It probably took me a lot longer than most people to put this kit together, but it went together easily and it worked first time. I was pleased with how it turned out.
K1EL WKUSB Keyer Specifications
- Uses new Winkey2 IC (V23)
- All external connectors on board for easy assembly
- 4 Message push buttons
- Painted and silk-screened enclosure with integrated standoffs
- Independent Outputs to drive two separate rigs
- RCA style Key and PTT outputs on back panel
- Key and PTT outputs are optically isolated
- Sidetone speaker on board
- Front Panel Speed Control
- Paddle connector on back
- USB interface (FTDI Controller based)
- USB driver and documentation provided on CDROM
- USB Cable (A to B) included
- Internal battery holder for three AAA batteries
- Micro power standby
- Dimensions: 4" W by 3" D by 1.75" H
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