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Fall 2002 Issue |
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CQ VHF Reviews The
K1EL K10+ CW Keyer Kit |
The completed unit. |
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As a devoted fan of the CW mode, one of the most useful items in my DX armory is my memory keyer. This very useful tool makes general CW operating effortless and contests a joy, and without a doubt it has increased my QSO rates over the years. Recently, I was looking to replace my aging TTL-logic-driven keyer with a modern microprocessor-driven unit. After searching the internet looking for a suitable replacement, I was quite horrified to see the prices that some kit suppliers were asking for such items. Surely a simple printed circuit board (PCB) and programmed processor should not cost more than $50? I was pleasantly surprised when I came across an interesting site run by Steven Elliot, K1EL (http://www.k1el.com). Steven runs a small business that produces a range of kits based on photonic integrated circuit (PIC) technology. For those of you unfamiliar with the PIC processors, they are a range of quite powerful tiny microcomputers and are contained on small integrated circuits (ICs). Very few additional components are required for most projects, and the devices use very little power, making them perfect for battery operation. They are interesting devices, and there have been plenty of books and articles written on their use. A search of the internet for amateur radio applications for the PIC will lead you to some exciting ideas. One kit marketed by K1EL, the K10+ electronic keyer unit, caught my eye. The specifications listed show that the kit is packed with features, plus it is only $15. I arranged for one to be sent across from the US. What Do You Get For Your Money? The answer to the question is not a lot of components—that’s for sure! However, don’t let that fool you for a minute. That little 1.5-inch-square PCB is a powerhouse packed with technology that really flies!
Click here to subscribe to VHF and read more about the K1EL. _________________ © Copyright 2002, CQ Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or republished, including posting to a website, in part or in whole, by any means, without the express written permission of the publisher, CQ Communications, Inc. Hyperlinks to this page are permitted.
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