a new kid in town – microHAM MicroKeyer 2
Inspired by a song of my favorite band “The Eagles” I can welcome a new kid in my small amateur radio town. No – it is not a new girl as it is sung at the Eagles – it’s a microHAM microKEYER 2. Reason for the new investment was that I thought about to upgrade to the new Elecraft sound card option “KIO3B”. I was searching for the technical data’s of that Elecraft sound card option but there was now way to get detailed information. I was in contact with the German dealer but also he did get not any technical information. Reading the Elecraft news letter or news groups the only thing I was reading about has been driver problems. So thinking hard what to do 🙄 – buy a new Elecraft option not knowing if it will work for a 470€ price and having left a unused old Elecraft option that nobody will need/buy ? So a BIG NO at all and “the new kid in town is the microHAM Microkeyer 2” As I also have some experience with that MK2 from my EME DXexpedition to HBØ back in 2007 where we was using this keyer I can confirm that the build in sound card is very low noise and ideal for EME and meteorscatter operation. I did modify the original factory cable to support my sequencer with the TX INHIBIT and a PTT OUT. If you need a sequencer working well just ask Olli – DH8BQA he might be able to help you..
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 , FSK, 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.
The features of the microKEYER-II in detail: [source wimo.de]
- Audio
- Integrated USB soundcard with high dynamic range and excellent SNR for better decoding
- Two audio channels for Main/Sub receiver
- Newly designed microphone matching allows the use of nearly any microphone
- two microphone connections supported at the same time (e.g. hand mike and headset)
- Simplyfied ccontrol and selection of audio sources
- Continously adjustable microphone gain, separated for two microphones
- Automatic selection of microphone
- Output power of the soundcard sufficient to drive a headset, for Echolink, VoIP, Skype etc.
- 2 Watt amplifier for connection of a monitor speaker
- Separate volume control of the monitor for CW sidetone, DVK and AFSK
- Display on the front shows status (recording, playback) of the soundcard
- Automatic microphone muting when using ditial modes
- Keying
- Sequencer control for LNA/PTT to switch a separate pre amplifier or receiving antenna
- VOX support for PA keying
- Direct support for QSK operation with PA
- Digital VOX: automatic PTT keying when audio is sent over the soundcard
- TX inhibit for hotswitch protection ad transmitting under critical conditions (transmit path not ready)
- Faster (3ms) keying relay
- Telegraphy
- K1EL Winkey Chip for precise timing of keying
- Integrated, high level paddle debouncer/interface
- Visual indication of keyer speed
- Optional ‘paddle only’ sidetone
- Display of transmitted CW characters
- Integrated contest serial number
- Supports PS72 keyboard or numeric keypad for memory recall
- FSK & Digital
- Low nois/high gain audio chain with independently controlled line amplifiers for unbeatable weak signal decoding
- Automatic sound card line input select for digital modes
- Transmitted data display (FSK RTTY only)
- Other functions
- Customizable, two line LC display with adjustable backlight
- Separate power jack with power monitoring
- Separate On/Off switch
- CI-V output with simulated Icom ‘transceive data’ when connected to a supported radio allows use of IC-PW1 with non-Icom transceivers
- Proprietary serial port (ILink) simulates antenna/tuner control protocols (support for SteppIR, Ultrabeam, antenna tuner)
- FH-1/FH-2 or equivalent keypad for memory control
- Uses the same DB37 cable sets as microKEYER
Links for the microHAM device
