HamGadgets News » PicoKeyer-RM

The PicoKeyer-RM is getting a major facelift

Dale — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 03:18:48 +0000

Several years after the last firmware changes to the PicoKeyer-RM, that product is getting a pretty major update.

The new chip will not require the installation of the 1/8 Watt pull-up resistor, as the current one does. I’ve also changed the embedded message commands to be the same as for the PicoKeyer-Plus, and have simplified the keying mode selection. There is a new command mode available that will let you go directly to the setting you want to change, rather than holding the button while you wait for it to come up. Paused messages will automatically resume after you stop sending fro the paddle.

A big change, though, is the ability to add an analog speed control pot to your Rock-Mite! This is entirely optional — you can leave it off and set the speed as you always have. Or, with a 50K Ohm pot and two fixed resistors, you can have continuously variable speed from 5 to 45 WPM.

There is still testing to be done, so these won’t be shipping for a few more days yet… but watch this space and the PK-RM product page for more announcements.

January 2012 HamGadgets News

Dale — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:34:32 +0000

Happy New Year! I hope 2011 was a good year for all of you, and I hope that 2012 will be even better. I want to thank every one of you for helping to make the past few years very interesting and enjoyable.

Looking back on 2011, it was a pretty good year for HamGadgets. The UKA-2 kit was retired and replaced by the UKA-3, which people seem to like. I was able to start offering custom cases for the PicoKeyer-Plus and UKA-2, thanks to the addition of a CNC machine to the workshop. There were a couple of firmware updates to the MK-1 and ID-O-Matic II, which continues to be a very popular kit. If there was a low point to the year, it would have to have been Dayton — but we’ll just leave that alone for now.

2012 will see some changes as well. I’m working on a couple of new projects that you will see announced as they get closer to being ready to offer as kits or assembled products. There will also be updates to some existing kits. The PK-RM chip is about to get a major overhaul, its first in several years, to being it up to date and more in line with the PicoKeyer-Plus’ features. I’ve been working on a new repeater controller for a while now, and I’m hoping to be able to offer that later in the year. It is my intent to offer a ready-to-go cabinet for every new kit added to the lineup — most people seem to like having that option.

And speaking of assembled products… I know that some folks really enjoy kit building, while others would prefer not to have to heat up the soldering iron. I simply do not have the time to assemble kits, except in very rare cases. But there is hope for those of you who don’t like soldering or no longer are able to. I do have a very small number of PK-Plus kits assembled and in the cases, and will list those on the web site in a few days. For ID-O-Matic II kits, there are two sources from whom you can buy completely assembled and tested boards. One is Radio Dan (www.radiodan.com); the other is W5TXR Labs (www.w5txrlabs.com).

We’ll be out of town for a week or so beginning the 14th of January. As usual you can place your orders at any time, and we’ll get them shipped as soon as possible when we return from our trip.

Again, I’d like to thank all of the people who helped to make 2011 a good year, and I hope I can continue to provide the kits and products you like for years to come. And remember — if you like your kit or your MK-1, please take a few minutes to let others know. If you don’t think it deserves a 5/5 rating, then please tell me and let me see if we can fix that. If you do think it’s better than sliced bread and Mom’s apple pie, a positive product review on the EHAM web site (www.eham.net/reviews) will reach a lot of hams — and it really helps me out as well, of course.

Thanks again and have a GREAT 2012!

73 de Dale, N0XAS

So what’s next?

Dale — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:12:16 +0000

There’s always room for one more feature, one more bug fix. I’m already working on the next MK-1 firmware release. So far it includes a couple of minor bug fixes, and a few new features. No release date yet, of course. New features will include some USB keyboard enhancements and the ability to use the keyboard in setup mode. I’m also exploring the possibility of making the MK-1 work together with the Elecraft K3′s CW-to-data capabilities to enable computer-free RTTY and PSK31 modes from the keyboard. I don’t know how well (or even if) that can be made to work, but it should be interesting to try.

I’ve discovered and isolated a bug in the PK-RM chip. This bug was reported by Milan, OK1IF. In straight key mode, the frequency offset doesn’t work. I have a fix for this, and will be shipping all new PK-RM chips with the new firmware. If you have one that has this problem (any PK-RM purchased prior to 12/12/09), I will re-program it at no cost other than postage. If you have a PIC programmer contact me for a new HEX file.

There are a couple of new projects in the works also, no announcements yet but hopefully I’ll have some news during the first quarter of 2010.