PicoKeyer-Plus (Assembled)

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The N0XAS PicoKeyer-Plus

NOW AVAILABLE (at last) assembled and tested, with the custom enclosure! Note: If this product shows "Out of stock" it just means it will be a couple of days before shipping -- I assemble these a few at a time, as needed.


Side view	Top view	In the plastic case
Click a picture for a larger view.

After the success of the original PicoKeyer kit, I wanted to offer a PicoKeyer with everything mounted on-board, and do it in a nice enclosure. I have had many requests for assembled and tested PicoKeyers, and am now making a limited number of them available as time permits me to do the assembly. Now you can order your PicoKeyer-Plus fully assembled, tested and mounted in the custom enclosure. All you need to do is insert the included battery, plug in your cables and operate!

This keyer has all of the features of the original PicoKeyer - and then some! The new Version 4 firmware adds a number of new features, including the ability to set the speed control upper and lower limits, auto-resume for pauses in stored messages, instant access to messages 2, 3 and 4 and more. It even comes with a battery, and the on board coin cell battery will last at least a couple of years of normal use!

The PicoKeyer Plus assembled keyer measures 2.4 x 2.2 x 1 in (61 x 56 x 25.4 mm) The setup/memory button and speed control are mounted on one end, and the RIG and KEY jacks are on the other. Just plug in your paddle, plug it into your rig's KEY jack and you're ready to go.

Code practice oscillator?? Yep! Since the PicoKeyer has a small speaker and works with single or dual lever paddles and straight keys, you can use yours as a code practice oscillator to learn Morse with a straight key - or to learn to use a paddle or "squeeze" keyer if you want! You can even use "bug mode" to simulate a semi-automatic key and master this mode as well. Of course the on-board speaker is pretty small, so don't expect to use it in a noisy environment without a little extra help or some headphones. You can always add an audio amp and larger speaker if you need to.

The PicoKeyer is an advanced, super low power iambic keyer with a long list of standard features. The newest FLASH memory technology allows me to offer free updates - if I offer future program enhancements or fixes, just return your chip with two bucks to cover return shipping and get your chip updated to the latest revision.

Here are the main features of the PicoKeyer:

NEW - header connector makes it easier to build into your own gear or a custom cabinet!
NEW - Includes voltage regulator components for optional external DC power!
Low voltage operation - from 2.5 to 5.25VDC
Ultra low current operation - typical sleep current well under 0.1µA, only 1-2mA when keying. A single lithium coin cell can last many months, or a couple of years depending on use.
Low parts count for quick, hassle-free assembly. Most builders with some experience report the average time to assemble is about 15 minutes. Figure under an hour even for beginners.
PCB-mounted, 1/8" (3.5mm) jacks for your key and rig
PCB-mounted speed control potentiometer
On board lithium coin cell battery (included) and battery holder
On board speaker for sidetone
Dual 2N7000 keying output MOSFETs for solid-state rigs and some tube gear, handles up to 60 V positive or negative.
Simple one-button "menu" setup
Setup and message entry using your paddle
Dot and dash memories for easy code with perfect timing and spacing
Works equally well with single-lever or dual-lever keys using iambic "squeeze" or non-iambic keying
Dual Speed feature - Speed is adjustable from 5 to 60WPM from the menu. You can use the speed control pot to adjust from 5 to 63 WPM, and instantly revert to the stored speed at any time!
Speed control range (min/max) can be set to your preference
Variable pitch audio sidetone can be turned OFF or ON
MCW mode uses the keying output as PTT to send audio Morse code over voice radios - now you can practice Morse on the air with your friends using 2M or 70cm FM.
Adjustable weight
Selectable iambic Mode A or Mode B as well as Ultimatic mode
Hands-free Tuneup mode lets you select a steady carrier or 50% duty cycle dits
Beacon mode allows repeating messages with user-specified delay up to 99 seconds
Straight key autodetect - plug in a straight key and cycle power, and the keyer will automatically use straight key mode with all memories available!
Message pause - insert a pause to manually send RST or other information in the middle of a saved message.
Four message memories hold up to 60 characters each, and can be chained together in any order to make up to a 240 character message. Message #1 can be set to auto-start when power is applied, great for propagation beacons.
QSO/serial number can be inserted in a message, auto-incremented and decremented. You can set or reset the QSO number from the setup menu. Counts up to 65536, which should be enough for the biggest contests.
Optional leading zeros can be sent for QSO numbers less than 3 digits.
Cut numbers can be selected for QSO numbers in stored messages. Zeros, nines, both or neither can be selected.
Transmitter QSK delay compensation - Lengthen elements by a preset number of milliseconds to correct for transmitters that tend to shorten dits and dahs in QSK mode.
Paddle switching - effortlessly select left or right handed operation without switching wires or turning the key upside down
NO BATTERY BACKUP REQUIRED to retain settings or memory!
Easy to integrate into new homebrew or kit rigs, or add it to your older equipment.
"Factory Reset" option to restore all default settings to your PicoKeyer