NOTICE: The ID-O-Matic is being replaced by the new ID-O-Matic II. Once these kits are gone, they're gone!

As featured in the 2008 ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications!

Degree of Challenge
					Novice

Pictures are of an assembled example of the latest kit version.

The ID-O-Matic is a multipurpose, PIC microcontroller based project that nearly everyone can use. In its most basic form, it's a simple 10-minute timer with audio and visual outputs to remind you when it's time to ID.

But wait, as they say -- there's more! How about a variable delay timer that announces your call sign or any other message, in Morse code at a speed you choose? How about CW keying and PTT outputs so you can attach it to a "fox" transmitter, or an emergency crossband repeater? And how about inputs for squelch or COR to make a repeater IDer that works the way you want it? And how about a serial interface to connect to your shack computer, laptop or terminal? It's all there. Sorry, no Ginsu knives or fruit peeler included.

The ID-O-Matic can meet a pretty wide range of needs. Out of the box, so to speak, it will light up a green LED until nine minutes have passed. The LED then turns yellow, and at 9 minutes 30 seconds starts blinking yellow/red. At ten minutes the ID-O-Matic beeps at you until you reset it with the pushbutton, then starts over.

But of course I'd never charge $20 for a simple 10-minute timer! Using the built-in RS232 serial interface, connect the ID-O-Matic to a terminal or a PC with a terminal emulation program (Procomm, Hyperterminal, etc) and you can use the simple menu to set your own delay from 1 to 65535 seconds (over 9 hours). You can control when (and if) the LED turns yellow and when it starts blinking. You can also choose between the default beep, or just type in your call sign or any other mesage up to 64 characters long to hear it in Morse code. When in CW ID mode, ID-O-Matic will send the message, then automatically reset and start timing again.

You can also select repeater mode. In repeater mode two additional inputs can be used to control when ID-O-Matic sends your selected Morse code ID. You can use a squelch, COR, PTT or other signals of your choosing. You can optionally have the ID-O-Matic send a courtesy beep at the end of each transmission (with user-selected delay), and you can specify a PTT "hang time" to keep PTT active for a few seconds after the input stops. If you want the repeater to ID every so often when it's idle, there is a beacon timer and a separate message for that too. You can, for example, have the repeater ID with its call sign while being used, and a longer message every hour or two when it's idle. There's a PTT watchdog timer to keep your repeater from being "hung" by stuck mic buttons (or long-winded users). And, you can use the ALT MSG input to send a different ID message if, for example, your site switches to backup power or whatever.

Morse keyboard mode is no longer supported after V2.5. If you need it, you can request a kit with V2.5 firmware at no additional cost. You just won't get the new V2.6+ features, but you can upgrade any time you want for just the cost of postage.

Regardless of the mode used, the PTT output is active 100ms before and 100ms after the CW ID, and the CW output can be used to key a transmitter. Speed is variable from 5 to 60 words per minute, and the audio pitch for the CW ID and the courtesy beep is also variable via the menu. Both the CW and PTT outputs are equipped with robust 2N7000 MOSFETs that can handle up to 60V positive or negative.

You can order the ID-O-Matic kit that includes the ID-O-Matic chip along with a high quality, double-sided PCB with silkscreen and solder mask, female DB9 serial connector, all needed resistors, capacitors, and transistors along with a dual-color LED and the same little micro speaker used on the PicoKeyer kit (the speaker mounts off-board). All you need to supply is a project box, source of power, and a couple of switches. If you want to "roll your own" you can order just the chip alone, which comes with complete data and instructions. If you want to see the instructions before ordering, just click this link for a PDF copy.