INSTRUCTIONS
MK-1 Programmable Keyer
Contents:
1. Unpacking
6. Memory Programming Tips
2. Automatic Keyer Operation 7. In Case of Trouble
3. Memory Operation
8. Warranty & Returns to Manufacturer
4. Connection to Transmitter
9. Late Notes - Covers Points Raised by Users
5. Battery Operation
10. Schematics & Layout Drawing
1. UNPACKING
Carefully unpack the keyer. Note that various plugs
etc. are provided for hook up to a paddle, your
transmitter, and a battery.
2. AUTOMATIC KEYER OPERATION
You must first attach a paddle to the keyer. A dual-
lever (squeeze) paddle is recommended to take ad-
vantage of Iambic operation, although a single lever
paddle (with dot AND dash contacts) may be used.
An old-fashioned hand key will not work, since it
has only one set of contacts.
Connect the paddle to the large "stereo" plug en-
closed. The common (ground or center) paddle out-
put must go to the ground lead of the stereo plug.
Dot and dash paddle outputs go to the other two
plug connections. Plug the paddle into the keyer
rear panel, and plug the keyer into a standard 115
VAC U.S. wall plug. Set controls as follows:
Volume - 7/8 rotated
Speed - 1/2 rotated
Repeat - Down
Combine C/D - Down
Record/Play - Play
WHEN POWER IS FIRST APPLIED TO THE KEYER, THE
MONITOR MAY COME ON CONTINUOUSLY OR BE
ERRATIC. THIS IS CAUSED BY AN UNCERTAIN INITIAL
STATE OF ONE FLIP-FLOP, AND IS CURED BY SEND-
ING A FEW DOTS AND DASHES TO INITIALIZE THE
LOGIC.
Start sending with the paddle. Speed is adjustable
from below 10 WPM to above 50 WPM. The highest
speeds are impractical for sending, but will help
when recording (see below). Note that the speed
control is not linear; more-rapid speed change oc-
curs at high speeds. Monitor tone may be adjusted
by turning the trimpot on the keyer circuit board.
(See layout drawing)
Closing the dash paddle yields a continuous string
of dashes with a space in-between, and a perfect
3:1 ratio between dash and space lengths. Similarly,
the dot paddle yields dots and spaces in a perfect
1:1 ratio.
At this point, be sure your paddle is connected with
the proper sense. When you move your hand to the
left, dashes should be produced; moving the hand
right should produce dots. Reverse the dot and
dash wires to the paddle if the opposite occurs. This
sets your keyer up in the way used by virtually all
CW operators.
DOT AND DASH MEMORIES: These memories may
be demonstrated as follows: Set the keyer to its
slowest speed. Select "Play". Quickly close first the
dash lever then the dot lever. Quickly release both
levers before the dash is over. Note that the keyer
still supplies a dot. In fact, the dot lever may be
tapped anytime during a dash or the following
space, and the keyer will supply a perfectly-spaced
dash/dot pair. The dash memory can be demon-
strated analogous to the above by tapping the dot
then dash levers. These memories greatly case
sending, even though you're normally not aware
they're present.
