Ultra PicoKeyer
27 January 2017 (Firmware V2.2)
Page 3 of 21
The Pushbuttons
Special Note:
If you try to send something with your paddle and get an unexpected result, you
may still be in setup mode. To exit setup, push buttons 3 and 4 (▲and ►). If you hear “dit dit”
you’re back in normal operating mode.
The Ultra PicoKeyer has four memories, controlled by the four pushbuttons on the front panel. Operating these
buttons is very simple and straightforward, and their use is as you might expect from a modern electronic device.
Playing a Stored Message
Pressing and immediately releasing any of the four buttons once (a “tap” of a button) will send the message stored
with that button, if there is one stored. If you want to stop a message while it’s being played, just tap either paddle
OR tap the same message button again.
Messages can be “stacked” or queued. If a message is playing, pressing any other message button will queue that
message to be played as soon as the current message is finished. You can stack up to four messages. Tapping
either paddle will always terminate all message playback.
Using Keyer Features
There are several functions that can be used by pressing multiple buttons at the same time.
To enter Tuneup Mode
, press buttons 1 & 3 (◄ and ▲) at the same time. In Tuneup Mode, you can tap
the dash paddle to send a steady carrier or tap the dot paddle to send a string of dits. Tap either paddle to
stop sending. Tap any button to exit Tuneup Mode. While in Tuneup mode, the sidetone will always be
ON regardless of the sidetone setting as a reminder that you’re transmitting.
To decrease the QSO counter by one
, press buttons 1 & 2 (◄ and ▼) at the same time. The keyer will
send two “dits” using the sidetone only to let you know it decremented the QSO counter.
To check the current operating speed
, press buttons 2 & 4 (▼ and ►) at the same time. The keyer will
announce the currently selected speed in Morse code, using the sidetone only.
To send the contents of the MYCALL memory,
press the outer two buttons
(◄ and ►) at the same time.
To check for a straight key
and adjust for straight key or paddle use, press buttons 2 & 3 (▼ and ▲) at
the same time. The keyer will check to see if either paddle input is grounded, and if so it will treat the other
input as a straight key. If neither input is grounded it will assume a paddle is in use. The keyer will
announce “K” to let you know it’s ready for normal operation.
To enter Setup Mode
, press buttons 3 & 4 (▲ and ►) at the same time. See the “Setup Mode” section for
information about how to change settings. When you’re finished in setup mode, just press buttons 3 & 4
together again to exit. The keyer will automatically exit setup mode after roughly 30 to 35 seconds of
inactivity.
Recording, Reviewing and Saving Messages
Don’t let the following description fool you – recording, reviewing and saving messages is very simple and
intuitive! It would take less time to demonstrate than it will to read these instructions. The buttons on your Ultra
PicoKeyer are powerful little things and very easy to use.
To record a message
: To record a message in the currently selected message bank, press and hold one of the
pushbuttons to record the message associated with that button. Simply hold the button until you hear the Morse
code “K” prompt (about two seconds). You are now in
recording mode
. Record your new message using the
paddle as you normally would. When you’re done recording, press and hold the button again to save the new
message. The keyer will announce “R” to let you know it recorded the message.
