Cw Auto Keyer

[Casimiro Lurten]

Everythingyou need to send great CW from this MFJ Cutris Keyer TM -- easy access front panel controls, all keyer modes, dot-dash memories, jam-proof spacing, weight control, sidetone, built-in speaker and more. Speed, weight, tone, volume controls, tune, semi-auto and on/off switches are all on the front panel.

A dual paddle key such as the MFJ-564, lets you use the iambic mode. In this mode, you can insert a dot before a dash finishes or insert a dash before a dot finishes. Also, squeezing both paddles generates alternating dots and dashes. This lets you send characters such as C, K, and R with a single squeeze. It turns an inexperienced fist into a professional.

You can use the automatic mode with a single or dual paddle. You automatically generate dots and dashes by pressing the paddle. You can switch into a semi-automatic bug mode to generate dots automatically and dashes manually. Or you can use a straight key and manually generate your own dots and dashes.

You get dot-dash memory, self-completing dots and dashes, jam-proof spacing and instant start keying. Select Type A or Type B keying to match your sending style. Weight control lets you adjust your dot-dash space ratio to make your signal sound distinctive to bust through pile-ups. It also lets you compensate for the turn-on delay of your transmitter.

Has tune switch for tuning your transmitter or antenna tuner. RF proof. Built-in speaker for sidetone. Keys solid state and tube transmitters. Use 9 volt battery or 110 VAC with MFJ-1312D.

Is your CW Rusty? Relax and plug-in this MFJ Morse Code Reader with built-in Keyer at your operating station . . then watch CW turn into solid text messages as they scroll across an easy-to-read LCD display.

It makes working high speed CW a breeze -- even if youre rusty. A type-ahead buffer, message memories and adjustable speed get you ready to compete with the worlds best hi-speed CW operatiors -- and they wont even know you just passed the code test!

The MFJ-464 gives you everything you need to have the Ultimate CW Station:

Sends and Reads 5-99 WPM

Automatic Speed Tracking

Large 2-line LCD shows send/receive messages

Single or Iambic paddle or computer keyboard operation

Front panel speed, volume controls

4 message memories

Type ahead buffer

Read again buffer

Adjustable Weight and Sidetone

Speaker, RFI Proof

Reader Has Auto Speed Track

MFJ AutoTrak automatically locks on, tracks, and displays CW to 99 WPM. Simply plug in your MFJ-464 to your receiver speaker until the lock LED flashes in time with the CW.

High Performance Modem

Consistently get solid copy from MFJs high performance PLL (phase lock loop) modem. Digs out weak signals. Even tracks slightly drifting signals. Of course, nothing can clean up and copy a sloppy fist, especially weak signals with lots of QRM/QRN.

Superb built-in Keyer Features

The MFJ-464 combines the latest millennium microprocessor technology with non-volatile EEPROM memory for a full featured, low cost, high reliability design. You can send CW or load messages using a paddle, keyboard, or through your computer serial port.

Easy-to-use menus and LCD display let you set all keyer functions merely by pushing buttons. Keyer functions can also be changed from your keyboard or computer. The MFJ-464 has 4 message memories of 256 characters each. You can repeat messages continuously, insert timed pauses within messages, insert an auto-incrementing serial number, have messages call other messages or insert embedded commands to change speed, weight, etc. -- automatically.

Sinewave Sidetone . . More!

MFJ-464 supports direct keying output, Has PTT output, built-in speaker, sinewave sidetone and more! Iambic keyer with dot and dash memories: automatic, semi, or hand-key mode. Input queue lets you store multiple messagse. Auto-incrementing contest serial numbering from 001 to 9999.

Adjustable Speed 5-99 WPM

Digital linear soeed control from 5-99 WPM. Farnsworth Mode with speed adjustable from 10-99 WPM. Ultra speed sets messages up to 990 wpm. Adjustable weight 25% to 75%. Adjustable sidetone from 300 to 1000 Hz. Keying output delay up to 20 milliseconds. Pust-To-Talk (PTT) hang time to 5 seconds. Timed tune function for XMTR adjusting. Timed pauses in messages/message loop. Internal speaker with adjustable volume. Support for Qwerty & Dvorak keyboards.

Type-Ahead Buffer

190 characters type-ahead keyboard buffer with low-buffer warning. Keyboard input lets you plug in any AT keyboard. All commands, functions & memories can be done through the keyboard! Compact and handsome all-black metal cabinet measures just 6.25 x 2.5 x 6.25 inches. Uses 12 VDC or 110 VAC with MFJ-1312D, $29.95, optional AC Adapter.

I was just about to finally start animating in Maya 2016 and i clicked the auto keying button and moved my character. When i moved him i looked and no keyframe was set. I made sure it was on, turned it off and on again and still no keyframes. Any reason why it shouldn't work? Thanks everyone in advance!

The auto-bug keyer, or electronic bug key, allows automatic or manually controlled variable length dashes while it adjusts the dots and spaces automatically. The original version of the keyer was described in a QST article.1 It was similar to the Mark II, but contained provision for only four message memories.

I received many inquiries and requests for the program file following the publication of the original article. This led me to believe that there were many hams interested in the original auto-bug keyer. Since that time, I have upgraded it to the auto-bug keyer mark II. The added features of the updated version are:

Having additional channels of message memory is very helpful for many kinds of operation. The down side is that it is not easy for me to remember which memory channel has which message. I decided to use a switch to shift one set of four memories to other spaces in the memory IC. When the operating style changes, as in going from normal operation to contest mode, or from ragchewing to DXing, for example, you can shift to a different set of memories.

Message memory can store the signal as you operate, in the current operation mode. Iambic signals are stored as they are sent, as are variable length auto-bug signals. The recorded dash length can vary, according to your fist, from the length of a single dot to about eight dots in length compared to the automatically generated three-dot dash. Spaces can be recorded from as short as a single dot (normal) to a duration of 40 dots.

Figure 3 shows the circuit diagram. The circuit is a little simpler than the last version. A gate IC for channel selection is replaced by a switch matrix. The MODE switch is also simpler. The PIC microcomputer and the memory IC are the same as in the original version. It is nice that a higher capacity PIC is not necessary for this system upgrade.

S4 is the SHIFT switch for the memory. When you push any memory switch, the PIC repeats alternatively trying to charge C8 and checking the voltage, at high speed. If the switch is OFF, C8 will be charged, but if it is ON it will not charge. Thus the PIC knows if this switch is on or off. It is just enough that the switch be turned on for a moment. Therefore, the switch may be either a toggle switch or a momentary contact push button. The latter is similar to a keyboard shift key.

It is important to use sockets for ICs. They will allow for easy firmware updating and avoid static problems until ICs are mounted at the end of the assembly process. Potentiometer R9 controls the keying speed. Any value of resistance within the range 10,000 ohms to 100,000 ohms can be used, but a linear type should be selected. R8, on the other hand, is best if an audio taper. FB1 should be FB-101 or a similar sized ferrite bead. I once suffered FET damage by the back electromotive force when I used a larger size, an FB-801.

Figure 2 shows the PCB pattern from the parts side of the board and the parts mounting detail. The size of the pattern is 49 60 mm. I used a universal board to minimize the size. I also cut the corner off the board to squeeze out the space for the connector. Refer to Figure 4 for the inside configuration.

Connect the batteries and plug in your paddle. The paddle may be either the single or double lever type. But of course, iambic mode will not really work with a single lever paddle. Turn S1 and S2 on and set R9 (SPD) and R8 (MON) at the center position.

First, set S3 to the iambic position, and try keying. Then check the speed control by varying R9. Next, turn S3 to AUTO-BUG and try this mode. Check to make sure the dashes are manual and of variable length. Dots should be automatic and spaces should follow your keying even with very short spacing. If you do not notice the expected adjustment, turn R9 left to set the speed to minimum and try again. You will soon understand what the auto-bug keyer is doing. After some short practice, you will be a proficient bug operator.

Turn S4 off and push any of memory switches S5 to S8 for about 2 seconds. Then the monitor beeps R and BT. R will be at fixed speed and BT at the speed set by R9. Release the switch to stop the beeps. The previous record, if any, is cancelled by this.

Then manipulate the paddle to record your message in any operation mode. The signal is recorded at the mode in operation when you pushed the memory switch. When you finish the message, push the memory switch briefly. Then, the monitor beeps AR and the keyer finishes the recording. The last space after the end of the message is cancelled. If there is no message recorded, the monitor just beeps the letter T.

If the repeat mode is set, the last space after the message is recorded until the memory switch is pushed is the intermessage space. At the same time it will be the time lag to be back to the real time mode. The recorded message remains in the memory even after the keyer is turned off. To replay, push the memory switch briefly. The stored message from the selected channel will be sent out in the same mode it was recorded in, but at the current speed setting. You can stop replaying by pushing the dash paddle.

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