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Re: [VHFcontesting] Contest voice keyer - which one

To: VHF Contesting <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Contest voice keyer - which one
From: "Kenneth E. Harker" <kenharker@kenharker.com>
Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2005 12:58:41 -0700
List-post: <mailto:vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
On Mon, Apr 18, 2005 at 08:58:36AM -0700, George Burton wrote:
> 
> I would like to find a voice keyer to use on VHF contests. I will be
> operating portable so running a desktop computer using a plug-in card is not
> an option. I need to find a stand alone unit or a program that will work in
> the background on my laptop computer. The laptop will be used for logging.
> MFJ makes the 434 keyer but I have tried to stay away from MFJ stuff. If you
> have used the MFJ-434 please tell me what you think about it. Any
> suggestions or comments?

I've use the W9XT Contest Card for many years and been very happy with it.
It is, however, an ISA card for desktop PCs.  Gary has an external keyer now,
the VK-64, which is a combination voice keyer and CW keyer:

http://www.unifiedmicro.com/vk64.htm

Another popular option with HF contesters is the ZS4TX Super Combo Keyer.
It include CW and voice keyers, as well as some switching hardware for SO2R
that might be useful with multiple VHF/UHF rigs, too:

http://www.zs4tx.co.za/sck/

A third option might be to use a RigBlaster or similar soundcard-to-rig
interface hardware with a soundcard-based voice keyer.  Some logging programs
have the voice keyer through the soundcard logic built-in, others run 
separate programs.  All require some sort of interface hardware (there are 
several competing vendors) to use effectively.

If you do want to go with an MFJ external voice keyer, there are some links 
on the TR Log web site to hardware interface tips that help overcome some of
the RFI problems with those keyers:

http://www.trlog.com/hardware.shtml

-- 
Kenneth E. Harker WM5R
kenharker@kenharker.com
http://www.kenharker.com/

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