[UK-CONTEST] CQWW CW

[Frank Hunter]

Mike Harris wrote:
> G'day folks,

Hi Mike!

> Unleashed my microHAM CW Keyer for the first time this weekend, driven by 
> SD.  Worked perfectly well albeit it gives a feeling of semi-detachment 
> from the CW.  I am, however, having some difficulty coming to terms with 
> the slight difference in timing between the microHAM and the internal 
> keyer in my K2.  Both in iambic mode B.  Having driven the K2 since 2000 I 
> find I can be all over the place with the MH, extra trailing dot, and I am 
> also falling out with the Bencher.  

[snip]

This seems to be a known problem and Microham US sell a "debouncer" to 
solve it, it was originally known as the "Begali problem" the following 
are all from the Microham yahoogroup:

"I got my MK about to six weeks ago and have been enjoying PSK and
RTTY.  I have started operationg CW again and noticed that the K1EL
keyer seems to generate extra "dits" on its own.  I tried re-adjusting
the paddles, but to no avail.  I went back to my Idiom press K3 keyer
and all is fine.

Just searched the group, and noticed there was something about a pre-
processor that was being developed."

-----------------------------------

"The K1EL paddle processor/debouncer is shown at the bottom of
the "Accessories" link from microKEYER and CW Keyer.  The
direct link is: www.microham-usa.com/Products/Begali.html

The processor/debouncer is available in two versions - with
a 3.5 mm male plug on the input for connecting to the Begali
paddles and with a 1/4" female jack for connecting to other
"standard" paddles."

-----------------------------------

"It is not fair to call this a "Begali" problem.  It exists in my 
Schurr and
March paddles also.  It is more accurately a "K1EL"  problem.  The paddles
were there first and the decision to use a voltage  divider to determine 
the dits
and dahs has turned out to be the problem not  anything inherent in the
design of Peiro Begali's.  The K1EL device should  have had the 
debouncer circuit
included in the first place"

-----------------------------------

Funnily enough I noticed the problem  with my old Kent key but /not/ 
with its replacement Profi, or maybe I've just adjusted? :-)

73, Frank GI4NKB

-- 
I listened to a CB3NI and death lost its sting.