A few years ago, when I worked in Russia PayPal, I purchased a set for soldering through the Internet - the electronic key Ultrapicokeyer.

Introduction

This electronic telegraph key with memory is developed by N0XAS and is sold as a set for assembly. The main function of this device of Hamgadgets for radio amateurs is the formation of a telegraph both by pressing the iambic key levers, and using the sequences of symbols - macros recorded in memory.
For a long time I used it only for work manually instead of the built -in TLG electronic key, without macros. But I wanted to figure out all the possibilities of Ultra Picokeyer.

Description

ULTRAPICOKEYER - Automatic telegraph key with memory. The price of the set (KIT) is $ 40 or about 2500 rubles, but the payment is only in dollars, so it is currently impossible to buy the key in Russia (only through intermediaries).

Advantages of Ultra Picokeyer:

• Processing of key rates of key contacts, which reduces the number of errors when transmitting
• An operational and smooth change in the manipulation rate using the handle of a variable resistor (it is not required to enter the menu to change speed in WPM, as in the Yaesu FT-857 radio stations). The manipulation rate can be adjusted in large limits from 5 to 60 WPM, the boundaries can be set in the device menu, for example from 15 to 25 WPM.
• The concept of "desirable", i.e. The "familiar" speed is through the menu. When turning the potentiometer to the left, the usual speed is set (each amateur radio has its own)
• The key is powered by the built -in CR2032 battery (used in computers to maintain BIOS parameters)
• built -in piezo speaker for self -control
• The exit to the headphones, when connecting which the built -in speaker is turned off.
• The menu for setting up the key parameters - so, you can set your call sign Mycall for quick extraction from memory.
• The electronic key can control any transceivers - opening contacts with a voltage up to 60 volts.
• The menu for settings is "auditory". It is not required to connect a personal computer to program a key.
• Small weight, dimensions.
• A long period of work from the nutrition element without replacement - up to 3 years.
• If instead of the battery use an external power supply with a voltage of 3V, you can program the telegraph key as lighthouse so that it starts automatic transmission of the message when the power voltage appears, and repeat it every 5-20 minutes.
• In the Hamgadgets.com online store, you can buy devices with cases of different colors, program different devices "Not all occasions". For example, black for ordinary QSO, red for competitions, green for "fox hunting".

Compared to analogues with AliExpress:

• It has 4 buttons for 4 macros caused by a simple press.
• The ability to record their macros by transmitting an arbitrary text from the key, with a substitution to the text of the call sign.
• knows how to work as a lighthouse of periodic transmission (repetition time is programmed)
• the possibility of acquisition in the form of a set for soldering - with the aim of independent manufacture
• The unique CW mode via FM can be used in radio networks (or on repite) to study a telegraph by transmitting an alphabet of Morze with portable VHF radio stations, using a homemade cable to the radio station.

Ultrapicokeyer was supplied in the form of a package with a printed circuit board, a chipped controller chip, a set of radio components, a speaker, a variable resistor, 4 buttons, 3 nests and a case. After assembly, soldering according to the instructions, the key does not require adjustment - when connecting the battery, it is launched immediately. The output of the sound when pressing buttons or closing contacts for a horizontal (iambic) telegraph key goes to the built -in piezoelectric speaker (sound frequency by default 2 kHz can be changed through the menu).

The staging of the key from the set is not problems, a maximum of 40 minutes slowly. The soldering iron is suitable, with a thin sting. The details are large, no small details, SMD components. At the last stage, the board is placed in the case (consists of 2 halves connected by screws). As a power source, as mentioned earlier, the CR2032 lithium battery with a voltage of 3 volts is used.

Connection

On the rear panel of Ultrapicokeyer are located three nests 3.5 mm.

Extreme on the left - headphone output or dynamics for self -control of the quality of transmission.
Average - entrance for a telegraph manipulator type "Yambic Key" (in English "Paddle").
Right - access to the radio station (the usual acoustic cable Jack 3.5 mm - Jack 3.5 mm is suitable).

To train the transmission of the ABC Morse, it is enough to connect the key to the central connector. The telegraph key that I use - MFJ -561k Paddle, Miniature Travel, Imbic, Kit. Now it costs $ 35, at the rate the price comes out 2200 rubles.
I ordered from China in the store "Radio Frequency 1988 Store" another key printed on a 3D printer - AK02 for 940 rubles.

Device control

On the front panel there are four buttons in the form of plastic pins - pushers:

*Two buttons with the edge: 1 - to the left and 4 - to the right are used to go between the menu items.

*Two central buttons - 2 - down and 3 - up to change the parameter value inside the menu item.

Simultaneous pressing of two buttons 1 and 4 transfers the call sign Mycall.

In turn, a short press of the buttons 1 , 2 , 3 or 4 you can transmit pre -recorded messages.

To configure the standing wave coefficient in the coordinating device, you can press two buttons 1 and 3 .
After that, with a single click on the key, the “dash” will be endlessly transmitted, and when the “points” is pressed, a series of points.

To get out of the SWR settings mode, click the 2 "Arrow down" button.

To adjust the manipulation rate there is a variable resistor, the handle of which is located on the right side of the front panel.

How to get from the menu?

Click and hold for several seconds at the same time 3 and 4 buttons. At the entrance to the menu, the sound of the sign of the question "?" ..-- ..

The exit from the menu - also hold 3 and 4 .

Menu

1. The choice of control - points under the index finger, and dash under the thumb (or vice versa):

Enter the menu ( 3+4 ).

Click "1" - hit the menu of the firmware version "Vers 2.0"

Click "1" - we are in the menu item "menu" "l"
Click "1" - we are in the menu item "My call"
Click "1" - we are in the item "Delay"
Click "1" - we are in the "Audio T" .
Click "1" - the menu we need "padl" - then the invitation "dit" ,
[Mark] After the hint "dit" you need to touch the petal on the telegraph bobbin, -horn is responsible for the point . [/mark]
*Leave the menu - simultaneously press ( 3+4 ).

2. Write the call sign Mycall

Enter the menu ( 3+4 ).

Click "1" - hit the menu of the firmware version "Vers 2.0"
Press the "1" button - hit the "Menu L"

*Press the "1" button - hit the "My Call".

press and hold "2" (arrow down)

Record the call sign using the transmission from the key.

press and hold "2" (arrow down)

*Leave the menu - simultaneously press ( 3+4 ).

Macros recording buttons 1, 2, 3, 4

На An example of the button 1. We hold it for a long time to start the recording (the “invitation” will sound by the beginning of the input - the letter “k”).

Enter our call sign with the key using the key.

If you were mistaken, we go out by pressing any other button, except for the one in which we write down.
For example, if the macro was recorded on the number "1" , the exit by pressing "4" or 2 or 3.

At the exit without conservation, the answer will sound: "nr" - not recorded ("non record").

If an error occurs, we repeat the actions from the beginning - holding the button and entering CW.

The end of the recording - conservation in memory is made to long retention of the same button.

We also do with the other three buttons - write macros 2, 3, 4 in them.

My macros for Ultra Picokeyer

1)CQ CQ DE {my-call} {my-call} PSE K

Introduction:
CQ {пауза} /R DE {пауза} /Y /Y PSE K

2)DE {my-call} GD UR RST IS пауза_для_RST пауза_для_RST HW K?

Introduction:
DE /Y GD OM UR RST IS/P/P {пауза} HW? K

3)TNX {пауза_для_вода_имени_с_ключа} CU 73 73 DE {my-call} SK E E

Introduction:
TNX/P CU 73 73 DE /Y SK E E

4)DE {my-call} MY NAME NAME IS VLADIMIR VLADIMIR ES QTH QTH IS ST PETERSBURG HW? PSE KN

Introduction:
DE /Y пауза MY NAME NAME IS пауза VLADIMIR VLADIMIR пауза ES QTH QTH IS ST PETERSBURG пауза HW? PSE KN

The conventional signs used here:

/y - synonym for the call sign Mycall
/p - pause to wait for the entry from the key (for example, 579 - report)
/r - repeat the last word.

For example, instead CQ CQ CQ можно ввести CQ /R/R that saves the memory of the key.

Demonstration

МакRos 1. Automatic CQ without human participation.

МакRos 2. The call sign (from the key) was transferred for demonstration non -existent - RL1K. After "is" I inserted a report (with a small mistake). Since the pause is inserted twice /p /p, you can transfer the report 2 times when I demand the rules of politeness. The rest of the message is transmitted by electronic key automatically.

МакRos 3. The end of QSO. At the beginning of the message, the call sign was transferred to the key and almost immediately I handed the name of the correspondent from the key - in this case, the fictional - Alex. After that, the entire final part of QSO is transmitted automatically. (This macro can be redone to add a pause at the end of QSO to insert the call sign from the key of the call sign).

МакRos 4. Completely automatic. Information about yourself. My name and settlement (QTH).

The description of all the values used in the macros and the appointment of menu items are given in the instructions for the key (available on the Internet).
I will try to prepare the translation in the next part of the article.

Link:

• User Guide Ultra Picokeyer - PDF.

Addition of 23.12.2022:

Фотографии disassembled electronic telegraph key Hamgadgets ultra pico keyer:

(Click on the picture to increase).

.

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