QRP (or not) PIC-Keyer by DL4YHF
Searching over Internet I found several projects of electronic keyer. Some of it you will find in link section. But, from my opinion best of all is DL4YHF's PIC-Keyer. It is very simple for building, use popular PIC16F84 micro controller that is easy for programming with simple programmer and PC. With two memory blocks and macros you can set it just as you need. Following KISS philosophy it has only two buttons and potentiometer. It is so small that will never take to much space at a table. Can be build with PIC16F84 or with newer PIC16F628. In my case I choose PIC16F84 (it was in my drawer already).
This is main keyer features as Wolfgang describe at his web site:
-
variable CW speed, adjustable via poti from 20 to 300 letters per minute (4..60 WPM)
-
two message-memories (50..64 letters), each controlled by a pushbutton
-
command mode only required for setup and more complex features
-
special modes like "endless" calling loop and automatic contest number generation
-
very low power consumption: 50..200 uA at 2.4 V supply when active, < 1 uA in standby mode
-
simple circuit, can be built on PCB with less than "half matchbox size"
-
dash/dot-memory can be turned on and off ("Iambic mode A" and "B")
-
Controller is clocked by a built-in RC-oscillator with only 50kHz clock frequency
-
passive piezo speaker can be connected for "sidetone" generation
-
originally designed for a PIC16F84, but firmware also available for PIC16F628.
Schematics diagram
Schematics made with Abacom sPlan. Download free viewer at http://www.abacom-online.de/uk/html/dateien/demos/splan-viewer60.exe
Download schematics as:
PCB layout and parts placement
At DL4YHF's site you can find schematics and SMD PCB layout. As I did not need to build so small PCB. I made one using standard threw hole parts. PCB should be very simple so anyone could make it. Here you can find PCB layout in different formats so you can choose what is best for you.
PCB layout made with Abacom Sprint 5.0. Download free viewer at http://www.abacom-online.de/uk/html/dateien/demos/ViewLayout50.exe
Download PCB layout as:
Download parts placement as:
Realization
If you plan to frequently use memory buttons it wise to put keyer in
small box which can be set close to paddle. But you can also built
keyer direct inside your home made QRP radio.
This picture show my QRP keyer next to home made paddle.
White cable is for paddle and black with yellow RCA connector is for radio. As you can see at picture, I use same keyer for Icom and QRP radio. Just change RCA plug.
User manual
User manual can bi found at author site at http://freenet-homepage.de/dl4yhf/man_eng.html.
Serbian language user manual:
Korisničko uptstvo zajedno sa šemom i dizajnom štampane pločice na srpskom.
