Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does Easykey compare to Softkey in terms of performance?
So long as both do the job for which they are designed, performance is the same. Easykey has 9 volts at the relay key terminals as compared to about a volt on Softkey. With Softkey, the relay key voltage must be pulled very low. Because the voltage does not have to reach very low levels in EasyKey, the EasyKey design is much less susceptible to variation in keying circuits which may be seen in various transceivers.
2. Are the SMART Keyers still available? SMART Filter?
MSC not longer exists. N4YG is not in the business in the same way. Some of the key parts associated with the SMART Keyer series and SMART Filter are obsolete and either not available at all or the price has increased to the extent that it is no longer practical to produce them.
3. I have lost my manual for my SMART Keyer or SMART Filter. Do you have a replacement?
Click Old Stuff and you can download the manual text. If you wish a printed manual, send an email. We may have some left.
4. Do you have a kit or printed circuit board for the Hw-101 DDS?
Yes. Since the very tiny AD9835 DDS processor is so difficult to attach to the board and because the potential for destroying both the board and the AD9835 is significant, we only sell the board fully assembled and tested.
5. I am constructing the SMART Keyboard Interface unit and I am having trouble seeing the small details and therefore having difficulty soldering. Any suggestions?
Yes, I highly recommend that you purchase item number 38896 from Harbor Freight. It is a Magnifier Head Strap with lights and the cost is only $6. One of the most useful tools I have ever purchased.
6. My SMART Keyboard (or Key-n-Log) was working fine and all of a sudden it does not work right. Is it broken?
No, probably not. You are most likely getting RF into the USB cable. You need a shielded cable. If you ordered a parts kit from us, you most likely got shielded cable. Our shielded cables are white. You can check to see if the problem is RF by simply turning the drive to your transmitter down very low. If everything is fine, you have an RF problem. If you advance the drive you will reach a point where bad things begin to happen.
7. I have constructed the SMART Keyboard Interface Unit. I have it connected to my computer and have paddles plugged into the "PADDLES" jack, but when I close the paddles I hear nothing from the sidetone. What is wrong?
The volume is probably set to zero. Run the GUI. You should get the message, "Firmware Version 0.2.0", in the Alert Area. If you do not get that, the host computer is not finding the Interface Unit. The problem is either with the Interface Unit or the computer operating system. Remember, the operating system must be Windows 98 Second Edition(SE) or more recent. If you do get the message above, increase the volume to about 20 and type something in the Keyboard window. You should hear CW.
8. How do I connect the SMART Keyboard Interface to my rig and paddles?
Click here to see a pictorial of the connecting cables and connectors.
9. The sidetone from my SMART Keyboard Interface unit is not very loud. What can I do about it?
We have experienced problems with the small mylar speakers. The most common problem is solder bridges between the leads of the transistors. If you are experiencing low output from the speaker, get a magnifying glass and inspect the soldering of the two drive transistors.
10. I am constructing the Interface Unit from the parts package purchase from you. Which of the LED leads goes to the square pad on the PC board?
The short lead is the cathode and it connects to the square pad.