CW

The K44 is the Swiss Army knife of CW keyers. A CW keyboard interface, CW reader, iambic paddle keyer, backlit LCD display, and optically isolated keying outputs are all presented in one compact box. In addition, the K44 will operate many different modes including QRSS, HSCW, and conventional CW up to 140 WPM. We sell the K44 assembled, tested, and ready to go. We include an AC supply with US orders only. (110/120 VAC) if you live outside the USA you will need to source your own supply (7 to 10VDC), a power connector is supplied. Please review the cable recommendations link for K44 cabling info. We do not include a keyboard with the K44, almost any PS/2 keyboard will work fine, the User Manual provides suggestions on this.


The on board CW reader accepts audio from a receiver, then filters, demodulates, and decodes CW characters which are then displayed on the LCD. An LED array is used to tune in CW stations quickly and accurately. The K44 CWR is a new design featuring much improved copy and faster reader lock than the original K42 CWR.


Manual en español

K44 Features

  • IBM PS/2 Keyboard I/F (keyboard not included)
  • 5 - 120 WPM CW Transmit
  • Adjustable sidetone frequency
  • Iambic keyer w/autospace
  • Farnsworth spacing
  • Adjustable weighting
  • Keying Compensation
  • First dit/dah compensation
  • Optically Isolated HV Outputs
  • Adjustable PTT delay
  • 2048 byte message memory
  • 12 memory slots
  • Messages can be chained, called, or repeated
  • Programmable beacon delay
  • K1EL CW command language
  • 200 character type ahead
  • HSCW and QRSS Tx support
  • Serial number generator
  • Keyboard key paddle
  • Custom Prosigns
  • European character and keyboard support
  • RFI filtering on interconnect leads
  • 16 character by 2 line LCD
  • Rotary Encoder speed control
  • Meets FCC and CE emissions requirements
  • Dimensions: 4" W by 3.25" D by 1.75" H

K44 CW Keyer & Reader w/Keyboard I/F



The K44 has a great CW reader but one thing that slows most folks down is connecting audio from their receiver to the K44's audio input. K1EL recommends getting audio from the receiver's audio line output jack which, in most cases, is located on the back of the radio. Usually it's in a multi-pin DIN accessory connector, which is certainly not very convenient. The reason the line out works so well is that it is a high impedance output, which matches the K44 audio input, and it is unaffected by the radio's AF gain control. You can turn the AF gain control up and down and K44 copy is unaffected.


The next best option is to plug into the radio's external speaker jack. There are two problems with this, the first is that it is a low impedance output, usually 8 ohms. The second is as soon as you plug something into the external speaker jack the radio's internal speaker is muted. Our recommendation, up to now, has been is to make up a Y cable but that doesn't solve the impedance mismatch. To solve this once and for all, we designed an audio splitter kit which takes the place of a Y cable and also solves the impedance mismatch problem. Unfortunately it doesn't solve the gain changing issue but it's a good compromise.


The K44 Splitter board has three 1/8 inch jacks, one jack goes to your radio's external speaker jack, a second one goes to you exernal speaker, and a third goes to the K44's audio input jack. Use two of our 1/8 inch to 1/8 inch audio cables as shown below and you are all set.


K44-Splitter Features

  • 1/8 inch (3.5mm) audio input jack. Connect this to your radio's external speaker jack.
  • 1/8 inch (3.5mm) speaker audio output jack. Connect this to your external speaker.
  • 1/8 inch (3.5mm) Hi-Z audio output jack. Connect this to the K44's audio input jack.
  • K44 audio is coupled through a low level impedance transformer.
  • 4 - 16 ohm audio input, 4 - 16 ohm speaker output and 4.7K ohm output impedance to K44.
  • High frequency noise filtering.
  • Audio attenuator to prevent K44 audio overload.
  • Negligible effect on external speaker volume or tone.
  • All connectors on board, no flying leads or components.
  • Easy assembly with large through hole components. (30 minute assembly time)