Welcome to our FAQ!

April 17th, 2010

If you have questions about our web site, our operations, or our products there’s a good chance you’ll find the answer here. If you don’t, feel free to ask a question of your own by clicking here or on the “Ask a Question” link on the right.

We’ve been in business for over thirty years, and our web site has been on-line for over a decade, so we have accumulated a considerable “knowledge base.” The questions and answers are organized in categories, with some questions listed in multiple categories.

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73 from Marshall, N1FN

Is a single lever paddle a “sideswiper”?

April 17th, 2010

Can a single lever paddle be used as a sideswiper or cootie key?  And if so, how would you wire it? Read the rest of this entry »

Can I check continuity with my VOM?

April 16th, 2010

My digital multimeter has a continuity test, but my new analog VOM does not. Can I check continuity with my VOM, and if so, how?
Read the rest of this entry »

If you could only have ONE key…

August 25th, 2009

Which one would you choose?

Whoa, what a question!  I mean, what is the REASON that I can have
only one?  Is it because all the key makers have gone out of business, so I get to buy one, at any cost and then never any more?  Or is it because I’m moving into an apartment and only have room on the desk for one key?  Or is it because I can only afford a few dollars for one key? And do I get to keep my paddles and bugs? [g]
Read the rest of this entry »

What were the Morse requirements?

June 17th, 2009

What were Morse code requirements in Amateur Radio, before the 2001 changes and the complete abolition of code testing in 2005?  And what were the testing procedures? Read the rest of this entry »

What’s a “cootie key?”

May 17th, 2007

Some of the other names for a cootie key might be more familiar– sideswiper, double-speed key, and slap key. The simplest definition is a double-sided straight key, operated horizontally. Read the rest of this entry »

How should I maintain my soldering iron tips?

April 27th, 2007

I am having trouble with my soldering tips. It seems that I have to use a tip tinner way to often. If I let the iron sit for any small amount of time even while I place another component for soldering I have to clean the oxidation off it before it will even melt solder. My question is….I use regular tap water on my sponge could this be the problem with my tip oxidizing so quickly? If I used Distilled or Deionized water will it help in keeping my tip clean? If so which is best to use Distilled or Deionized? Read the rest of this entry »

What is meant by “Beacon Mode”

April 27th, 2007

Beacon mode, a feature of many electronic keyers, is the continuous repetition of a message until the operator intervenes. Read the rest of this entry »

Why does my key have a switch on it?

April 4th, 2007

My Ameco K-4 key has a thing like a switch on it. It’s a thin metal piece with a small plastic knob and it can be rotated in underneath a flange on the lower contact. What exactly is it for?

Read the rest of this entry »

Will the OHR DD-1 Digital Dial work with my radio?

April 4th, 2007

We do not directly support the OHR DD-1 as a digital dial for radios other than OHR, but in practice it can be used with many. The manual includes block diagrams of several basic receiver types with indications of where you would look for a connection point. If your radio does not have a countable frequency available at a jack (e.g. an “accessory jack”) you will need to have some understanding of the electronics involved, and an ability to read the schematic diagram for your receiver.
But of course the DD-1 is also set up for use as a stand-alone counter. So if you can find a relevant frequency to count, you can use the DD-1, and often you can program the “digital dial side” of the device to show your operating frequency. The usual problem is that some receiver designs use different LO frequencies for different bands or groups of bands. One solution to that problem is to set up different offsets in the five memories of the DD-1, and selecting them is simply a matter of pressing a front- panel button.

The connection parameters are essentially identical to the AADE DFD1 (which we also sell). Neil provides detailed notes for a number of radios on his web site at www.aade.com.