Note
SA-5010 81-85 $97.95
SA-5010A 85-91 $99.95
The SA-5010(A) replaced Heath’s older (and very popular) HD-1410, but the two keyers sold side by side for about 3 years. Heath called it the µMatic (pronounced “micro-matic”).
In a nutshell, the SA-5010(A) is a microprocessor controlled keyer with just about every feature you can imagine. One rather unusual feature is the paddle assembly. Unlike other paddles of other keyers, the paddles of the SA-5010(A) do not move. Instead they use touch-sensitive electronics to operate the keyer circuits. For many operators, this will require some getting used to.
The speed is user selectable from 1 to 99 words per minute in 1 word-per-minute increments, and the keyer is iambic in operation.
The keyer can store up to 240 characters in up to 10 CMOS memories. Since the memories are “soft-sectored”, the operator can store as many or as few characters in each memory as desired without wasting space. In addition to sendable characters, the memories can also hold “command strings.” These may be used, for example, to insert a pause into which the operator can manually send an RST, to tell the keyer to change speed, or to link two or more memories together, to name only a few applications. In addition, each memory message can automatically be sent up to 9 times. A clever operator could program the SA-5010(A) in such a way that an entire contest contact could be made simply by pushing buttons.
The SA-5010(A) also can send code practice sessions. The user can specify letters only, letters and numbers, or letters, numbers, and punctuation. Groups in these sessions are of random length. Over 6,000 practice sequences are available, so you don’t have to worry about memorizing them, but they are repeatable to allow for checking your copy. The practice sessions operate the keyer output so they could be transmitted if desired.
When not connected to a power source the keyer memories are retained by three “watch” type batteries (Eveready A76 or equivalent). Typical battery life is one year. There is no battery drain unless the keyer is removed from its power source. Note that the keyer will not operate from its internal batteries. The batteries are for memory retention only.
Virtually all operating parameters can be changed from the 22-key pad. For example, the paddles can be reversed for left-hand operation. When turned off the SA-5010(A) remembers the last configuration used. A diagnostic program is run each time the power is turned on. If the diagnostic fails, all the LEDs light and the sidetone sounds continuously.
Although basic operation of the µMatic is intuitive and simple, instructions are printed on the underside of the keyer, the manual will be essential to an understanding of the more complex operations— loading and/or joining buffers, for example. Virtually all operating parameters are adjustable. For instance, in addition to adjusting the keying weight, it is possible to send individual characters at, say, 20 WPM, but set the spacing so that the overall net speed is closer to 10 WPM.
The keyer can be hard wired to power up as either right- or left-handed operation, but the chirality can be changed temporarily from the keypad.
Sidetone volume and pitch as well as separate right-and left-paddle sensitivity can be changed from access holes on the underside.
The rear panel contains two keying jacks. One is for positive keying (250 volts at 100 ma), and the other is for negative keying (-200 volts at 40 ma). These jacks are protected and will key the transmitter continuously if the wrong one is used. Note: Use coaxial cable between the keyer and the transmitter. There is also a miniature phone jack for headphones, a 3-pin connector for an external paddle, and a power jack.
The SA-5010(A) has a built-in full wave bridge rectifier allowing it to run from either an AC or DC source. The membrane keypad is attached to the keyer with self-stick backing and, over time, can begin to peel off, especially on the paddle end where the ribbon connector cable is attached. This condition is fixable with the careful application of a variety of adhesives.
Caution: Because the µMatic uses CMOS chips it is subject to damage by static electricity—static sparks from your fingers touching the paddles, for example. Since the microprocessor (a 3870) is custom-made for the unit, a replacement could be very difficult to find. Early versions were plagued by static damage problems. The A version is more immune but both should be treated carefully with respect to static. It is not uncommon to find these keyers with factory repair labels on the bottom.
The SA-5010 had a number of minor glitches including being bothered by stray RF from the transmitter. This could cause the unit to send random dots or dashes. Most of these problems were cleaned up in the SA-5010A. Units are occasionally seen with home brew paddles. The paddles are removable and can be stored in a tray that pulls out of the back. The SA-5010 has a beige case. The A version is brown. Be sure to ask “does it work?”
OPERATING NOTES
* The keyer will turn off automatically after about 15 minutes of nonuse.
* When the keyer is turned on, the sidetone will sound for an extended period if either the WPM or spacing is set under 10.
* A DC power supply can be connected without regard to polarity.
* If a paddle’s sensitivity is set too far clockwise, a continuous string of dots or dashes will be generated.
* The paddles become more sensitive when the keyer is connected to a transmitter. This is caused by the SA-5010 being grounded through the keyline output.
* The NORM led will dim when numeric keys are pressed.
* The paddles will always power up as the unit has been wired; that is, either right or left handed. This function can be reversed from the keypad, but the change is not stored and will revert when the power is tuned off.
* If external paddles are connected, they will not be affected by the right- or left-handed wiring, but the paddle invert command will have the same effect on the external paddles.
* When the keyer is operating in the LOAD command mode, the paddles are disabled.
* When the keyer is operating in the load message mode, the keypad is disabled except for the [OFF], [P/C] and [STOP] keys.
* The paddles operate when you add the stray capacitance from your body between the paddles and the keyer. Due to the small size of the keyer there is little stray capacitance between its case and ground. Therefore, to provide a return path for your body capacitance and ensure paddle operation, it may be necessary to connect the keyer to a transmitter, or simply lay your free hand across the keypad when using the keyer without a transmitter.
* Stray RF may cause the keyer to generate random dots and dashes while the transmitter is operating. This may be prevented by making sure that all equipment is grounded to a common point. In extreme cases it may be necessary to rest you hand on a metal plate which has been positioned under the keyer. This plate should also be grounded at the same common point as the keyer.
SELF DIAGNOSTICS
Each time you turn the keyed on, a checksum is performed on the contents of the program in ROM. If this test fails, a steady tone will sound and all the of the LEDs will light.
When you turn the keyer on for the first time following a battery replacement, a test is run by the keyer on the RAM. If this test is successful, the keyer is reset to default operating parameters: the speed and spacing are set to 20 WPM, the weight is set to normal, the repeat count is set to zero, and all the buffers are cleared. If a bad cell is found, a steady tone will sound and all the of the LEDs will light.
RESETTING THE KEYER
When you press the [P/C] and [STOP] keys simultaneously, the diagnostics for both ROM and RAM are performed. All the buffers will be cleared and operating parameters reset as described above. Note: the [P/C] and [STOP] keys must be held down long enough for them to be recognized as a pair.
EXTERNAL PADDLE
An external paddle can be connected to the 3-pin connector on the rear panel. The center pin is common. Heath did not specify which of the other two were dot and dash, saying only that if your paddle worked backwards, the two wires should be reversed.
References:
Review. QST. May 1982, p. 41.
Modifications. QST. Jul 1982, p. 39.
Shorting fix. QST. Jun 1984, p. 41.
Avoiding static damage. QST. Sep 1989, p. 37.
Speed range: 1 to 99 WPM
Spacing: less than or equal to speed
Number of buffers: 1 to 10, used to store commands or text strings
Buffer size: 240 characters and/or commands
Weighting: normal, plus five light, and five heavy
Auto message repeat: 0 to 9 (send one to ten times)
Keyer output (solid state): +250 volts at 100 mA; –200 volts at 40 mA
Memory backup: three miniature cells (Eveready A76 or equivalent)
Sidetone pitch: adjustable from about 300 to 1500 Hz
Speed algorithm: WPM = 2.4 x dots per second
Operating temperature range: 32 to 104 F
Power requirements: 11-16 VDC at 200 mA (polarity not critical) or 8.5 VAC at 1 amp.
Photos, general information and specifications from "Heathkit: A Guide to the Amateur Radio Products," by Chuck Penson, WA7ZZE. Used with permission.
