Curtis EK-39, EK-39M

Object/Artifact

-

Radio Alpha

Image: Joe Veras, K9OCO

Image: Joe Veras, K9OCO

Name/Title

Curtis EK-39, EK-39M

Description

Electronic Keyer

Category

Keys, Electronic

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Curtis Electro Devices

Date made

1970 - 1971

Valuations

Value

$180.00

General Notes

Note

Ham Radio, Jun 1970, p. 27. Ham Radio, Dec 1970, p. 66. The Curtis EK-39 “Electronic Fist” iambic keyer had an internal AC supply and self-completing dots and dashes. A rear-panel switch selected either transistor- or reed-relay keying. An “M” version had a message memory in the form of a factory-programmed ROM IC. In December 1970 announced an advanced integrated-circuit keyer that incorporates an automatic identification message generator in addition to the basic Electronic-Fist circuitry. In this new keyer, called the Mnemonic, a custom IC ROM provides permanent memory to generate repetitive calls, especiallu useful in contest operations. For example, the operator might select any one of the three sequences below from a single ROM : 1 . C Q C Q D E W l D T Y K 2. CQ F D CQ F D D E W l D T Y K 3. D E W1 D T Y K Three auto-stop selections allow continuous cycling or a choice of two stopping points. The message can be transmitted once, continuously, or every ten seconds. In the manual mode the keyer provides 8 to 50-wpm paddle or squeeze keying with dot memory, independent weight control and iambic character generation. A tap on the straight key of a Brown Brothers CTL combination key (or external push button ) initiates the automatic program at the exact speed and weight used by the operator in the manual mode. At 20 wpm a full message sequence takes 15 seconds. The sequence terminates either automatically or by a tap on the dash paddle. The Mnemonic keyer will operate both grid-block and cathode keyed transmitters. Power supply, CW monitor and speaker are built-in. References Brief description. Ham Radio, Aug 1970, p. 76.