MFJ MFJ-490, MFJ-490X User Manual

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MFJ-490/490X Menu Driven Memory Keyer

MFJ-490/490X Menu Driven Memory Keyer

FEATURES

Memories:

Four soft sectored message memories for a total of 192 characters

Morse Code Trainer:

Random code generator with 5 character or random 1-8 character length words.
characters are selectable from alphabetic, numeric, or punctuation sets or specific 6 character sets.

Embedded Commands:

Auto-incrementing serial numbers, Timed pauses up to 99 minutes 99 seconds, Message loop, Linked
messages, Message insertion.

Adjustable Parameters:

Code speed is variable from 5 to 100 WPM, weight varies from 5 to 95 %.

Parameter Save:

Message memory and keyer parameters saved in nonvolatile memory.

Sidetone Speaker:

Internal sidetone speaker with adjustable volume and frequency.

Output Tune Mode:

Constant key to tune tuners or antennas

Key Output Disable:

Enable and disable key output to practice operation.

Keying Modes

Iambic On/Off, Iambic A or Iambic B, Hand Key (straight key), Semi Auto (bug), and Reverse
Paddle modes are user selectable.

Positive or Negative Key Output:

Supports both positive and negative keyed radios.

Transmitter Compensation:

Adjustable key down delays to compensate for transmitter rise-time delays.

CONNECTIONS

TM

The MFJ-490/490X Menu Driven Memory KeyerTM requires a 12 VDC 250 milliamp power supply.
power jack accepts a 2.1 mm coaxial plug with the center conductor positive. An optional DC
MFJ-1312B, is available from MFJ. Connect your MFJ-1312B Power Adapter or
(coaxial line with shield ground) into the power jack on the MFJ -490.

This unit can also be powered with a nine volt battery. See the section on battery installation.

The MFJ-490/490X supports both positive and negative keyed radios but is set to work as a Direct
output (most solid state radios). If your radio has a Grid Block
you must change a jumper setting. Refer to the section on installation for the jumper change. Connect
standard shielded RCA cable between your radio key input and the MFJ -490's output.

MFJ-490/490X Menu Driven Memory Keyer

key input you must change a jumper inside the keyer. A header is located in

two

bottom of

Iambic Paddle

should

The wires should

ower to

characters

ready for

INSTALLATION

If you purchased a MFJ -490X (keyer without paddle) you must install it onto your paddle. Follow these
instructions for installing a MFJ -490X onto a MFJ-564 or Bencher type paddle.

1. Remove any cables from the paddle. Do not apply power to unit while it is disassembled.

2. Remove the rubber foot from the bottom rear of the paddle. When you replace the screw from the
foot, use one of the screws supplied in the installation kit.

3. Remove the plastic cable clamp from the bottom center of the paddle.

4. If you wish to use a nine volt battery, install one now. A nine volt battery fits in the bracket
sideways over the circuit board. MFJ suggests the use of a good long-life alkaline battery for
longest operation.

5. If your radio uses Grid Block
the rear of the unit between the CPU and the RCA jack. The jumper should be moved to the
rightmost pins (closest the RCA jack).

6. Slide the MFJ-490X on to the back of the paddle. Thread the cable through the slot on the left
the MFJ-490X. Secure the case with the bumper and new screw. The MFJ -564
has 4 additional holes to better secure the case to the paddle.

7. Connect the cable shield to the middle rear terminal on the bottom of the paddle. The red wire
connect to the dash solder lug. The white wire should connect to the dot soldier lug.
be as short as possible to minimize RFI.

8. Place the cable in the plastic cable clamp and secure the screw. Fold any excess cable up into the unit.

BASIC OPERATION

The Menu Driven Memory KeyerTM is simple to operate. The push-button marked PWR controls p
the unit. After turning the unit on, the keyer will light the four LEDs sequentially and send the
"0" and "N" in Morse Code using the sidetone speaker. This tells you the MFJ-490X is
operation.

Start sending with the paddle. Adjust the volume and speed to your preference. If the speed is still too fast
or too slow, adjust the range of the speed knob using the Speed Set feature. See Menu Operation.

Factory Reset

To reset the keyer to default settings, the MENU key is held down through power-up. This resets all
settings to the factory default:

All memory messages are cleared. Speed set to 20 WPM.
Weight set to 50% duty cycle. Sidetone frequency set to 2000 Hz.
Iambic A mode selected. Queue mode off.
Break mode off. Output enabled.

If the keyer is turned on in the normal mode (without the MENU key held down), it will retain all settings prior
to power down.

MENU OPERATION

MFJ-490/49OX

The J-490/490X menu system consists of a
menu button marked MENU, five function
buttons marked F1-F5, and four menu LEDs
marked A-D. Pressing the MENU key changes the
menu level. The keyer will sound an audible key
click and light the Menu LED of the new level. The
row of boxes beside that LED now contains the

functions of keys FlF5.

For example, to enable the Tune (key down)
function, look for the box marked Output Tune on
the front panel. It is found on Row B under the
column F5. Press the MENU key until the LED
marked B lights up. Then press the F5 key. The
keyer will respond by entering the Tune mode.
Squeeze the paddles to exit that mode.

Menu Driven Memory Keyer

Menu A
Message Memory _

To play or save to a message memory, select Menu
A. To save a message to memory, press

and hold the function key until the keyer plays "GO" in Morse code. You may now key in the message of
your choice. As you pause after every word, the keyer will play a "W" over the sidetone speaker to show
that it is inserting a word break. If the keyer does not recognize your code as a valid character, the keyer will
play a series of 8 dots and that character will not be saved. If you make a mistake entering a word, you can back
up over it by keying in 8 continuous dots. The keyer will erase the previous word, then play the word before
it (if any) to let you know where you stopped. At the end of your message hit the memory function key again
to end your message. The keyer will respond by sending an end of message character (+). If you try to save more
characters than you have memory, the keyer will automatically end your message, send you an end of
message character and lock any unused messages. To play a message, press and release a function key
quickly.

Embedded commands:

While in the save message mode you may use embedded commands for special features. To use an embedded
command simply store the two character, embedded command code within your message.

/N Inserts a serial number into a message. All nines are sent as "N" and zeros are sent as "T". A

serial number is automatically incremented each time it is sent. To decrement the serial number,
press the serial number Decrement menu button. A new serial number can be saved by using the
serial number store menu feature.
Example: YOU ARE CONTACT NR IN

/L Create a message loop. ( Message Repeat )

Example: BEACON AA5MT 5 W /L

F1 the

paddle. If

ormal mode. If

enter command mode by

All of the menu commands can also be accessed through the Command Mode using the two character

ront panel. However, some features are not on the menu. A summary of those

current

de "ON" or "OFF". Break mode allows you to insert code into a message that is playing. Press a

message. Begin sending

resume playing the message where

A standard

extra dot lengths

MFJ-490/49OX

Menu Driven Memory Keyer

/P Inserts a timed pause into a message. This command is followed by 4 numbers in xx minutes xx

seconds format. May be in either / Pxxxx or /Pxxxx format.
Example: TIMEOUT 1 HOUR /P6000 TIMEOUT 1.5 MIN / P0090 TIMEOUT 1 H 40 MIN 39 S
/ P9999

/# # = 1, 2, 3, 4 Insert's memory message number # into message. (Message Call) This command allows

you to include any other message into another message. A message may not call any other message
that contains an embedded message call If no message is saved for that number nothing will play at
the /#.

Example: message 1: CQ CQ CQ CQ

message 2: /1 DE KB5VKY

Sending message 2 plays CQ CQ CQ DE KB5VKY /S

Can be added into messages to insert an extra word space.

// To store a / in a message you must use the embedded command //.

Commands can be combined into message s:

FOXHUNT DE AA5MT /S /S /S BEACON WILL REPEAT 5 MIN DE TRANSMISSION NR /N
/S /S /S CATCH ME IF YOU CAN /P 0500 /L

Serial Number Decrement

Use Serial Number Decrement to decrement the current serial number by one. The unit will echo a "D" for
every number that is decremented. If you decrement down from zero you will get 9999 for your serial number.
When a message plays 9999 the serial number will then increment to zero which does

not play.

Menu B
Command Mode

The first function on Menu B is the enter paddle command mode. After you push the function button
keyer will respond with "CO". Now a two or four character command can be entered on your
the instruction is invalid then the keyer will send 8 rapid dots (error) and return the keyer to n
the user wishes to re-attempt modifying features using command mode, he must re
pressing F1 again.

shorthand found on the f
commands and a brief description of each feature follows:

Command Mode Commands

BK Use Break On/Off to toggle between break mode on and off. The keyer responds with the

mo
dot or dash to break into a message. The keyer will stop the current memory
code. After you finish sending code, press any message button to
you interrupted it. Press Menu to clear a message.

C# Where #=0-9. Use character break to customize the length of the intercharacter spacing.

character break is 3 dot lengths long. The number following the C is the number of
added to a character break.