VEC-201K Owner's Manual CW Keyer Kit
CW - Keyer
VEC-201
VEC-201K Owner's Manual CW Keyer Kit
IMPORTANT WARRANTY INFORMATION! PLEASE READ
Return Policy on Kits When Not Purchased Directly From Vectronics: Before continuing any
further with your VEC kit check with your Dealer about their return policy. If your Dealer allows
returns, your kit must be returned before you begin construction.
Return Policy on Kits When Purchased Directly From Vectronics: Your VEC kit may be re-
turned to the factory in its pre-assembled condition only. The reason for this stipulation is, once
you begin installing and soldering parts, you essentially take over the role of the device's manufac-
turer. From this point on, neither Vectronics nor its dealers can reasonably be held accountable
for the quality or the outcome of your work. Because of this, Vectronics can not accept return of
any kit-in-progress or completed work as a warranty item for any reason whatsoever. If you are a
new or inexperienced kit builder, we urge you to read the manual carefully and determine
whether or not you're ready to take on the job. If you wish to change your mind and return your
kit, you may – but you must do it before you begin construction, and within ten (10) working
days of the time it arrives.
Vectronics Warrants: Your kit contains each item specified in the parts list.
Missing Parts: If you determine, during your pre-construction inventory, that any part is missing,
please contact Vectronics and we'll send the missing item to you free of charge. However, before
you contact Vectronics, please look carefully to confirm you haven't misread the marking on one
of the other items provided with the kit. Also, make certain an alternative part hasn't been substi-
tuted for the item you're missing. If a specific part is no longer available, or if Engineering has de-
termined that an alternative component is more suitable, Vectronics reserves the right to make
substitutions at any time. In most cases, these changes will be clearly noted in an addendum to
the manual.
Defective Parts: Today's electronic parts are physically and electrically resilient, and defective
components are rare. However, if you discover an item during your pre-construction inventory
that's obviously broken or unserviceable, we'll replace it. Just return the part to Vectronics at the
address below accompanied with an explanation. Upon receipt, we'll test it. If it's defective and ap-
pears unused, we'll ship you a new one right away at no charge.
Missing or Defective Parts After You Begin Assembly: Parts and materials lost or damaged
after construction begins are not covered under the terms of this warranty. However, most parts
supplied with VEC kits are relatively inexpensive and Vectronics can replace them for a reason-
able charge. Simply contact the factory with a complete description. We'll process your order
quickly and get you back on track.
Factory Repair After You Begin Assembly: Kits-in progress and completed kits are specifically ex-
cluded from coverage by the Vectronics warranty. However, as a service to customers, technicians
are available to evaluate and repair malfunctioning kits for a minimum service fee of $18.00 (½
hour rate) plus $7.00 shipping and handling (prices subject to change). To qualify for repair serv-
ice, your kit must be fully completed, unmodified, and the printed circuit board assembled using
rosin-core solder. In the event your repair will require more than an hour to fix (or $36.00, subject
to change), our technicians will contact you in advance by telephone before performing the work.
Defective units should be shipped prepaid to:
Vectronics
300 Industrial Park Road
Starkville, MS 39759
When shipping, pack your kit well and include the minimum payment plus shipping and handling
charges ($25.00 total). No work can be performed without pre-payment. Also, provide a valid UPS
return address and a day time phone number where you may be reached.
VEC-201K Owner's Manual CW Keyer Kit
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ............................................................................................................... 2
Tools and Supplies ..................................................................................................... 2
Before You Start Building ........................................................................................... 3
Parts List .................................................................................................................... 5
Parts Placement Diagram ........................................................................................... 6
Step-By-Step Assembly ............................................................................................... 6
PC Board Inspection ................................................................................................... 11
Testing and Alignment ................................................................................................ 11
Operating Instructions ............................................................................................... 12
Special Functions ....................................................................................................... 14
In Case Of Difficulty ................................................................................................... 15
Trouble shooting guide ............................................................................................... 15
Theory of Operation and Specifications ....................................................................... 16
Specifications ............................................................................................................. 16
Schematic .................................................................................................................. 17
Enclosure ................................................................................................................... 18
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VEC-201K Owner's Manual CW Keyer Kit
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the world of effortless CW, with the VEC-201K you’ll have a professional sounding fist
in no time! Whether you’re a Novice or seasoned Extra, the VEC-201K CW Keyer Kit has the fea-
tures you’ve been waiting for! Novices will appreciate the preset power-up defaults for plug-and-
play operation. Extra’s will enjoy the advanced features: Weight control from 25 to 75%, Iambic A
and B operation, auto or semi-auto operation, full dot-and-dash memories, and immediate front-
panel speed control from 3 to 65 WPM. The built-in sidetone generator is ideal for CW practice
sessions or for radios lacking a CW sidetone.
The VEC-201K keyer is compatible with any modern transceiver or QRP transmitter using positive
keying. The 50-volt at 100-mA keying permits the use of many early vintage cathode-keyed trans-
mitters. Its small size and battery operation are ideal for QRP or Field Day activities! CW has
never been so enjoyable or effortless!
A state-of-the-art PIC12C67x microprocessor is the heart of the keyer! Learn the basics behind em-
bedded controllers, and how they are revolutionizing the electronics field. The powerful PIC device
permits advanced settings to be entered from the keyer paddles, using Morse characters! The gen-
erously-sized quality glass-epoxy PC board with silk-screened component legends and solder
masking make assembly a snap. Powered by a common 9-volt transistor radio battery, the keyer
is ready for action whenever you are! The microprocessor even senses inactivity, putting the keyer
into a battery conserving sleep mode!
TOOLS AND SUPPLIES
Construction Area: Kit construction requires a clean, smooth, and well-lighted area where you
can easily organize and handle small parts without losing them. An inexpensive sheet of white
poster board makes an excellent construction surface, while providing protection for the underly-
ing table or desk. Well diffused overhead lighting is a plus, and a supplemental high-intensity
desk lamp will prove especially helpful for close-up work. Safety is an important consideration. Be
sure to use a suitable high-temperature stand for your soldering iron, and keep the work area free
of combustible clutter.
Universal Kit-building Tools: Although your particular kit may require additional items to com-
plete, virtually all construction projects require a work area outfitted with the following tools and
supplies:
30 to 60 Watt Soldering Iron
High-temperature Iron Holder with Moist Cleaning Sponge
Rosin-core Solder (thin wire-size preferred)
Needle Nose Pliers or Surgical Hemostats
Diagonal Cutters or "Nippy Cutters"
“Bulb-type” Solder Sucker, Spring-loaded Vacuum Pump or Desoldering Braid
Bright Desk Lamp
Magnifying Glass
Tweezers
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VEC-201K Owner's Manual CW Keyer Kit
BEFORE YOU START BUILDING
There are four common mistakes builders make. Avoid these, and your kit will probably work on
the first try! Here's what they are:
1. Installing the Wrong Part: It always pays to double-check each step. A 1K and a 10K resistor
may look almost the same, but they may act very differently in an electronic circuit! Same for
capacitors – a device marked 102 (or .001 µF) may have very different operating characteristics
from one marked 103 (or .01 µF).
2. Installing Parts Backwards: Always check the polarity of electrolytic capacitors to make sure
the positive (+) lead goes in the (+) hole on the circuit board. Transistors have a flat side or
emitter tab to help you identify the correct mounting position. ICs have a notch or dot at one
end indicating the correct direction of insertion. Diodes have a banded end indicating correct
polarity. Always double-check – especially before applying power to the circuit!
3. Faulty Solder Connections: Inspect for cold-solder joints and solder bridges. Cold solder
joints happen when you don't fully heat the connection – or when metallic corrosion and oxide
contaminate a component lead or pad. Solder bridges form when a trail of excess solder shorts
pads or tracks together (see Solder Tips below).
4. Omitting or Misreading a Part: This is easier to do than you might think! Always double-
check to make sure you completed each step in an assembly sequence.
Soldering Tips: Cleanliness and good heat distribution are the two secrets of professional solder-
ing. Before you install and solder each part, inspect leads or pins for oxidation. If the metal sur-
face is dull, sand with fine emery paper until shiny. Also, clean the oxidation and excess solder
from the soldering iron tip to ensure maximum heat transfer. Allow the tip of your iron to contact
both the lead and pad for about one second (count "one-thousand-one") before feeding solder to
the connection. Surfaces must become hot enough for solder to flow smoothly. Feed solder to the
opposite side of the lead from your iron tip – solder will wick around the lead toward the tip, wet-
ting all exposed surfaces.
Desoldering Tips: If you make a mistake and need to remove a part, follow these instructions
carefully! First, grasp the component with a pair of hemostats or needle-nose pliers. Heat the pad
beneath the lead you intend to extract, and pull gently. The lead should come out. Repeat for the
other lead. Solder may fill in behind the lead as you extract it – especially if you are working on a
double-sided board with plate-through holes. Should this happen, try heating the pad again and
inserting a common pin into the hole. Solder won't stick to the pin's chromium plating. When the
pad cools, remove the pin and insert the correct component. For ICs or multiple-pin parts, use
desoldering braid to remove excess solder before attempting to extract the part. Alternatively, a
low cost vacuum-bulb or spring-loaded solder sucker may be used. Parts damaged or severely
overheated during extraction should be replaced rather than reinstalled.
Work Habits: Kit construction requires the ability to follow detailed instructions and, in many
cases, to perform new and unfamiliar tasks. To avoid making needless mistakes, work for short
periods when you're fresh and alert. Recreational construction projects are more informative and
more fun when you take your time. Enjoy!
Sorting and Reading Resistors: The electrical value of resistors is indicated by a color code
(shown below). You don't have to memorize this code to work with resistors, but you do need to
understand how it works:
Resistor Code
1st Digit
2nd Digit
Multiplier
Tolerence
(gold or silver)
Black
Brown
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
=
0 (tens) Blue
=
1 (hundreds) Violet
=
2 (K) Gray
=
3 (10K) White
=
4 (100K) Silver
=
5 (1Meg) Gold
3
=
=
=
=
=
=
6
7
8
9
10 %
5 %
VEC-201K Owner's Manual CW Keyer Kit
When you look at a resistor, check its multiplier code first. Any resistor with a black multiplier
band falls between 10 and 99 ohms in value. Brown designates a value between 100 and 999
ohms. Red indicates a value from 1000 to 9999 ohms, which is also expressed as 1.0K to 9.9K. An
orange multiplier band designates 10K to 99K, etc. To sort and inventory resistors, first separate
them into groups by multiplier band (make a pile of 10s, 100s, Ks, 10Ks, etc.). Next, sort each
group by specific value (1K, 2.2K, 4.7K, etc.). This procedure makes the inventory easier, and also
makes locating specific parts more convenient later on during construction. Some builders find it
especially helpful to arrange resistors in ascending order along a strip of double-sided tape.
Reading Capacitors: Unlike resistors, capacitors no longer use a color code for value identifica-
tion. Instead, the value, or a 3-number code, is printed on the body.
Value
10 pF
100 pF
1000 pF
.001 µF
.01µF
.1 µF
As with resistors, it's helpful to sort capacitors by type, and then to arrange them in ascending or-
der of value. Small-value capacitors are characterized in pF (or pico-Farads), while larger values
are labeled in µF (or micro-Farads). The transition from pF to µF occurs at 1000 pF (or .001 µF*).
Today, most monolithic and disc-ceramic capacitors are marked with a three-number code. The
first two digits indicate a numerical value, while the last digit indicates a multiplier (same as resis-
tors).
Electrolytic capacitors are always marked in µF. Electrolytics are polarized devices and must be
oriented correctly during installation. If you become confused by markings on the case, remember
the uncut negative lead is slightly shorter than the positive lead.
Diodes: Diodes are also polarized devices that must be installed correctly. Always look for the
banded or cathode end when installing, and follow instructions carefully.
=
=
=
=
=
=
Code
100
101
102
102*
103
104
Transistors: If transistors are installed incorrectly, damage may result when power is applied.
Transistors in metal cases have a small tab near the emitter lead to identify correct positioning.
Semiconductors housed in small plastic cases (TO-92) have an easily-identified flat side to identify
mounting orientation. Many specialized diodes and low-current voltage regulators also use this
type packaging. Larger plastic transistors and voltage regulators use a case backed with a promi-
nent metal tab to dissipate heat (T-220). Here orientation is indicated by the positioning of the
cooling tab.
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VEC-201K Owner's Manual CW Keyer Kit
Integrated Circuits: Proper IC positioning is indicated by a dot or square marking located on one
end of the device. A corresponding mark will be silk-screened on the PC board and printed on the
kit's parts-placement diagram. To identify specific IC pin numbers for testing purposes, see the di-
agram below. Pin numbers always start at the keyed end of the case and progress counterclock-
wise around the device, as shown:
PARTS LIST
Your kit should contain all of the parts listed below. Please go through the parts bag to identify
and inventory each item on the checklist before you start building. If any parts are missing or
damaged, refer to the warranty section of this manual for replacement instructions. If you can't
positively identify an unfamiliar item in the bag on the basis of the information given, set it aside
until all other items are checked off. You may then be able to identify it by process of elimination.
Finally, your kit will go together more smoothly if parts are organized by type and arranged by val-
ue ahead of time. Use this inventory as an opportunity to sort and arrange parts so you can iden-
tify and find them quickly.
Qty Part Description Designation VEC P/N
5
0.1 µF disc ceramic capacitor
(labeled: .1 or 104)
3
10 µF electrolytic capacitor
5
0.01 µF disc ceramic capacitor
(labeled: .01 or 103)
1
220 µF electrolytic capacitor
1
1N4007 rectifier diode
2
3.5 mm stereo jack
1
RCA phono jack
1
2N7000 field-effect transistor
2
10K ohm potentiometer
2
15K ohm resistor
(code: brown-green-orange)
1
470 ohm resistor
(code: yellow-violet-brown)
1
10 ohm resistor
(code: brown-black-black)
2
DPDT push-action switch
1
78L05 5-volt regulator
1
PIC12C671 micro-controller IC
1
LM386 audio amplifier IC
2
8-pin IC sockets
1
9-volt battery clip with cord
1
VEC-201 circuit board
1
4-inch nylon tie wrap
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Owner's Manual
C1, C2, C8, C9, C12
C3, C10, C11
C4, C5, C6, C7, C14
C13
D1
J1, J2
J3
Q1
R1, R5
R2,R3
R4
R6
SW1, SW2
U1
U2
U3
(For U2, U3)
200-3100
270-5100-1
200-2100
270-6220-1
300-4007
601-5005
600-0011
305-7000
153-4100-1
100-4150
100-2470
100-1100
504-0022
307-7805L
328-12671-1
324-0386
625-0008
730-3005
861-VEC201
745-2149
952-VEC201K
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