MFJ MFJ-492 User manual

MFJ-492
Menu Driven Memory Keyer™
Manual

1
The MFJ-492 Menu Driven Memory Keyer™ is a full featured keyer with an easy to use menu driven inter-
fa e. This unit has four soft se tored message memories for a total of 192 hara ters. The MFJ-492X Menu
Driven Memory Keyer. is the same keyer but has message memory expanded to 8 separate 1000 hara ter
message memories, giving the unit the "X" designation. The keyer an repeat messages ontinuously, insert
timed pauses within messages, insert an auto-in rementing serial number, and have messages all other
messages.
The MFJ-492 has adjustable ontrols for speed and volume on the front of the unit. Also, the speed, weight,
and sidetone frequen y are adjustable through menu sele tion or paddle ommand. Other modes su h as
Hand Key, Semi-auto, Reverse Paddle, Iambi On/Off, Iambi A/B, Queue, are a essed through menu sele -
tion or paddle ommand. The MFJ492 has both Dire t and Grid-Blo k outputs and a port for an optional re-
mote ontrol.
FEATURES
Memories:
Four soft se tored message memories for a total of 192 hara ters (MFJ-492) or eight memories of 1000
hara ters ea h (MFJ-492X).
Morse Code Trainer:
Random ode generator with 5 hara ter or random 1-8 hara ter length words. Random hara ters are se-
le table from alphabeti , numeri , or pun tuation sets or spe ifi 6 hara ter sets.
Embedded Commands:
Auto-in rementing serial numbers, Timed pauses up to 99 minutes 99 se onds, Message loop, Linked mes-
sages, 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 frequen y.
Output Tune Mode:
Constant key to tune tuners or antennas.
Key Output Disable:
Enable and disable key output to pra ti e operation.
Keying Modes
Iambi On/Off, Iambi A or Iambi B, Hand Key (straight key), Semi Auto (bug), and Reverse Paddle modes
are user sele table.
Positive or Negative Key Output:
Supports both positive and negative keyed radios.
Transmitter Compensation:
Adjustable key down delays to ompensate for transmitter rise-time delays.

2
CONNECTIONS
The MFJ-492 Menu Driven Memory Keyer™ requires a 12 VDC 250 milliamp power supply. The power ja k
a epts a 2.1mm oaxial plug with the enter ondu tor positive. An optional DC supply, the MFJ-1312B, is
available from MFJ. Conne t your MFJ-1312B Power Adapter or ompatible DC supply ( oaxial line with
shield ground) into the power ja k on the MFJ-492.
This unit supports both positive and negative keyed radios. Conne t a standard shielded RCA able between
your radio key input and to the MFJ-492's Dire t output for positive keyed radios (most solid state radios) or
to the Grid-Blo k output for negative keyed radios (most radios with tube finals).
A paddle onne ts to the stereo phone ja k with a shielded able through the ba k of the unit. Conne t the
dot wire of the paddle to the ring on the plug and the dash wire to the enter ondu tor. The shield on the
plug should be atta hed to the paddle ground.
The last port in the ba k of the unit is for the optional remote ontrol. The remote ontrol gives you remote
a ess to the keyer menu if the main unit is out of rea h. It is simply plugged into the onne tor through
the ba k plate.
BASIC OPERATION
The Menu Driven Memory Keyer™ is simple to operate. The push-button marked PWR ontrols power to the
unit. After turning the unit on, the keyer will light the four LEDs sequentially and send the hara ters "O"
and "N" in Morse Code using the sidetone speaker. This tells you the MFJ-492 is ready for operation.
Start sending with the paddle. Adjust the volume and speed to your preferen e. 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.
Fa tory Reset
To reset the keyer to default settings, the MENU key is held down through power-up. This resets all settings
to the fa tory default:
All memory messages are leared. Speed set to 20 WPM.
Weight set to 50% duty y le. Sidetone frequen y set to 2000 Hz.
Iambi A mode sele ted. Queue mode off.
Break mode off. Output enabled.
If the keyer is turned on in the normal mode (without the MENU key held down), then the keyer will retain
all settings prior to power down.
The MFJ-492 menu system onsists of a menu button marked MENU, five fun tion buttons marked F1-F5,
and four menu LEDs marked A-D. Pressing the MENU key hanges the menu level. The keyer will sound an
audible key li k and light the Menu LED of the new level. The row of boxes beside that LED now ontains
the fun tions of keys F1-F5.

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For example, to enable the Tune (key down) fun tion, look for the box marked Output Tune on the front pa-
nel. It is found on Row B under the olumn F5. Press the MENU key until the LED marked Blights up. Then
press the F5 key. The keyer will respond by entering the Tune mode. Squeeze the paddles to exit that mo-
de.
MFJ-492X Menu Operat on
The MFJ-492X, a MFJ-492 with expansion RAM, works a little differently than a normal unit. On a MFJ-492X,
Menu Ahas a LED that is lit either red or green. The red LED indi ates the normal ompliment of memories
(1-4). The green LED indi ates that there is an extra bank of memories (5-8) available. Memories are set or
played the same way and F5 remains Serial Number De rement on both levels.
Menu A
Message Memory
To play or save to a message memory, sele t Menu A. To save a message to memory, press and hold the
fun tion key until the keyer plays "GO" in Morse ode. You may now key in the message of your hoi e. 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 re ognize your ode as a valid hara ter, the keyer will play a series of 8
dots and that hara ter will not be saved. If you make a mistake entering a word, you an ba k up over it by
keying in 8 ontinuous 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 fun tion key again to end
your message. The keyer will respond by sending an end of message hara ter (+). If you try to save more
hara ters than you have memory, the keyer will automati ally end your message, send you an end of mes-
sage hara ter and lo k any unused messages. To play a message, press and release a fun tion key qui kly.
Embedded commands:
While in the save message mode you may use embedded ommands for spe ial features. To use an embed-
ded ommand simply store the two hara ter, embedded ommand ode 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 automati ally in remented ea h time it is sent. To de rement the serial number, press the
serial number De rement menu button. A new serial number an be saved by using the serial num-
ber store menu feature. Example: YOU ARE CONTACT NR /N
/L Create a message loop. ( Message Repeat ) Example: BEACON AA5CS 5 W /L
/P Inserts a timed pause into a message. This ommand is followed by 4 numbers in xx minutes xx se-
onds 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
/# Inserts memory message number # into message (Message Call). This ommand allows you to in-
lude any other message into another message. A message may not all any other message that
ontains an embedded message all. 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 spa e.
// To store a / in a message you must use the embedded ommand //.
Commands an be ombined into messages:
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

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Ser al Number Decrement
Use Serial Number De rement to de rement the urrent serial number by one. The unit will e ho a "D" for
every number that is de remented. If you de rement down from zero you will get 9999 for your serial num-
ber. When a message plays 9999 the serial number will then in rement to zero whi h does not play.
Menu B
Command Mode
The first fun tion on Menu B is the enter paddle ommand mode. After you push the fun tion button F1 the
keyer will respond with "CO". Now a two hara ter ommand an be entered on your paddle. If the instru -
tion is invalid then the keyer will send 8 rapid dots (error) and return the keyer to normal mode. If the user
wishes to re-attempt modifying features using ommand mode, he must re-enter ommand mode by pres-
sing F1 again.
All of the menu ommands an also be a essed through the Command Mode using the two hara ter short-
hand found on the front panel. However, some features are not on the menu. A summary of those om-
mands and a brief des ription of ea h feature follows:
Command Mode Commands
BK Use Break On/Off to toggle between break mode on and off. The keyer responds with the urrent
mode "ON" or "OFF". Break mode allows you to insert ode into a message that is playing. Press a
dot or dash to break into a message. The keyer will stop the urrent memory message. Begin sen-
ding ode. After you finish sending ode, press any message button to resume playing the message
where you interrupted it. Press Menu to lear a message.
C# Where #=0-9. Use hara ter break to ustomize the length of the inter hara ter spa ing. A standard
hara ter break is 3 dot lengths long. The number following the C is the number of extra dot lengths
added to a hara ter break.
FA Use Farnsworth mode to toggle between Farnsworth mode on and off. Farnsworth mode works with
the random ode generator. It sets the ode hara ter speed to 18 words per minute while keeping
the overall word speed at the defined setting. If the keyer is set to 5 WPM in Farnsworth mode, the
keyer will send 18 WPM hara ters while inserting extra word break and inter hara ter timing to
maintain an effe tive speed of 5 WPM. At speeds above 18 WPM the keyer reverts to normal timing.
This feature allows a user to asso iate Morse hara ters with their sound rather than by ounting
dots and dashes.
KC## ##=00-15 sets a keying ompensation value. Some radios have a key delay of 5 mS or more. By
entering KC05, the keyer will add 5 mS to the dots and dashes. This eliminates the problems with a
keying delay.
R# Where #=1-8. Use Random Number to ustomize the Random Code Generator. The keyer will play
"OK" after your ommand has been entered.
R1: Enable either 5 hara ter word length or random (1-8 hara ter) word length.
R2: Toggle random numeri hara ters on and off.
R3: Toggle random pun tuation hara ters on and off.
R4: Toggle random prosign hara ters on and off.
R5: Toggle random alphabeti hara ters on and off.
R6: Enable either fixed hara ter sets (01 - 09) or enabled sets (R2 - R5). See ## ommand.
R7: Enable either repeat ode session or new ode session.
W# Where #=0-9. Use word break to ustomize the length of the interword spa ing. A standard word
break is 7 dot lengths long. The number following the W is the number of extra dot lengths added
to a word break. Keyer e hos "OK" upon entry.

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## ## = 00 - 09. Sele t one of the six hara ter sets for the random ode generation. Keyer e hos
"OK" upon entry.
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
.
?
"
$
'
§
_
+
,
-
=
:
;
(
)
/
Sta
Inv
Speed Set (SP)
Use Speed Set (wpm) mode to hange the speed of ode . An alternating dot/dash is produ ed and the
speed is modified by using the paddles to in rease/de rease speed. Squeeze paddles to exit.
We ght Set (WT)
Use Weight Set to modify the weight settings for ode. An alternating dot/dash is produ ed and the weight
of the ode is modified by using the paddles to in rease/de rease weight. Squeeze paddles to exit.
S detone Set (HZ)
Use Sidetone Set to hange the sidetone speaker frequen y. The paddles now hange the tone of the sideto-
ne that is emitted from the speaker. This will not hange the frequen y of the ode transmission be ause the
keyer does not affe t the tone that a radio emits. Squeeze paddles to exit.
Output Tune (TU)
Use Output Tune to tune up your station. This sends a onstant key to allow tuning of your station. Squeeze
paddles to exit.
MENU C
Sem -Auto On/Off (SA)
Use Semi-auto On/Off to toggle between semi-auto (bug) mode on and off. The keyer responds with the
urrent mode "ON" or "OFF". Semi-auto mode reates automati dots but requires dashes to be hand keyed.
Note: Semi-Auto mode may not be used to enter messages, serial numbers or in ommand mode.
Iamb c On/Off (IA)
Use Iambi On/Off to toggle between iambi modes on and off. The keyer responds with the urrent mode
"ON" or "OFF". Iambi mode allows you to squeeze both paddles and get alternating dashes or dots. Noni-
ambi mode does not alternate between dots and dashes during a squeeze. It plays whatever side made
onta t first until it is released. See Iambi A or B.
Queue On/Off (QU)
Use Queue On/Off to toggle between queue mode on and off. The keyer responds with the urrent mode
"ON" or "OFF". Queue mode enables the user to load messages into a buffer to play messages sequentially.
In queue mode, if you press a memory button while a message is playing, that message will play after the
urrent message is done. In normal operation pressing a message memory will abort any message being
played and play the new message.
S detone On/Off (ST)
Use Sidetone On/Off to toggle between sidetone speaker on and off. The keyer responds with the urrent
mode "ON" or "OFF". If the sidetone is turned off, it will still play ommand messages and status informa-
tion.
Output On/Off (TX)
Use Output On/Off to toggle between output on and off. The keyer responds with the urrent mode "ON" or
"OFF". If the output is turned off, no signal goes to the keyer gridblo k or dire t outputs to allow for pra ti e
operation. The output is automati ally disabled during memory message storing, ommand mode operation,
status information, and keyer setup.

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Menu D
Ser al No. Store (SN)
Use Serial Number Store to set the urrent serial number. You must enter four numbers in Morse ode for a
valid serial number. All numbers must be in the proper Morse ode format. For example, the number "1"
must be "·----" and the number "0" must be "-----". The serial number an be set from 0000 to 9999.
See /N under Embedded Commands. See also Serial Number De rement.
Iamb c A or B (IX)
Use Iambi A or B to toggle between Iambi A and Iambi B. The keyer responds with the urrent mode "A"
or "B". The Iambi modes work when you squeeze both paddles together. See Iambi On/Off. In Iambi B
mode the keyer plays the alternating element after the paddles are released during an element. Iambi A
mode does not produ e an alternating element when the paddles are released during an element. For exam-
ple, a release during the dash produ es "·-" or "A" in Iambi A mode but produ es "·-·" or "R" in Iambi B
mode.
Paddle Reverse (RV)
Use Paddle Reverse to hange the dot/dash paddle assignments. The keyer responds with "RV" and hanges
the dot paddle to dash and the dash paddle to dot.
Hand Key (HK)
Use Hand Key to use your paddle as a hand (straight) key. The keyer responds with "HK". Dots and dashes
are made manually by using either key of the paddle. Squeeze paddles to exit.
Random Code (RC)
Use Random Code to start the random ode generator. Set up the Random Code generator using the Com-
mand Mode. Use FA, R1-8 and the set sele tion numbers to ustomize your ode tutor to sele t exa tly what
you need to study. Squeeze paddles to exit.
TYPICAL SETTINGS FOR A CONTEST
This is an example of some typi al settings for a ontest. Ea h ontest has different rules for ex hanges et .
and you may have a different method of ontesting. This is an example of one ontester's settings.
Memory #1: CQ TEST DE W8JI W8JI W8JI TEST
Memory #2: TEST W8J1 W8JI
Memory #3: UR 599 SN /N OH 599 SN /N OH DE W8JI
Memory #4: R 73 TEST W8JI
Memory #1 is set for CQ at slow periods or at the end of a ontest when most stations have already been
worked.
Memory #2 is set for busy times when onta ts are plentiful. Ea h of these memories are set with simple to
the point messages. A listener will immediately know who is alling and what they want. The all is repeated
after a short CQ TEST so that someone will not spend mu h time listening to stations they have already wor-
ked.
Memory #3 is set with the ontest ex hange. It gives a serial number and other ontest information. Re-
member all ontests require different ex hanges.
Memory #4 is set to lose a QSO and announ e that you are ready to for another onta t.
TYPICAL CODE PRACTICE SETTINGS
This is an example of a typi al ode pra ti e session. Work first on the letters A-F. You an do all our pra ti e
in Farnsworth mode so that you will learn the sound of ea h hara ter at a high speed. Enter Command Mo-
de and key in 'FA'. This enters Farnsworth mode.
Now fix the ode generator to the 6 hara ter sets by entering R6. Enter '01' in the Command Mode to hoo-
se the A-F hara ter set. The default settings are set to fixed 5 hara ter length and repeat session. Now ad-

7
just the speed with the speed set feature. Remember you are in Farnsworth mode so you an only adjust
word spa ing. All hara ter speed is set to 18 words per minute. Get ready to opy. Press the Random Code
Fun tion key and take ode for a ouple minutes. When you get to a stopping point squeeze the paddles to-
gether to end the session.
Restart the session again by pressing the Random Code Fun tion key. The ode session will start again and
you should be able to he k your opy. The same ode session will repeat until you turn off the power or
toggle the R8 ommand in the Command Mode.
After you have pra ti ed the A-F set you an move to the next set by entering 02 - 08 in the ommand mo-
de.
BATTERY REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
The lithium ell on this keyer should last 2 years or more. The battery an be tested by removing the over
and turning the unit ON. Test the voltage of the battery from the battery (+) to the hassis (–). The voltage
tested should be over 2.7 volts or the battery should be repla ed. To repla e the battery the unit must be
powered ON. The battery is arefully removed and a new one arefully inserted.
MEMORY EXPANSION
To expand an MFJ-492 to 8×1000 hara ter message memories, you an order the MFJ-80 Expansion Ram
kit from MFJ or upgrade the keyer yourself with an HM6264ALP-10 or equivalent stati ram hip. First remo-
ve power and the lithium battery. Install the hip mat hing the not h printed on the ir uit board. Turn the
unit ON with the Menu key held down and reinstall the lithium battery.

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COMMAND MODE QUICK REFERENCE
COMMAND DESCRIPTION
BK TOGGLES BREAK IN MODE ON/OFF
C# # = 0-9 SELECTS CHARACTER BREAK LENGTH
FA TOGGLES FARNSWORTH MODE ON/OFF
HK ENABLES HAND KEY (STRAIGHT KEY) MODE
HZ ENABLES SIDETONE FREQUENCY SET MODE
IA TOGGLES IAMBIC MODE ON/OFF
IX TOGGLES IAMBIC MODES A/B
KC## ## = 00-15 SELECTS KEYING COMPENSATION VALUE
QU TOGGLES MESSAGE QUEUE MODE ON/OFF
RA ENABLES RANDOM CODE MODE
RV TOGGLES DOT/DASH PADDLE ASSIGNMENTS
R# # = 1-8 SELECTS RANDOM CODE MODES
SA ENABLES SEMI-AUTOMATIC (BUG) MODE
SN ENABLES SERIAL NUMBER STORE MODE
SP ENABLES SPEED (WPM) SET MODE
ST TOGGLES SIDETONE ON/OFF
TU ENABLES TUNE (KEY UP) MODE
TX TOGGLES OUTPUT KEY ON/OFF
WT ENABLES WEIGHT SET MODE
W# # = 0-9 SELECTS WORD BREAK LENGTH
## ## = 01-09 SELECTS RANDOM CODE 6 CHARACTER SETS
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
If you have any problem with this unit first he k the appropriate se tion of this manual. If the manual does
not referen e your problem or your problem is not solved by following the manual you may all MFJ toll-free
at 1-800-647-TECH (8324) or FAX to 601-323-6551, or TELEX 53 4590 MFJ STKV. Outside of the ontinental
U.S.A. 601-323-5869. You will be best served if you have your unit, manual and all information on your sta-
tion handy so you an answer any questions the te hni ians may ask.
You an also send questions to MFJ Enterprises, INC., P.O. Box 494, Mississippi State, MS 39762. Send a
omplete des ription of your problem, an explanation of exa tly how you are using your unit and a omplete
des ription of your station.

9
MFJ-492 PARTS LIST
Part Number Designation
C1, C2 CAPACITOR, MULTILAYER CER., 5 %, 50 V, 33 pF
C3, C5, C6, C12, C13, C16 CAPACITOR, DISC CERAMIC, 1 kV, 20 %, .01 µF
C4, C18 CAPACITOR, ELECTROLYTIC, RADIAL, 50 V, 1 µF
C7 CAPACITOR, ELECTROLYTIC, RADIAL, 35 V, 2.2 µF
C8, C9, C10, C19 CAPACITOR, MULTILAYER, .2, X7R, 10 %, 50 V, .1 µF
C14 CAPACITOR, DISC CERAMIC, 1 kV, 20 %, .1 µF
C15 CAPACITOR, ELECTROLYTIC, RADIAL, 35 V, 47 µF
C17, C20, C21, C22, C24 CAPACITOR, DISC CERAMIC, 1 kV, 20 %, .01 µF
CR1 LED, DUAL COLOR
CR2, CR3, CR4 LED, RED, MV5753
R1 RESISTOR, NETWORK, COMMON, 10 kΩ
R2, R12 RESISTOR, ¼ WATT, 5 %, FILM, 100 kΩ
R3, R17 RESISTOR, ¼ WATT, 5 %, FILM, 1 kΩ
R4 RESISTOR, POT, LINEAR TAPER, 1 kΩ
R6 RESISTOR, ¼ WATT, 5 %, FILM, 100 Ω
R7 RESISTOR, ¼ WATT, 5 %, FILM, 15 Ω
R8 RESISTOR, POT, LINEAR TAPER, 10%, 250 Ω
R10 RESISTOR, ¼ WATT, 5 %, FILM, 1.5 kΩ
R11 RESISTOR, ¼ WATT, 5 %, FILM, 20 kΩ
R13, R14, R15, R9 RESISTOR, ¼ WATT, 5 %, FILM, 10 kΩ
R16 RESISTOR, ¼ WATT, 5 %, FILM, 470 Ω
Q1 TRANSISTOR, DARLINGTON, TO-92, NPN, MPS-A13
Q2, Q5 TRANSISTOR, TO-92, NPN, MOT 2N3904
Q3 TRANSISTOR, TO-92, PNP, MPS-A92
Q4 TRANSISTOR, SWITCHING, VN10KM
Y1 CRYSTAL, HC18/U, 16 MHz
D1, D4 DIODE, ZENER, 1N5225B
D2, D3, D5, D7, D8 DIODE, RECTIFIER, 1N4006
D6 DIODE, SWITCHING, 1N4148
IC1 IC, CPU, 8-BIT, INTEL, P80C32-1
IC2 IC, TRI-STATE OCTAL LATCH, 74HCT373
IC3 IC, EPROM, 28 PIN, 64K, 27C64
IC4 VOLTAGE REGULATOR, TO-92, 78L05AC
IC6 IC, 8 BIT SHIFT REGISTER, 74HC164
J1 JACK, ¼" PHONE, STEREO
J3 JACK, 2.1 mm, DC COAXIAL JACK
J4, J5 JACK, RCA PHONO
SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5 SWITCH, PUSH BUTTON, SPST
SW6 SWITCH, PUSH BUTTON
SW7 SWITCH, PUSH-BOTTON 2P2P
BATTERY, COIN, 3 V, LITHUM
HOLDER, BATTERY, LITHUM
BATTERY, HOLDER, 9 V
BATTERY, SNAP, 9 V
SPEAKER, 8 Ω