Monterey K104

Monterey K104
Model no.	K104
FCC ID	FKF456K-104
Branding	Monterey, Mtek
Manufacturer	Monterey
Layouts	Asian 102
Keyswitches	Alps SKCM Blue; Alps SKCM White; Alps.tw Type OA2; Futaba MA series (Cherry MX mount); Mitsumi miniature mechanical; SMK Alps mount
Interface	XT/AT switchable
Weight	1520 g
Introduced	1988 (FCC registration)
Supersedes	Monterey K101

This article requires additional photographic illustration — SMK "Monterey" versions

Monterey K104, also referred to as the Mtek K104, is a keyboard from Monterey. This is reported to be the keyboard that gave SMK Alps mount switches their "Monterey" moniker. The pseudo-grille at the top right is a useful identifying feature, but care must be taken to avoid confusion with the nearly-identical rubber-dome Monterey K208 keyboard.

Description

Most K104 keyboards feature a big-ass enter key and full-size backspace. To accommodate this, backslash is moved down between right control and right alt. There is a matching blank key between left control and left alt that is, as with the Monterey K101, used for the 102nd key on ISO keyboards. On some keyboards this blank key is not connected, and requires a solder bridge between two nearby contacts for it to function. When enabled it registers as scan code (PS/2 Set 1 Make) 56 and on a US keyboard functions the same as backslash, though the actual backslash key registers as 2B, the code actually used for backslash.

An Mtek K104 with all white keycaps and Windows keys was spotted on January 27, 2021 on ebay.^[1] The key switches were not shown. The seller described the keyboard as a "Monterey Alps" keyboard. The FCC ID was FKD456AK-104 and the keyboard had a "Made in Taiwan R.O.C" label.

FCC ID FKD46AK104 was registered in 1996. Another Monterey-labeled keyboard with FCC ID FKD46AK104W, white keycaps, cream or white Alps (keyboard was in bad condition), Windows keys, a "Windows Certified" badge for the num lock/caps lock/scroll lock area, and a "Made in China" label was spotted on January 27, 2021 on Worthpoint.com.^[2]

The FCC grantee code of "FKF" belongs to Keytech Incorporation; only the K102, K103, K104 (and no other products of any kind) are listed by the FCC as being registered to Keytech. The K104W and K108/K108W were registered to Monterey, as was the K101. Despite the Keytech registration, the keyboards bear labels with Monterey branding.

The keyboard is universally reported to be clicky, but one example is given at KBDMania (also cited as "clicky") with white SMK Alps mount switches,^[3] which elsewhere have been found to be tactile. It is already known that SMK were not consistent with their use of slider colour.

The protocol selector switch on the bottom of the case has up to three positions: "A", "X" and "S". The FKD46AK104W model looks like it has a space for a switch, but the switch is not present.

Although some of the PCBs depicted below are inscribed "K102A-H3", the PCB design is different to that of the Tulip ATK 030244 (an actual K102).

Switches

Gallery

Blue Alps example

Alps SKCM Blue. The controller chip is dated 8848, and is affixed with an "89" QC label. The PCB is inscribed "38-42400-022 K102A-H3".

Alps SKCM Blue
PCB detail
Alps SKCM Blue detail
Badge
PCB
PCB detail

White Alps example

Pine Alps SKCM White. The case is marked November 1990. The PCB is the same design as for the example above, although the inscription is revised to "31-42400-024 K102A-H3".