QRP & Morse Code... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 11, 2013, 08:39:43 pm
content: Just wondering if their are individuals here, who would challenge them-self to learn Morse Code;yes I know it's now considered well out of date but, since the Ham licence allows Morse without taking a code test, the area called QRP low power CW, has become very interesting... mainly because CW on transmit is a basic oscillator xtal controlled, and receive can be just a Re-genitive design, using one transistor or two for a Q-Multiplier; all highly simple to build.So now retired, I had the idea to learn the code, to keep my mind working and have built an Iambic electronic touch Keyer for practice.A straight key is also used to get the feel and experience however, at my age I realise my hand speed the "Fist" will be slow, even when and if I get up-to-speed... anyway, an Iambic key is a two paddle device that sends Dah's on one paddle, and Dit's on the other, providing correct timed Dit's and Dah's... this makes life a bit easier, but you still need to learn the code, particularly if it's intended to actually transmit as well; because listening between the ears is the best decoder one has, to discern Morse through the atmospheric noise.

author: Radio Tech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2013, 12:07:22 pm
content: CW is alive and well. And it seems more are getting into this wonderful mode of operation. I do agree it is best to master a straight key first. Once you get that down and are able to send at a steady speed and correct spacing then move on to other methods. Other than a keyboardI learned morse years ago when my parents bought me a walkie talkie with a built in morse code key. It was crude but worked. This was in the late 60's. Still did not get my ham ticket till the 90's.I use morse when I can now. Mostly on AO-7 at 1/2 watt through my manually operated satellite station. No computers here running the antennas ot doppler.Enjoy the mode

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 12, 2013, 03:58:10 pm
content: Hi Radio Tech, and thanks for the encouragement.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 12, 2013, 05:09:14 pm
content: Yes indeed, I am trying out the Koch Method, also have renovated a Drae Morse Tutor 1980 period UK design, that I find somewhat intuitive than the software... anyway, time will tell and a good set of the letters are within my grasp.My leaning towards the straight key feels okay, it's from a Fullerphone WWII and the pivots were rusted-up, so have striped down and again refurbished, then placed onto a wood base; the Iambic built touch key was to provide another way, and the engineering/design gave a small challenge too, designed to output-key a Transmitter if I get that far.

author: ee851
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2013, 05:19:39 pm
content: I used and recommend Code Quick to learn Morse code as quickly as possible, after trying on my own.Contact info. below:E-mail us at codequicksales@gmail.comPhone 760-773-9426Jerry Wheeler38221 Desert Greens WestPalm Desert CA 92260

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 12, 2013, 07:04:00 pm
content: Ah, thanks for that e-mail; I will look further into it.

author: smashedProton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2013, 07:06:35 pm
content: I made an arduino project a couple months back where I can convert text files to a string of morse code. I can also read morse code and parse it into text. Very fun

author: kg4arn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 13, 2013, 11:17:40 pm
content: ditto for CodeQuick.I went from zero to passing the 12 words per minute in 3 weeks using the method.Nothing else I tried seemed to help.After that I practiced on the air for a few months and passed the 20 wpm test without difficulty.I loaned the course to a fellow ham who had been trying for 20 years and finally he learned i as well.The mode is very popular and it is my preferred operating mode (99%).