What kind of circuit can be constructed and/or could be used to convert audio containing Morse Code sounds (say from an old practice tape, or from computer generated audio) into key, switch or relay closures that can be connected to a generic simple CW transmitter's key input terminals to transmit that code?
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$\begingroup$ Can I ask why you'd want to do this? You could just feed the audio into an SSB transmitter. $\endgroup$– Phil Frost - W8IIMar 13, 2014 at 0:32
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1$\begingroup$ An SSB transmitter is (was?) usually a more expensive kit. Probably more additional parts than the requested converter circuit. $\endgroup$– hotpaw2Mar 13, 2014 at 0:57
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1 Answer
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First, I'd start by separating the idea into smaller logical parts. I'd have an audio input section, a detection section that would test to see if we actually have a Morse code tone and a section that would trigger the output device.
In the input section, I'd place some sort of galvanic isolation that would separate the input jack from the part connected to the transmitter. A small audio transformer could be useful here. Also series capacitors for AC coupling would be a good idea.
In the detection part, I'd use a dual operational amplifier as the main device. I'd use one op-amp as a band-pass filter that would only select frequency range used on the tape and another wired as a comparator. There's a calculator for bandpass filters here. I'm not sure what level would be good for the comparator, so I'd experiment here or maybe even use two fixed resistors and a potentiometer to set sensitivity level.
The output from the comparator would go into the section that would drive the relay. Here's a tutorial on how to connect a MOSFET as a switch. The relay would then key the transmitter. For the diodes, I'd use Schottky type
Here's a rough sketch of the circuit:
Ucc would whatever voltage is available and can trigger a relay. Op-amp probably wouldn't matter too much, but it would need to work at the voltage used for relay. Some tweaking will probably be needed in case relay noise upsets the op-amps. Also tweaking the gain of the OP1 circuit might be helpful, depending on the input signal level.
A program like Audacity can be used to get the frequency of the Morse code tones for band-pass filter design. One more consideration is the relay used. It should be rated for large number of switches, so perhaps a reed relay could be used here.
answered Mar 12, 2014 at 21:48
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$\begingroup$ The bandpass filter may be redundant if the source doesn't contain much noise (practice tape) or if it was recorded from a radio which already has a CW filter (in which case you can't do much about the noise). $\endgroup$ Mar 13, 2014 at 14:29