Questions tagged [cw]
Continuous Wave (CW), or Morse code over audible tones. Use this tag for any question relating to Morse code.
101
questions
1
vote
0answers
63 views
Is it suitable to use DSSS in a narrow-band channel for a power-starved system
I want to build a system that can transmit data through 2-way radios as far as possible. I use the "line-in" as the input of the baseband signal in the transmitter and use the "audio out" as the ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
What is the origin, history behind “Ben's Best Bent Wire”?
Bens Best Bent Wire
My uncle, who was a Merchant Marine in WWII used to tell me this. He was a ham, and said it would develop my fist musically.
I was a small child at the time, and through his ...
1
vote
6answers
631 views
Looking for a CW Tutor app [closed]
Is there an app that sends random morse code that I can copy to paper, then shows me what was sent for me to check my work? Basically an app that works like the MFJ-418 Code Tutor. All the apps I find ...
2
votes
1answer
679 views
Where can I find the definition of the Q Codes as they should be used in amateur radio (CW)?
Where can I find the definition of the Q Codes for amateur radio?
So far I could only find
ITU-R M.1172
ANNEX 1
Miscellaneous abbreviations and signals to be used
for radiocommunications in ...
0
votes
1answer
180 views
CW paddle interface wiring problem
I have the MFJ-564B iambic paddle which I need to wire to the MFJ-552 CW interface. The paddle is stereo (dits/dahs) and the interface is mono (when connected to paddle, only gives DITS). How can I ...
0
votes
1answer
224 views
Testing my HB-1B QRP CW Transceiver on 40m
I'm a new ham and have only used 2m/70cm so far. I have recently completed a QRP CW setup: a YouKits HB-1B transceiver and a simple wire dipole. I haven't made any contacts yet, and I'm wodering if ...
2
votes
0answers
188 views
How can I connect a CW keyer to my Mac and transmit CW on VHF? [duplicate]
I currently have a Kenwood TM-V71A 2m/70cm transceiver that I would like to connect to my Macbook to transmit morse code, using the cocoaModem software. Aside from the cables needed to connect the ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
Morse code for hash (#)
Is there a morse code for a hash character? If so, what is that morse code? My thoughts where that there is morse code for an @ but why not for a #?
2
votes
1answer
938 views
Do I need a Balun for a single band QRP antenna?
I have a little MFJ QRP CW 20m rig that I plan to turn into a portable kit for SOTA peaks. I have everything figured out except for the antenna. I am wanting to make a dipole. However, I was wondering,...
13
votes
2answers
2k views
How does selecting the opposite sideband when receiving CW on HF reduce interference?
I am studying for my FCC General Class license, and question/answer G4A02 reads as follows:
Q: What is one advantage of selecting the opposite or "reverse" ...
5
votes
1answer
247 views
History and significance of term “lid”
What is the history on the term “lid” when referring to a telegrapher’s capability? How did it originate and what is the significance if any of each letter?
0
votes
2answers
3k views
Wiring a CW paddle
What kind of cable would be suitable for wiring an MFJ-564B Iambic CW Paddle to an Icom IC-718?
I have heard that you can just use a length of old electric guitar cord but I was not sure what to do.
4
votes
1answer
227 views
Listening below the carrier frequency gives a weaker signal than above the carrier frequency - why?
I have a 20m CW transceiver with an option for a wide or a narrow filter. When the narrow filter is selected, a crystal ladder filter is used in the intermediate frequency filter, between two mixers. ...
5
votes
4answers
590 views
What if someone responds to my CQ, but I can't hear him?
I tried making a CQ on 20 m, 14.060 MHz (the QRP CQ frequency) and parallel to that I had a WebSDR on my computer just to keep an eye on the band. I saw someone responding on the WebSDR, which is ...
6
votes
4answers
2k views
Shaving Quartz Crystal for New Frequency
Back in the 1960s during my Novice days I operated on the 40-meter band only with 4 different quartz crystals that determined my transmitting frequency with my Eico 720 CW transmitter. I had heard ...
3
votes
3answers
928 views
CW contact content
I received my license and built and tested my first CW transceiver. I've spent the last weeks learning Morse code. Now, time has come to make the first contact.
But what is a typical CW contact? When ...
1
vote
2answers
2k views
Do I really need a side-tone oscillator?
I'm throwing together bits-and-pieces towards my rig on a less than shoestring budget. It is possible to apply a take-off from the key and use it to drive a piezo-buzzer. Of course, there won't be any ...
2
votes
2answers
129 views
Terminology for written “CW-like” Code?
Morse Code is defined by most dictionaries in terms of sequences of short and long signals. What would be the most common or most descriptive terminology for un-timed written or printed code, where ...
2
votes
1answer
3k views
Decoding the Morse code
I am using a crystal to transmit morse codes, and I am using Kenwood radio receiver to obtain the signal. It receives the signal with a lot of noise, though we can figure out the morse code sound. I ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views
How are capital letters sent in Morse code?
There is only one alphabet in Morse code, so is there a recognised way to indicate a capital letter?
5
votes
2answers
415 views
Circuit to send MCW on 2m FM
I regularly practice Morse with a friend on 2m NFM by holding our tone generators, which we also use for personal practice, close to the microphone. We send text by CW, read it back, and discuss how ...
14
votes
6answers
1k views
Where can one find recordings of Morse code, generated by humans and not machines?
I need some recordings of CW / Morse code for use in a project. Most of what I find is either nonsense (it just exists for the 'sound of CW', but doesn't contain a message) or is generated by a ...
1
vote
1answer
116 views
Where can I find documentation on Handicode? [closed]
Apologies, this may be off topic. Ham radio operators are the probably the only community that might have used Handicode. Back in 2002, a company "Microsystems Software" made a DOS program that ...
10
votes
1answer
1k views
Fastest Speed allowed for CW FM repeater ID in USA
What is the fastest legal WPM I can use for my repeater's Morse code identification?
I am in the USA.
3
votes
3answers
455 views
Consistency of Morse Code/CW sending speed
How important is it to maintain a consistent Morse Code WPM keying speed when transmitting CW? I occasionally hear operators slow way down when sending RST and location info, and then later ...
5
votes
3answers
367 views
Characteristics of a “bad fist”?
What are some characteristics, when sending CW, of a "bad fist"? How bad can it get, typically, and still manage to communicate the message text sent to a human operator on the receiving end?
Contra-...
1
vote
1answer
753 views
Spacing between words in CW using Farnsworth timing?
What is the proper way to calculate or determine the amount of time between words (the key up of the last character of one word to the key down of the first character of the next word) when using ...
3
votes
1answer
582 views
Audio Morse Code to CW converter?
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 ...
6
votes
3answers
467 views
Morse Code Key Grease
I just got an old brass key at a hamfest, and it appears to be in pretty good mechanical condition, aside from some dirt and dust. Taking it apart, the key (apologies for not knowing the exact ...
6
votes
1answer
642 views
Coherent CW synchronization?
When using coherent CW, how is the receiver frequency and/or Morse Code dot clock synchronized to the transmission precisely enough to allow for synchronous decoding?
10
votes
2answers
622 views
Scoring quality of Morse Code “fist”?
When learning, teaching oneself, or training a class in Morse Code sending using a hand key, how can acceptable quality be scored (other than the letters being correct terms of dot-dash sequence)? ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
Configuring an SDR for CW?
So I'm developing my own SDR software from scratch (I like to "own" the code). The channel between the RF-to-USB hardware and the software is 192kHz sample-rate IQ audio samples. The degrees of ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
Preventing CW key clicks
What are "key clicks"? How much does the rise time or bandwidth of a CW signal need to be limited to prevent other QSOs on adjacent frequencies from being annoyed by "key clicks"? Is there a legal ...
9
votes
3answers
7k views
Bandwidth of a CW signal?
What is the RF bandwidth of a typical CW signal? How is the signal bandwidth affected by WPM and/or transmitter rise-time?
What is the narrowest bandwidth that can still be copied by a human? Or ...
3
votes
1answer
151 views
How to tell other party of scheduled QSO that frequency is in use?
It may happen that, at the start of a scheduled CW rag chew, the frequency is in use, but only one side can hear that it is in use.
A cannot hear the existing QSO.
B can hear the existing QSO.
A ...
7
votes
6answers
5k views
International characters in Morse Code?
Does the official International Morse code include alphabetic characters other than the 26 letters of the English alphabet? If so, what are the most common other alphabets or characters that one ...
2
votes
3answers
415 views
What is morse code used for in amateur radio? [duplicate]
Ok , so I know very very little about amateur radio, I've hear in some websdr frequencies morse code transmissions and I've got quite curious, what are they?
Who sends moresecode transmissions ...
5
votes
6answers
20k views
How to convert a Morse Code Message/QSO from Mp3 file into text?
I tried to use both:
Cwget
CW decoder
But neither one worked. Can you recommend a tool or an alternative approach to decode a Morse message saved as an Mp3 file?
9
votes
1answer
305 views
CW on phone band
In the U.S., regulations permit CW operations throughout the amateur bands. That makes the phone section of a band look tempting when the CW/digital part of the band is busy with a contest. I wonder ...
7
votes
4answers
729 views
How many new amateur operators can currently use CW?
Given that it is no longer a license requirement, are there any current statistics available on what percentage of licensed amateur radio operators still learn Morse Code to some degree of proficiency?...
5
votes
2answers
3k views
What is the record for the highest non-automated over-the-air CW WPM speed?
Related to this question, but using humans, and in an actual QSO, not lab conditions:
Is there a record for QSO QRQ speed? And, if so, what is the record for the highest non-automated over-the-air ...
17
votes
6answers
20k views
Using a Morse code key with a computer?
Are there standard ways to connect a hand key (straight or paddle) to a contemporary computing device (PC laptop with no parallel port, Mac, Android, iOS device, etc.) for developing or improving ones ...
8
votes
1answer
3k views
Audio frequency used for Morse code in licensing exams?
Back when Morse code proficiency was required for certain radio licenses, what audio frequency was used by the exam tapes, equipment or examiner that generated the Morse code audio? Was there a ...
4
votes
3answers
2k views
How low a sidetone frequency will allow QRQ CW to be copied?
What sidetone frequency range (or VFO/BFO receiver offset) will allow one to copy CW when trying to learn to copy QRQ? (high-speed Morse code, 40 WPM and higher)
It seems like there will be very few ...
4
votes
1answer
169 views
What is the record for highest successful (automated) CW transmission rate?
I understand high speed CW is used with meteor scatter, because the path only exists for a few seconds after the meteor passes.
I was wondering if automated high speed CW has an effective "speed ...
6
votes
2answers
116 views
Is CW necessary to be competitive in most ARRL contests?
The ARRL hosts many contests throughout the year, and maintains a leaderboard of sorts to encourage competition.
Is it possible to rank on any of the leaderboards without knowing or using morse code?
4
votes
1answer
190 views
What would letter T mean in this radio beacon message?
I'm currently picking up signal from a beacon using RTL-SDR and decoding the Morse code on a computer using gMFSK program.
The beacon is sending message which decodes as "T DE YU1VHF LOC KN04OO".
I ...
7
votes
5answers
2k views
Is Morse code a requirement for ham licensing?
As I recall, it used to be in the U.S. that the ability to read and send Morse code over CW was a requirement for an amateur license (and was tested, I believe). Is that still true in the U.S.? If ...
9
votes
2answers
2k views
Is Morse code allowed on FM in the USA
Let's say I get my little 2 meter FM handheld out and make a little sine-wave generator with which I pulse a morse code and if I connect it to headphones a speaker, I hear the dits and dahs of a nice ...
60
votes
16answers
7k views
Why is Morse Code still in use?
Why do people still use Morse Code?
What are its advantages over newer Voice or Data communication modes?
