Morse Code 2

Just a bit to expand on the first post.  As stated I decided to give the code another try when I found an MFJ-411 Pocket Morse Tutor in a local thrift shop one night on my way home from work.

When I got home I did as I do with most electronics; put it on the work bench and opened the cover.  Everything looked like new.  I put a battery in it and it told me it was ON.  Cool.  I remembered 2 letters.  I cycled it through the selections and figured out how to use it.

I did a search for the manual.  No manual.  Very few worthwhile or informative posts on the 411.  No site with the manual.  Some information on line about the 417, and I found several sites with the manual. MFJ had a description of the 417 Code Tutor and the manual.  I downloaded it and still do not know the difference in the 2 since the manual is nearly identical to what I eventually located a few years later for the 411.

I set the MFJ-411 per the instructions for the MFJ-413/417 and listened to the code.  It was the same.  I used this for a while, but did not know how to check what was sent against what I copied for accuracy.  The first code group is easy, but as each groups complexity increased, copy and proof of accuracy began to become too difficult and time consuming.

Next I downloaded & installed the Koch Method Morse Trainer software from G4FON.  Now the code is easier to proof for accuracy.  It became even more fun to learn.  I could watch the screen as a character was sent, I could copy and check the copy, and I could be sure what I copied and checked was accurate.

I also started using Chuck Adams, K7QO Morse Code Course on CD.  I was given an MP3 player and this worked fine since I could load Chuck's files onto an SD card and play it back any time any place to practice.

Finally I was able to copy code and it was fun learning.  I know I only had to learn at Novice speed to get my General and Extra and there are those out there who had to learn 13 w.p.m. and 20 w.p.m.  I know I have a long way to go to get to be really proficient at both copying and sending.  I do hope someone wanting to try CW reads this and is encouraged no matter what their age or license class (or even if they do not have a license) to take a few minutes each day and learn the code and get on the air.

I finally found a manual (way after I got my Extra) some place and downloaded it.  Since it was difficult to find I added a link to the manual at the end.  Now that I have the manual I am back to practice using the code tutor.  I also keep using the K7QO files on my MP3 player.  I like the tutor because I can set the speed faster than 12 w.p.m.

 The MFJ-411 Pocket Morse Tutor

The inside of the 411.  The original battery connector failed and I added a better one that required removal of the original bracket clip that held the battery on its side.  The battery now lays flat.  The fit is snug enough a clip is not needed to hold the battery in place.

MFJ-411Manual

I also use CWCP.  It is a Linux based trainer much like the G4FON trainer.

Just a few of many fun ways to learn the Morse Code.  I have yet to memorize what a trainer sends like I was able to do with recordings played over and over and over....


de Bill
73

Digital Photography

I have a brief page on my website about my webtography (yep another one of my made-up words).  The digital photography I do for web postings.  Most of it is sloppy as compared to any real (film) photography I have done and I still do.  However, for on line it works & digital photography is quick and easy.

As I was searching for some information on one of my view cameras I came across a website for those like myself do not like to spend exaggerated sums of my hard earned money on stuff I can build or acquire for next to nothing or even free (check out www.freecycle.org and look for your city or a city near you).  The site is for do-it-yourself photographers.  http://diyphotography.net/

I spent quite a bit of time exploring the home made items on there.  Some I have already made before knowing of this site.  One of the neat places is the lighting section.  I have done many kinds of lighting through the years.  Much of it was in automated machine vision inspection.  The requirement is quite like the super macro photography I do for some of my web posts and the other is diffuse lighting where soft light without shadows is needed to make a flatly lit subject whether it be a portrait, a still-life, or to show some fine detail in a product or tooling, or for an item to be posted on line.

If you like photography, like to save money and like to make things the DIY Photography site is loaded with plenty of information and it is all free.  Sometimes there is not real detail in building an accessory, but there is enough shown that anyone with basic hand tools should be able to make their own item(s).

Why a post on photography on a ham radio blog?  Why not my original thoughts of expanding on the Morse Code?  Well, there may be someone out there that wants a few pointers on doing table top digital photography to sell the extra rig or microphone or close-up of their new QRP circuit or what ever reason.  Take a bit extra time to make a better photo to post and the item may sell faster or at a better price.  As Fred R. Barnard once said, " A picture is worth a thousand words."  (yea, he originated it; not Confucius some were along the line it became attributed to the Chinese fellow)

Also check out Chuck Adams, K7QO, Lab Notebook.  I got the idea for my cameras from his site and even learned some of his QRP construction techniques.  Chuck has a very interesting site.

BTW the sheet metal punch he notes is no longer in the Harbor Freight catalog, but a similar one for about $30.00 is available from Wholesale Tool.
Check out their entire catalog.  I get nothing for mentioning them.  I buy from them and they have good prices and great service even on hard to find items that I could not find at several other major well known suppliers of similar wares.

73

dah-di-dah-dit ^ dah-dah-di-dah Speaking of the Morse Code -- The Original Digital Mode

Many people, including ham radio operators, like to think the Morse Code or CW operation is dead or dying.  From my experience I do not know.  I do know I do not hear as much of it across the Short Wave Band, but when the ham bands are open there is still quite a bit of code chatter.

What got me thinking about the code was an article I came across by Duane Asherman, W6REC called Learn CW (Morse Code) as a Language.  It really is a language, a new language that can be learned.

It is also what has kept many, like myself, out of Amateur Radio for years.  For me it was 40 or so years!  Why?  I think because of the archaic ways to learn it (before the MFJ code tutors and PCs).  Like many I memorized the records and tapes.  I found when someone took the time to send it did not sound like the recordings and was boring.  I wanted to get my ticket to build things to get on the air.  It is more of a challenge to build an A.M. or SSB transmitter than it is a CW transmitter.  However a CW transmitter is easy and simple and inexpensive.  A home brew QRP rig is one of the most economical ways into amateur radio.  But I went into commercial radio and my first transmitter was a nice new AEL 25KD 25kW.

I was out of commercial radio only a few months when I decided I have to get back to radio.  By chance I found an old MFJ-411 Code Tutor at a thrift store for $1.00.  That got me thinking of learning the code so I started on my amateur license.  I thought anyone, especially an old guy, can learn at least 5 w.p.m. and get on the  air.  Besides if I can get the code and learn a few rules I can get my Extra without a problem.

(Now all the fellows who had to learn 13 words per minute copy and send at the F.C.C. Field Office can pick on me.)

Now the mode that was of little interest to me has become my favorite mode.  I like QRP and that is a great fit for CW.  It was fun to learn and it is still fun to use all the tools to keep improving my terrible fist.  I still have a long way to go to get to the speed and quality of my goal.  I hear fellows at faster speeds than I can copy and I hear near perfect code (and the perfect machine or computer sent) and those who have been using code for decades and I want to send good code.

The reason for the long, and maybe boring, history is to encourage everyone reading this who does not know the code to get one of the computer based training programs and start learning code and open a brand new world on the air.

Search Morse Code and read some of the posts that are on line.  Start with the article I mentioned.  It is a very good article on learning the code.

Also check out Fists
Chuck Adams, K7QO has designed a nice code learning course in MP3 available on CD from Fists. 

Download one of the most popular & easy to use trainers by Ray Goff,  G4FON Koch Method Trainer
This runs on Windows.  The G4FON trainer is perhaps my favorite although I use CWCP quite often since I run Linux PCs and CWCP is written for Linux.  G4FON's will run using WINE, but sometimes the code will not be as clean nor do all the features work as well as if it is run on Windows.

Read So You Want to Learn Morse Code 

Visit Jack Wagoner's (WB8SFV) site   Lot of good information on CW and CW QSOs.

And for those really serious about the code (and those who like to read download) The Art and Skill of Radio-Telegraphy by William G. Pierpont, N0HFF (SK).  This is an excellent manual on learning and using Morse Code. 

Then practice, practice, practice and practice more.  All the reading will not make you proficient at the code, but listening and / or sending (after you get your copy down) will.



The when all else fails motto (paraphrased) from the ARRL for ham radio is true, but when all else fails to get through the noise CW punches through; and sometimes at much less of a power level than any other mode. (ok PSK is quiet efficient at low power)

CW, the Morse Code.  Check it out, Learn it, and get on the air and use it.

Adding more to the blog.

The search engines are finally or perhaps already finding this blog.  Thought a bit of revising should be in order.  I added a photo of what my station looked like as I added a few accessories to my FT-101ZD a few months after I placed it on the air.  My operating area was much less cluttered then and so was the room housing it all.

That reminds me of a good topic.  Clutter.  Not much of a radio subject, but something I learned at a very young age.  If there is a space -- fill it!  Whether it be a room, cabinet, closet, tool box or work bench.  I had a few good teachers for this.  My grandfather's garage, my mentors work bench and shop, my mentor in commercial radio with his shop (and many other areas) and work bench and the work areas at many radio stations.  After awhile one becomes proficient at pushing things aside on the bench to make room to pile on more.

The problem is then incomplete projects get burried, set aside or even worse removed from the bench and put somewhere and never get completed.

The moral of all this: keep the workbench clear and organized with only what can be completed on it and complete that one or two things at a time.

Now if I could apply that philosophy to my radio room and garage!  The radio room is a mess normally (I never show that part on photos) and for those who remember Fibber McGee, well my garage is like his closet.

So much for now.

For those in the USA have a great Independence Day!

This should have been posted at the start of the blog

In June we lost 2 greats in electronics, analog electronics.  You know the kind that takes a bit of work as opposed to digital.  ( I have said that about analog vs. digital ever since college and I say the same about tubes except that we have a gargantuan amount of stuff that could never be if all we had were tubes, but tube audio and radio gear still sounds better than solid state and it is great fun to design around and work on)

Jim Williams passed away in early June and ironically Bob Pease died about 2 weeks later on his way home from Jim's memorial service.

Both will be greatly missed and I will especially miss Jim's articles on linear design and Bob's monthly Pease Porridge in EDN.

There are many great articles from these fellows on line and some fine video of Jim on YouTube.

I cannot write much about either man.  There are several obituaries posted.  Search on either name and if you never heard of these men you will learn something.  For those who knew them through their writing a new appreciation.
For those who knew them personally a great big loss.

More on Field Day

May seem odd to post about an event that took place last weekend.  Well this week end finished up my work on Field Day 2011.  The Blazer is finally empty. I start in winter.  It takes a few days in winter to make anything new and maintain anything from the previous event.  Nice thing about living in FL the winters are a great time to do outside things.  In VA it was usually fine if there was no snow on the ground, but in PA it generally was too blustery cold to do many things outside.

So for now the ropes are wound, the ground spikes cleaned, the antenna wires and coax all wound, the masts and all other accessories tagged, inventoried and stored ready for another use.  The radio, key, microphone and all the station items back in the station.  Now to make the operating position look once again like it appears on or in the photo on my Home Page, QRZ and eyeball cards.

So with the storing of all the stuff from this year it is time to note what can be done better and plan to do some work over the winter and get ready for 2012's 3 weeks (gather & load the week prior, use one week end, and put it all away the following) of Field Day.  Really it is more counting things that get done through the year.  It is all part of amateur radio and being prepared.  In Florida that is a constant endeavor due to hurricanes and in some places wild fire.  Maybe next year I will work Field Day myself and work QRP.

Field Day 2011

Well, the big event for many North American hams was last week.  I work with 2 clubs and things went quite well in spite of the wild fires, construction and general last minute relocations.  More on all of this later. 

One thing that comes up quite often during the event here are questions on the masts and the hardware that gets used.  I posted a page on my site which may be a circular link if you found the blog from the site. 

Originally all the information on masts was going to be on the one page.  Since it was getting quite long the AB-155/U mast was placed on its own page.  Much of the information on the mast page is or can be common to both.  It seems there are many more of the LCSS poles around being used for masts than the MS-44 mast sections that are used with the AB-155/U and I have seen even less of the other masts used with the NVIS and VHF antennas and masts.

One thing not on the site, nor is it found on other sites relating to the masts, is a good base.  I have used modified bases.  I machine my own.  However, just recently, too close to Field Day to order one I found the best base for these on Ebay from Baran's Surplus.  I have purchased from him and know that he is reliable and products are as described.  No, this is not an ad and I do not have any affiliation with Baran's Surplus other than being one of the customers.  I plan on ordering one of these bases and will post more when I get one.  The base is well worth the price asked.  Used ones for the other masts cost at least as much and if you do not have a machine shop they do not work.

Baran also can supply the tripod adapter.  I do not have one.  I made my own and they are much heavier (weight-wise)  than the aluminum ones sold on Ebay.   There was even an article in the June QST magazine on several uses for the masts and tripod adapter. 

More will be posted later.  Please follow this blog or check my site over the next few weeks.