Morse Code Tools

Update 30-Oct-2023: Unfortunately X (Twitter) moved to a paid model for API access, with the lowest tier priced at $100/mo. Since this is free program, I don't want to cover that cost. For now you will get an error trying to use Twitter. There are still plenty of RSS sources for news and other things. I'm trying to appeal to Twitter for a "free open source" exemption.

Morse News periodically reads one or more RSS/Atom (news) messages then translates the received messages into precisely timed International (radio) or American (railroad) Morse code. The Morse code can be played as CW radio tones, old-fashioned spark-gap sounds, telegraph sounder click/clack sounds, or to a physical telegraph sounder connected to a serial port.

Split speeds are supported for Farnsworth effects. American code generation includes timing nuances that make it sound natural. The CW and spark-gap sounds can optionally be enhanced with realistic noise, static crashes, and ionospheric-style Raleigh fading. Audio support includes optional low-latency ASIO sound support, inspired by Chuck Vaughan AA0HW for crisp tone keying at QRQ speeds. For museum or other kiosk type use, the Direct Message twitter feed will let your guests send a Twitter message from their mobile phone and have it come out in Morse code.

The video is just a few minutes long and shows Morse News running in four different modes. It sounds better in real life! Please note that this video is old, but the modes of operation are accurately depicted.

Versin 5.2.1 adds support for 3rd party VBand USB adapters, 5.2 adds support for the Ultimatic keying mode, and 5.1 added keyer support for the Ham Radio Solutions VBand USB Paddle Adapter for keying input.

Morse Keyer is a software keyer that can be keyed via the mouse or a key/paddle connected to a serial port or the Ham Radio Solutions VBand USB Paddle Adapter. It supports straight keying, semi-automatic (bug) keying, and Ultimatic or Iambic mode automatic keying. The Morse code can be played as CW radio tones or telegraph sounder click/clack sounds, and low-latency ASIO sound driver output is supported. Optionally, the keyer can key an external telegraph sounder or loop, or a ham rig (while still playing the sound). Since it supports semi-auto keying, it can be used to send American morse code (a single-lever paddle is best for this). It's design can support low-latency audio systems (ASIO) and produces precise timing even at high QRQ speeds. See the article referenced below.

Chuck Vaughan (AA0HW, of the QRQcw Group) has inspired several recent improvements to this keyer. Have a look at his article The advantage of using an ASIO SOUND CARD when using your paddles with a software cw keyer on your computer. This article covers not only the ASIO audio features and usage, but also some great information on interfacing your paddles to your computer via RS-232.

 
Click this link or the picture to see the help page for this program

Contact the author for information on these tools. They require some advanced system admin skills to install. Sources are available via SVN or browsing in the Morse Code Tools SourceForge project, under Code. Please note that John Samarin, author of CW Communicator, has retired from supporting the program. However, a gent from Portsmouth England has put up a great CWCom support site called MorsePower.

• News robot for CW Communicator and MorseKOB - sends news to the relay server(s) for these programs. The author is currently feeding several channels/wires with news and practice words at several speeds using this tool. Available only in the source code tree (manual installation and setup). Can install as a Windows Service. Supports multiple Morse code feeds and can receive from multiple mixed Twitter and RSS/Atom feeds.

• An internet relay server ("Ionosphere" or "KOBServer") for CW Communicator and MorseKOB. Has a built-in web site that allows seeing who is connected on which channel or wire number. Can install as a Windows Service. You can see the relay server that the author runs at http://morsecode.dc3.com:7890/.

• A .NET assembly that encodes text into International or American morse code, with full control over code and character timing (for Farnsworth effects). It has callbacks for "dotscii", MorseMail, and CWCom formats. It also has full MSDN style CHM file documentation, and will show full IntelliSense if referenced from your .NET project.