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MorsePower....
Please use the PAGES Menu below, to navigate. and get the best settings for CWCOM operators are friendly and the object is to chat using the skill of morse code communication
For download sites see PAGE 1 or PAGE 2, on this blog . If you have any difficulties, contact me skodadriver1.6tdi (at) gmail (dot) com.
CWCOM can be used on Windows, and also on Linux and Mac. See relevant pages for step by step instructions on how to insall on LINUX and MAC machines
NOTE..... THIS IS NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH SEEING TTT T TTT TTTTTT TT when you are first keying .... see PAGE 3 - SETTINGS AND CONFIGURATIONS regarding the TRANSMIT speed settings. A new user reported to me that he was having problems with the decoding of his transmissions, on the screen, and replies received. The corruption seemed to take the form of missing a letter in a word, then moving on and then missing several words before coming back again into print. If this happens on the receive only side, then it would be assumed that the internet connection at either operator`s end, could be breaking down... however, as it also appears in the "local" screen on the "local" transmit, it may be due to a corrupt copy of CWCOM. You can try to uninstall it.... in the usual way...depending on your operating system, ( in the case above, it was on Windows 7 ). Once uninstalled, on a windows system, you can try using CCleaner, as a "Registry Cleaner" to clear away the loose ends. After doing that a couple of times.... download a new copy of CWCOM from this instruction....
hopefully, after all that... everything will be good to go again....
If you are still having problems of corruption ( apart from badly formed keying ! ! ) ... then there may be somehidden files still on the hard drive. and these must be removed.....
at this stage the uninstall and CCleaner Reg Cleaner has failed... so you need to be a bit bold... and try this...
This is from David / K2JVB who found the problem ! ! ..
CCleaner did not remove them.
Using the CWCom installer Remove feature did not remove them.
Deleting the Folder MRX in the Programs (x86) folder did not remove them.
Doing a search (of the hard drive from the command box above "START" ) ..did not locate them!What I had to do was to go to an
Administrator Command Prompt,
go to the
Root directory and do a search for dir morse*.* /a/s.
These are the files and their location on my computer:
C:\Users\dpenner\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files (x86)\MRX
Software\CWCom>dir /a
Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is 8A87-D106
Directory of C:\Users\dpenner\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files
(x86)\MRX Software\CWCom
12/31/2019 07:39 AM <DIR> .
12/31/2019 07:39 AM <DIR> ..
12/31/2019 07:39 AM 1,621 CWCOM.CFG
12/30/2019 09:41 AM 214,354 Morse-001.lib
12/26/2019 09:03 PM 214,354 Morse-Original.lib
12/31/2019 07:05 AM 214,354 Morse.lib
4 File(s) 644,683 bytes
2 Dir(s) 108,278,972,416 bytes free
C:\Users\dpenner\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files (x86)\MRX
Software\CWCom>
Once you have found them,... you need to delete them... or, if you have an "erase" program that will overwrite the files... even better.. ! Erase them .
Then it is back to basics... download a new copy of CWCOM as instructed above, and start again ! ..
I have been in touch with a guy in Dakota, and he has kindly offered an alternative server for CWCOM users, if the current one should become unavailable.
For English Users of CWCOM..... This is how to access the Alternative Server.
Special thanks to Les Kerr without which the activation of the server would not have been possible.
All you need to do, to access the new server, is this...
1. Open CWCOM as normal. click on the "config icon" and select your keying method....
2. click on the world icon to open the "connect" window
3. in the " Remote Details " panel ........ > "Address" box,..... which normally shows morsecode.dyndns.com click there,
clear all text and type in
morsecode.dc3.com
4. click on Connect, as normal....
Note...you will not be able to contact anyone, unless they also are on the same server...
so you must make sure that others are also connected to the "new" server, to ensure contact can be made... you should see their callsign/name on the "on channel" window, or the Ionosphere Server.... (Internet Morse Code Server which is different to the cwcom Ionosphere server page )...
To access the practice sessions and to see who is on the Ionosphere Server.... type this
that you are on the correct server... as this "new" server will now be the "default" unless you have changed it back to the original before closing last time...
Note... the "new" server, will be available on the "drop down" menu arrow, so you only have to type it in once.
73 DE G3MS
Also available on the "alternative server" are the news channels for practice reception.... the channels are as follows ....
Ionosphere server morsecode.dc3.com:7890
Channel
Topic
Speed (WPM)
200
News Headlines
12
201
News Headlines
15
202
News Headlines
20
203
News Headlines
25
204
News Headlines
30
220
Practice Words
15
221
Practice Words
25
Thanks to Robert B. Denny in Dakota.
Thanks again, to Bob Denny in Dakota... for correcting the address for the alternative server !..
Error corrected on this page... so it should be "good to go" now... ( sorry for the error )
I am often asked,... "how easy is it to learn morse code?" or " can you teach me morse code?" ... however, when I tell people that it is as easy as you make it.. but it needs lots of dedication and practice, they seem to be a bit disappointed...
However... Morse can be learned, in just over two weeks... no..you will not be able to send and receive very fast... but you should be able to read slow morse ( about 5 wpm ) and send some morse messages .
Here is an excellent guide to what letters to learn.... which order to learn them in...and how to use those letters learned to make up words....
For "reception" purposes... it will soon become apparent that you, the student, needs to know and understand the sound and "rhythm" of the morse code symbols, before you can actually get to send them on a morse key.. To start off sending, you do not really need a key.... as you hear the sound, and see the symbols on the screen, you can practice, just by tapping on a desktop or even your leg, if you are travelling on a bus or a train... so , you can utilise the spare time when travelling to swot up on your morse receiving, and also practice your sending too !... Another program that is really excellent for all levels, from beginner to "reasonable" operator standard, is G4FON Koch Morse Trainer.
NOTE..... Scroll down below the description text for the actual download button....
With the G4FON Koch system, you will learn two letters, at the speed you want to achieve...say 15 wpm... then when you "know" them, you can add another letter, and so on, until you have mastered them all... Once you have mastered the alphabet, and the punctuation, and the numbers, you can start to "introduce" technical difficulty, such as noise, fading, key clicks etc... You can even introduce your own text, and have the program send the morse to you...
To help you to gain confidence, and learn the rhythm, practice sending 5 letter groups, .... here is 150 groups of 5 letters, that you can copy and paste into the G4FON program for reception practice... or you can use this page for practice sending..
You can also use CWCOM to practice with...you do not need to "connect" .. just click your mouse on screen, and you are in "local" ... ! .. GR 150 BT 26464 ALFA JULIETT BRAVO ZULU ZULU MIKE TANGO RHZRX SRAKD SAIDY VNTGF LEXZN SNGRY YMDKD LNKTE JJJCV LJTKR PTDOE MXVFU JJZOI DLQQL NYAVD QLWDT WQEHU FFEOF LASTB CCVCB EEKSA SSVOQ KXPKP GVPDU QYLJJ WMSAV XLSJH FILYI EPMBK JMBWE SHQSL GRJYO JLOLM SCHVG LAWNJ FXFHS YTGCA JOSAN KICMM TLXWV JZKAK WHZAL - - B 50 ZKILR VSOHM IRPQT WTTFP EOZKD DQIKQ ZEMJS BNHYJ AHYUB YTITI KFVTQ ITEIC TRQCX WOTJS MWBNB DAEOF ZGKQP OLGRQ OVNOE GDMBX LVACL EZJSV JCUUU BWFBT DSKSO JFEPQ JLUKX QEMDJ RXFIM XBMHE BWNWC BUNGH GUQXS BTFST PZHRX VIJLX SCYBG CAYYP MEUZI ACYBG CAYYP MEUZI FUHQJ VEJMN CSSXC JVRRY PHACI LAKTZ LTKLH OPPUA – - B 100 FHZBM OAEBB NRJRQ UNPHX FFYUY FFMRF NAXHR YZJZG TOAAW LYWXQ BWIUN GNSIW ZJMEF SGTAX CEHII CNRHU AYJVN WSQGV GDDQJ XEBIY BSAAV FNVWI DPVBE GUACH JHPLV JPCXW PCTEG INISY BADPO ITSXK HYITX PNMEJ XTSTM VATUM DPKMF REBCH GGREZ VZDJD NALTH HJMEC ULOWY XIIIS RMQHM MUOKQ WGBWP WEKGD IWTRA JOQMJ IMRRL TRCXE BT GR150 If you find this helpful, then I would appreciate any comments.
Windows 8, 8.1, and Windows 10& WINDOWS 11 users..
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR WINDOWS 11 USERS
1ST JULY 2024.
It has come to my notice, that certain people are having trouble gaining the COM Port in the Morse key tab. This is due to incompatiblity with "old" PL2303 usb to serial converters. so I put the following question to Google
Is PL2303 compatible with Windows 11?
And this is the answer I found.
Windows
11 and higher are NOT supported in PL-2303HXA/
TA/TB/HXD/RA/SA/EA (EOL chip version).
Run PL2303
CheckChipVersion tool program in Windows XP/Vista/7 to
check chip version.
Windows Vista, XP, 2000, 98 and
Windows ME driver technical support are discontinued.
Prolific recommends to use PL-2303GC chip.5 Jan 2024
At this time, the only place I could find to buy a PL-2303GC usb to serial converter, with DB9 socket, is on AliExpress
You might need to uninstall the current driver, and re-install it, when you have the new PL-2303GC cable connected to your computer/laptop, for it to be recognised.
New Edit 17 April 2017 Some users have reported problems with the keying using Windows 10, and external key, including Paddle key, using the USB to Serial Converter, or even on the serial port of a Desktop or Tower system. To resolve this issue, there is a "workaround"... please visit PAGE 7 of this blog, "Keying with a mouse adapter" for keying on Windows 10
Using the USB to Serial Converter. According to the PLUGABLE site... you should have the correct driver downloaded, as soon as you plug in your PROLIFIC PL2303 USB TO SERIAL CONVERTER.... .... however, if you still want to get the driver.... visit this site... BUT READ ON FURTHER DOWN.... BEFORE DOWNLOADING DRIVER... http://plugable.com/drivers/prolific IMPORTANT..... If you are using other manufacturers usb to serial converter, then you need to check with PL2303 CHECKCHIP TOOL.... to make sure that your item has the correct chip inside... otherwise it may not work properly.
NOTE: - Windows 8, 8.1, and Windows 10 are NOT supported in the PL2303HXA AND PL2303X EOLchip versions.
The latest chip version that IS
supported is PL-2303HXD (version HXrevision D)
or PL2303GTA
chip.
PL2303 CHECKCHIP TOOLhttp://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=225&pcid=41http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=225&pcid=41 From the Plugable page.... this warning.... Warning Notice:
Please be warned that counterfeit (fake)PL-2303HX (Chip Rev A) USB to Serial Controller ICs
using Prolific's trademark logo, brandname, and device drivers, were
being sold in the China market. Counterfeit IC products show exactly the
same outside chip markings but generally are of poor quality and causes
Windows driver compatibility issues (Yellow Mark Error Code 10 in Device Manager). We issue this warning to all our customers and consumers to avoid confusion and false purchase. If you are having problems getting CWCOM to work, then..... use the PL2303 chip check as above... to make sure your chip is the HXD version... not the HXA version....
COMPATIBILITY MODE
You can also Try "compatibility mode"..... to do this... START > type in CWCOM in the box above Start.... or find the cwcom. exe file in your cwcom folder. Right click on the CWCOM icon, and find " Open File Location"... in the drop down menu. Left click on that... Then Right click on the CWCOM icon again.. click on Properties, . to find "Compatibility" tab...
.. Then check the box at "run this program in compatibility mode
for....." click on the arrow to get the drop down list.... of previous
Windows O.S. and I suggest you use Windows 7 or Windows Vista as
compatible modes.... and I hope that works for you.... Good Luck... ).
CWCOM is an easy to use program, although there are no "rules & regulations" stipulated, a common sense approach to "working procedures" works reasonably well. In general, the procedure followed by existing operators, is very similar to that of Amateur Radio operations,.. using the same Q codes and "overs" system.... however, a few points need to be explained to make things work smoothly "on channel". Unlike the HF radio frequencies. there is no fading, (QSB)... there is no low power section ( QRP ). and the only mode of operation is CW or Morse. with a modification that you can also TYPE your QSO, which is then sent across the internet in Morse to the receiving station. Because of this, it is pointless sending some kind of signal report,... such as 599 or 5nn... everything on cwcom is 100 percent 599 due to the nature of the internet.. ! Channel 1000 is the Primary or DEFAULT channel,.. and can be considered as the CALLING FREQUENCY.... (but can be used for chat if no other stations are showing on the "on channel" window) once a QSO has been started, it is "common sense" to QSY or "shift"to another channel,... Especially if there are other stations showing on the "on channel" window....this is easily done.. no re-tuning of antenna !... just announce the new channel..."QSY 999" or whatever channel you want... the other station will probably agree,.. and you can both send Dit Dit,..or "UP"... and then click on the up or down arrow on the channel window at the bottom of the text screen...
How to QSY on cwcom ?
the channel number at the bottom of the screen is the channel "in use"... to qsy use the "up" or "down" arrows to the right of the number and that will qsy you.... the other station will have to do the same... ! . This will then leave the "Default" or calling channel free for newer stations to be able to establish their own qso. Using the "WebView" icon this gives a new page called IONOSPHERE Current users list of channels . ((The "monitor screen icon" at the top of the text screen)), you can find out what channels other stations are working on. In the past few years, channel 1000 has become the "general chat channel".. because there has not been many users... and it seemed to be a bit pointless to QSY,.. in other words, it has become "habit" to continue qso`s... The problem with this, is, that if a number of other stations start CWCOM they will also, by default, be on channel 1000, and because a QSO is in progress, will, "hopefully" politely wait for ........ A... the qso to end... B... to be called into the qso... C... try to "break in", causing a "collision".. and upsetting the QSO in progress. .
D... Give up and leave.
It is therefore a good idea to re-size the main screen, so that the "On Channel" window, can be positioned below the main screen.. and when new user start up...they will be shown on that screen, and hopefully, those in the QSO, will call them, or arrange a QSY to free up 1000 again. CLICK ON THE PIC .... FOR A LARGER VIEW
Sometimes...
a "collision" is unintentional, due to new users not knowing how cwcom
actually works,.. other times it is deliberate, due to frustration of
waiting, and being ignored.
If everyone uses the "On Channel" window as described above, then it is possible to pass a message to other stations using the "message box" at the top of the screen, to the right of the QRX box.
Messages here, are displayed alongside the callsign on the "On Channel" window... therefore, it would be possible to ask another station ( not involved in the existing QSO) to QSY to 1001 and start a new QSO, without interrupting the existing one... e.g. G4ABC wants to chat to YZ2ABC, but there is a QSO already running on 1000... G4ABC will put YZ2ABC QSY 1001 K on the message box... YZ2ABC sees the message, and responds in his message box UP.. or SEE YOU THERE. or some acknowledgement.. then both stations move to 1001... NOTE>.. To remove messages ... delete by backspacing, or highlighting and backspace, then press SPACE BAR and then RETURN key... this.. in effect . puts a new message ( the space ) on the message box. A word about typing.... Some stations have removed all the CAPITAL LETTERS from their Morse Library ( tutorial Editing the morse library... Page 15 of this blog ).. this means that whatever is typed in capital letters, does not have the morse sound when received. Also.. when you type.. ( as an "over" ) you will not hear the sound of your typing in morse code. As is common practice, it is "good manners" to use "lower case" when typing, as this is "not shouting".. although it is only an advisory matter. Some Australian Post Office Telegraphists of the Landline era, still like to see the text in Upper Case, as that is what they used on their typewriters. Also when typing... you should still follow the conventions of the HF Amateur Radio operations, and "be nice to each other" ! ! ! most importantly... end your "typed over" with the letter K or AR as you would if sending morse.. to let the distant station know you have finished typing.!!
Enjoy yourself, 73`s Dit Dit ! ! .
G
M
T
Y
Text-to-speech function is limited to 200 characters
This is most important to do, early on, as it guides you through some pages of settings that make cwcom work properly for you,.
To start... open CWCOM. by clicking the icon on your desktop.
you will be presented with the "text screen"
The Following is a list of Settings & Configurations, that should be done on the FIRST RUN of cwcom.
Note.. If you run VMware or are trying to run cwcom inside a virtual box... it will not connect properly... In the case of VirtualBox.. there will be a significant keying/sound/decode delay, due to double processing of the signals.
In the case of VM ware.. you should disable it/them. In windows it is Control Panel > Network Connections. Once disabled, the program should show your correct IP address on the Connect Window and you should also appear on the IONOSPHERE site, once you are connected. First run Settings... Click on the "Configurations" icon... the one to the right of the Black Letter A Configurations window appears..... ( this is the first thing to click on, when starting CWCOM, after you have done these settings, to initiate the "comport" if you are using an external key)... see note below....
CWCOM CONFIGURATION WINDOW
___________________________________________
click on the Morse tab..... Untick "Flashing Light" on Transmit Untick "Flashing Light" on Receive Adjust the slider on "Incoming Morse Speed" to 70% ( This reduces "Buffering" on computer of incoming signals, and removes a long delay between overs) Adjust the "Incoming Morse Tone" to about 820 ( you can change this later on if you want) (This is a lower tone than default high pitch, which is much easier on the ears - and reduces"clipping" )
Note..... You can find the COMPORT number, in Windows, in, Control Panel> Device manager > Ports Com & LPT ( click on the > triangle to see the comport number) Your comport number will remain "selected" for the next time you start cwcom. BUT you will need to click on the Config icon, to select "COM Port" every time you start cwcom. If using an external key.
LINUX AND MAC users see special pages for instructions on setting the comport number . ___________________________________________________________________________________
Click on theTranslationtab.... Tick ( checkmark) Translate Text Only ( so three ticks in three boxes on that section) Adjust the speed to around 20 wpm. (this may seem fast... but... it speeds up the reception and decoding of typed messages from distant stations) . (also your ears will become accustomed to the speed, and it will help you to read faster morse by watching the screen at the same time ! ! ! )
Click on the "Morse Key" tab.... * you will need to click on this one, first, every time you start cwcom to select the "comport" if you are using an external key * If you are using the down arrow key... the Keyboard is the default setting, but you need to click the mouse cursor on the screen for it to be effective. If you are using an external key... checkmark the morse key section
Iambic for paddle
Manual for straight key (vertical key) For Iambic key... select "Looping Method" For Straight key.... select "Reset Method" If you want to use an external key... you need to read the instructions on page.5.... Connecting a Morse Key
Click on the Transmit tab..... Adjust the WPM to something near to your estimated speed. For Down Arrow... set about 10 wpm. For Paddle Key ... set to your estimated speed... but do not apply the "lock" For Straight Key..set to your estimated speed... For all types of key.... do a short test transmission... I suggest
BROWN BREAD TASTES BEST WITH BUTTER AND STRAWBERRY JAM....
KEEP GOING. DO NOT CORRECT ERRORS. the computer needs to read the timing of your sending to adjust the decode speed. Iambic key users... do not lock the result...but keep a note of the settings for future reference. Straight key users... when you have a good copy on screen, you can "lock" the speed. You may need to restart cwcom for this to take effect. You can also do this "off line" before connecting to the server on the "world icon" Click on CLOSE ___________________________________________________________________________________ Morse Mail is not used... ___________________________________________________________________________________ Click on the Speaker Iconand adjust the TX Pitch to about 820 ( lower tone than default high pitch and easier on the ears! ) ___________________________________________________________________________________ Click on the World icon.... to start using cwcom... BUT>>> do this first, for the first time only ! ! IMPORTANT...... Check the "Address" on the Remote Details
the Address box should read ......[ morsecode.dyndns.org ]
MAKE SURE THAT YOU
USE THE CORRECT "Remote Details" address. on the "Connect" window ... not [mrx.ham-radio-op.net]
You can now enter your callsign, or nick name, in the "Call Sign" box... and it will show when you are "on channel" and on the Ionosphere current user list. If you do not have a ham callsign, you can use your first name, or a "psuedonym", which will identify you "on channel" in the same way. NOW>... you are ready to communicate ! world wide.... using the old skill of Morse Telegraphy, as used on the ORIGINAL INTERNET in the late 1880 ` s ! ! .
Click the "configuration" icon between the black letter A and the Spkr icon
Choose your "morse key"... default is Keyboard... you can
type as normal, or you can use the Down Arrow as a straight key
(note.. when typing, you will not hear morse, but the receive
station will)
REMEMBER TO END YOUR TYPING WITH A K AS NORMAL QSO PROCEDURE, SO THE REMOTE STATION KNOWS WHEN TO ANSWER.
(choose Comport and the number selected if you are using
a USB to Serial Converter or the Serial Port to connect
your external key to the laptop/computer)
See page 5 ...
Close the "configuration" window by the X
(optional - next click the black letter A and choose your font
and font size - this only affects your screen, not the distant
screens)
Click the third icon from the black square... this is the
IONOSPHERE that shows the active channels, and any stations on
them
Click the "blue world" icon next to the black square... this is
the "connect" window .
You can put your callsign in the "callsign box".. and it will be
showing on the IONOSPHERE and also when you start transmitting .
Click the "Connect" box, and you will be connected to the
IONOSPHERE server, and be able to qso with others on channel.
Click the "Disconnect" box when finished using cwcom before
closing with the X
NOTE..... If you are using a paddle key,.. you need to change from Manual, (default) to Iambic. and if your morse comes out as a series of TTTT TT TTTT TTT T TTT T TTT , then you need to check your "Transmit" tab and the speed settings or to change from the default "Looping Method" to the Reset Method. Any Problems.... send me a detailed email
and I will get back to you with an answer ( hopefully ! ! !)...
G
M
T
Y
Text-to-speech function is limited to 200 characters
