I used the old 73 magazines code tapes. What ever works to get the basics, then get on the air - there are a ton of Slow Speed nets where bad/errored code is more tolerated. Machines work to decode machine generated code over a noise free path and strong signal strength - most of the time. (shrug) I really think this is one of those "You get it or you don't" activities in life. Like curling, only with radios...
Hey Frank, I always pictured you as a welder, not a solderer but good job on getting it working! It always pays to RTFM with these kits. You should try a QRP-Labs QDX or QCX Mini... They are 10lbs of stuff in a 5 lb bag and you really need to RTFM...!
If this featured 20 minutes of silliness isn't enough to satiate your YouTube addiction, here's another video for you: It's just shy of an hour in length. Of particular note: In demonstrating the unit's "dictate" mode, the developer stated "I don't even know what an 'F' is..." (in Morse code). Developer refers to "long" and "short" instead of the more familiar "dit" and "dah" or "dot" and "dash." He also mentioned he leaves his unit set at 5 WPM "...because I don't really know Morse code that much." So what we have here is the developer (Frank's step-father), Frank, and Jason - none of whom can be honestly described as accomplished Morse code operators - hawking a device to "learn" Morse code. An interesting stew. Dit-dit, or should I say, "short-short" Welcome to 2022.
The OP video is about the BUILD-- and that's what I enjoyed watching. To wit: "I build the newest Morse Code practices Kit..."
The contrast in complexity between this 2022 "BUILD" and novices in the '60s building their kits is striking. How on Earth did we ever manage without YouTube?
Have either of you happened to notice this kit is not a radio? It is for learning CW only, and code practice. You can not compare it to th QCX mini, which is a radio. Do you actually respond without even viewing the clip or reading about the kit?
Agree with rule number one : get on the air ! ... it's the best learning tool. In my case, joining SKCC also has helped me a lot. As for this kit, indeed a bit expensive, it may be fun building it, but there are cheaper methods. Check out the OST Morse Box (links below), we designed it for our club members that learn CW but have some stage fright to get on HF. It's basically a circuit that lets you transmit tone CW on 2m or 70cm, while retaining normal voice operation (automatic switchover). But it contains much more, like a built in touch paddle with iambic A and B modes, random generator, beacon keye, etc ... see the readme file on github. Boards can be ordered from China for a low price, a fully populated project PCB will cost less than 25$ (maybe depending on what you have in your junk box There is a basic version: https://github.com/on7dq/OST-Morse-Box and an expanded version adding a CW decoder and basic tone generator (pure sine wave) https://github.com/on7dq/OST-Morse-Box-DG I have also a few videos on my YouTube channel, introduction is here: 73 Luc oN7DQ/KF0CR
And you’re surprised? It’s just another typical and par for the course uninformed ham You Tuber 1 hour shill informercial. SMH..
Will do. The QCX is a bit unique in that it displays received and sent code, so you get a pretty good indication of your fist and spacing.
'Novices' from 60+ years ago were, for the most part, building 'point to point' kits or their own versions, with wires routing from one island-universe of a tube to the next, with capacitors , inductors, and resistors floating in space between pin contacts and strips. The OP shows a well done, relaxed, PCB build without too much heat and nicely shiny results. You can learn a lot about soldering by watching.
This might answer your Question Live stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL8NkCBJROk Menu Instructions:
Did you read my full post? Why buy a 'cw trainer' for $90, when you can get a full up radio - one with cw practice mode - for ~$56? It makes no sense to me, and perhaps, many others. YMMV/
' A vertically integrated, 'all in the family' pimp-o-matic UTOOB machine? I had no idea of the family relationships. I wish YTOOB would require posters of video content reveal their association with the product/vendor in the video. It is even worse for folks pushing long term storage foods and supplies.
