MacMorseTutor version 0.00001

As part of my elaborate procrastination about learning morse code I've started writing my own tutor program for MacOS X. So far it sounds out the text you type in a field, displaying the character it just played after the audio.

It is available for your evaluation pleasure here.

This is just the start, planned features are:

• Drill characters by playing and then displaying them.
• Test by playing and then having me type the letter.
• Give positive and negative feedback after typing the letter.
• Controls for speed and spacing.

I know almost nothing of Cocoa programming but I find it a very easy environment to work in. Can't wait for WWDC.

Morse code at Manly Warringah Radio Society

Attended a Wednesday meeting of the MWRS. Great fun, a lovely group of blokes. I asked about learning Morse code and was treated to a live demo which included a contact with someone in Texas.

Pictured here is (if I've got this right) Russel Clarke VK2BYN and, on the iambic keyer, Yves Bernier VK2AUJ.

Russel confirmed that there's no easy way to learn Morse, I was so hoping for a pointer to the tape I could play under my pillow while asleep that would have me wake up with the knowledge.

On another topic, my thanks to Mike Bell from the home brew group for very kindly posting me some 3.6884Mhz crystals so I'd have no excuse not to build the 80M challenge.

Learning Morse Code, MorseBlog anyone?

I'm learning Morse Code. It's hard getting started.

Amazingly, given that it's no longer required for Amateur radio, there is a lot of morse to be heard on the HF bands.

Last week I bought a key (pictured) on eBay. There is a ton of software around to help and that seems to be a good way to go. For now, I'm using Koch Method CW Trainer from G4FON along with the companion program KochRx.

In these programs it sends from a given number of letters and you type in what you hear. When you start going mad, you stop and it compares what you typed with what was sent and tells you how far you got before an error.

I'm keen to learn the code at high speed (but with big gaps for now) so I can scale up in the future.

What I'm looking for is software that:

• Teaches a character by playing the sound and showing (or speaking) the character
• Plays the sound and I type the character
• Rewards me if I get it right
• Corrects me when I get it wrong
• Reviews characters already learnt
• Repeat, adding more characters
  

So far I haven't found this, any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

When I learned to touch type, I did a course. It was tedious but the group helped me get through it. There's lots of on-air practice, but I'm no where near that stage yet.

This post was brought to you by the letters K, M and R. -.-, --, ._. (which is all I have so far).