A Better Way to Send Morse Code

Straight keys are popular with some hams, but not everyone enjoys them. And not everyone can send good Morse code with a straight key. A better option is a simple sideswiper key (also known as a Cootie.) The motion required is short, very repeatable, and easy to learn.
Add an electronic keyer and you have a sweet way to send code with good rhythm, which teaches good habits, and enables picking up speed quickly. This video details how to build an economical electronic keyer that will send properly-formed dits and dahs from 5 words per minute to more than 35 words per minute.
C W Morse paddles and keys: cwmorse.us/
Picaxe microcontrollers: picaxe.com/
Tallahassee Amateur Radio Society December 2012 newsletter: k4tlh.net/wp-co...

[@Larry-AK0Z]

Electronics is so much fun. Thanks

[@phillipmorris1334]

HELLO FROM THE VIBRANT RAINY OZARKS WHERE THE CRAPPIE ARE BITING AT MY pretent crawfish!! very interesting with the usual detail that is fascinating and encouraging to learn more of the morris code! i can see this would be a great asset in the future as the gov, control more of the airways and communications , brutal storms in the area, or other emergencies. great to enjoy your uplifting videos again while enjoying my fresh roasted hot columbian!! tight lines and grace be with you both!!

[@ImnotChuck.]

Hello Phillipp. You make me hungry talking about crappie. Maybe next time I am out that way, we can wet a line together.

[@phillipmorris1334]

@@ImnotChuck. you bet and tour the the lake this time!!

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Very great presentation, thank you

[@ImnotChuck.]

Thanks for watching and commenting. I like making electronic projects.

[@nottthereyet4872]

This is so cool! It always fascinates me. I have the chart but would love to learn to actually use it.

[@ImnotChuck.]

There is no reason not to give it a try. It used to be a requirement in order to get a ham license, but no more. Thanks for watching.

[@dennismasson2938]

Hi, I'm not chuck, Love the Keyer that you have put together. I was a radio operator on a destroyer almost some 48 years ago, and haven't really touched it since then. (use it or loose it)I loved learning CW way back in time and would love to relearn it. Would love to see a Kit package. Also does your keyer actually do any real transmitting. and is there a receiver portion to go with it so that a person could transmit and receive to/from others? Love your web site, keep up the great work. Dennis, Ontario Canada.

[@ildarmingazov2304]

Hey there! Good job Thanks for sharing Have nice day! Bye for now

[@Anvilshock]

Needs more overexposure. There are still parts in the picture that are not completely white. Good info, though. Sadly, the k4tlh site seems terminated.

[@kybagul88]

Please send all schematic diagram & eeprom code

[@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures]

Great Video Charles!

[@ImnotChuck.]

Hi Chuck. Thanks for watching and for the compliment.

[@franklinsanchez7984]

Hello OM. Where can I find your schematic , etc. I would like to give it a try. Thanks

[@schalec]

Hey not Chuck, great video, where do you provide the schematics an code that you mentioned?

[@ImnotChuck.]

As you noted, I shut my web site down, which is where the files were located. The circuit used a PICAXE controller, which are increasingly hard to get in the US. So, I am redesigning the circuit to use a AT Tiny 85 module. I hope to have a video up soon. Thanks for watching and for your interest.

[@pepelucchini5649]

​@@ImnotChuck.2:56 2:57

[@johndo7742]

@ImnotChuck Thanks for the video. Can you explain please how the connection of the keyer works for an older rig that doesn't have an internal keyer? E.g. I have an Icom 735. Also, the voltage across the key jack varies according to the rig. So I think my Kenwood TS-830 puts 9 volts across the plugged in key. Thanks again. John

[@ImnotChuck.]

Hi John. I am not familiar with the Icom 735., so what I am about to write is general information. My keyer simply provides a ground to the connected transmitter when the key is down, exactly like a traditional manual key would do. So the attached transmitter does not need any special circuitry; all the hardware and software to produce the dits and dahs and the audio is included in the keyer. Thanks for watching and thanks for your interest. 73 de KJ4FX

[@johndo7742]

Thanks for the lucid explanation,@@ImnotChuck., got it!

[@frankartieta4887]

OH BOY :) this a great video :)

[@ImnotChuck.]

Well, thanks a bunch for the nice comment. And I appreciate you watching. 73