Learn Morse Code with VBand

[@AA0Z]

The CW I sent on this demo is accurate on how I send CW on the air! Sloppy! LOL VBand will make you better!

[@RedSummitRF]

hahaha totally! Me too for sure. This has helped me identify where I need to improve.

[@willian.direction6740]

You did recover near the end.

[@MartyMitchell92660]

Loving VBand! I started at 10 WPM, now I'm sending well at 25 WPM. I practice everyday for a bit, sometimes in Dummy Load Mode, and also have QSO's with other users. No software required as it is web-based, so bring up the page and start using VBand. 73 de N6ZAV.

[@RedSummitRF]

Totally agree Marty and that's great that you have improved so much! Another positive point, for me anyway, is that it's really quite fun on the site too.

[@WB3CAI]

I just had my first Vband QSO with Marty. I have only a few Chinese handhelds at present. Making a Morse contact was as much fun as it was in my Novice days over 40 years ago! SRI fer QLF SIGS

[@MartyMitchell92660]

@@WB3CAI Thanks for the contact Mark. Always fun meeting new hams on VBand!

[@ReedAB8AS]

I passed my 20 wpm 30 years ago and then I have been away from the hobby for several years. This looks like a great option to get my speed back up and hopefully my son who has his Tech will join me. Thanks Guys. Really Enjoyed this one.

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Alan - thank you! I hope this helps with your speed. How fun to have you son join in! Cool.

[@vaamorais]

Hi there, greetings from the UK! I recently started my CW journey with CWOPS and I am having a ball! I found this episode very interesting and useful. Is there a way to practice over the internet but instead of a computer is there a way to use your smartphone while out and about provided you have 4G service? Thanks

[@RedSummitRF]

hmm . . . I suppose you could use your phone's hotspot and connect the CW Hotline to it. I don't think there is a way to interface a cw paddle directly to your phone. This is a fascinating question though that warrants further exploration. I bet if you asked the guys at Ham Radio Solutions they would know . . . [e-mail]

[@Schlem]

I bought the VBand widget, and it's pretty keen. I know this isn't the forum, but I find that after using if for a while (30-50 characters?) it ceases to parse the timing of keying/paddling. All I get are E's and T's. I think it's a neato idea, but I haven't solved this, nor have I reached out to HRS. It makes communicating impossible for me.

[@RedSummitRF]

uh oh, that's a bummer. I know they have been working on latency for a long time. It seems to be the biggest issue, or at least was, back when I did this video, even though issues were not reported all that often.

[@mamaallen28]

Will the cable work with my ASUS laptop and Windows 11? I bought a USB keyer, (not made in USA), and it does not work. I will buy one from you, if you think it will work for me. I have a bencher paddle

[@RedSummitRF]

Sorry I can't help, but I was just the video host for this product. You'll need to contact support to find out. Thanks for watchin the video, though. send you question to [e-mail]

[@johnwhitt8915]

Looks great!! Thanks for creating this technology and sharing it with the world. 73, AI4FR

[@RedSummitRF]

Thank you for the kind words

[@terry.stafford]

How do you leave a channel? Can you set a channel as private in order to practice sending only?

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Terry - the "support" tab answers your questions I think. Thanks for visiting. How do I leave a channel? - Typically you leave a channel by selecting a new channel to join. You can also leave by refreshing the website. Practice Channel - The practice channel does not send your code beyond your computer. It can be used to practice sending and see how well you are decoded. hamradio.solutions/vband/

[@andyw3720]

I just got my dongle today. I’m experiencing too much latency for this to be practical. Any way around the lag?

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Andy - I know there were latency issues a while back but it was my understanding that it was solved. Your best bet is to send am email to Dave and see if there is something you can do [e-mail].

[@n2dabloo]

@@RedSummitRF I’ll reach out to him. Thanks

[@Ryan-ed1lq]

Awesome program! If you mute other operators, will they hear you transmit still? As in, if I wanted to talk to my friend and only my friend, would they be subjected to our conversation or will they be spared?

[@RedSummitRF]

I get what you are saying Ryan - now that I think about it more it would take some coordination from everybody in the room in order to share that room. If you mute other operators they can still hear you transmit, the way I understand it. So somehow you'd have to ask everybody to mute you and your friend. Not as simple as I first thought.

[@Ryan-ed1lq]

@@RedSummitRF understood, I appreciate your response.

[@jamesrodgers6472]

I was wondering if VBand will work on a much older laptop running Windows XP. I don’t plan to upgrade. One reason I never upgraded to a later Windows version was I was using my laptop to interface with some commercial RF gear.

[@RedSummitRF]

I haven't tested it but I don't see why not. If you haven't joined the VBand Discord you can reach the developers there, or form their website. They are very responsive. Try an email or let me know if you want an invite to the Discord channel.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Charlie, you rock. Thanks.

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks my friend!

[@dimitdamnit]

This is a GREAT tool for CW noobs! Thanks Red for getting the word out on the VBAND app!

[@RedSummitRF]

Thank you

[@jasoncary7957]

This isn't an app, it's actually a website. I saw your comment and went straight to my phone. I wish there was an app!

[@va3tfc194]

Thank you so much! VA3TFC 73

[@RedSummitRF]

Sure! Thanks for visiting my channel.

[@adrianfewster8391]

I just received two units and tested both in W10 and Debian 10 PC's and have found the performance erratic, Have spent hours trying to get it to work properly, keying disappears, or gets stuck etc, (contacts ok) , with occasional bursts of clear cw. I am struggling to get a CQ out. I have no issue with cw on my transceiver using cwget to monitor my send. The issue is worse in windows than linux. I am using google-chrome. Is there a better browser to use ? Windows 10 gave warning about not recognizing the usb device, and in linux I saw ; [242784.843939] usb 5-5: reset low-speed USB device number 17 using ohci-pci [242785.144603] usb 5-5: device descriptor read/64, error -62 [242785.583920] usb 5-5: device descriptor read/64, error -62 [242786.019916] usb 5-5: reset low-speed USB device number 17 using ohci-pci

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Adrian and thanks for reaching out. But I'm just the guy who did the interview. Your best bet is to send this info via email to [e-mail]. Thanks Charlie NJ7V

[@adrianfewster8391]

@@RedSummitRF I did, but wondered if any here viewing have had the same issue.

[@RedSummitRF]

@@adrianfewster8391 oh ok. 👍

[@adrianfewster8391]

@@RedSummitRF Video of issues here ; kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHymiIFpr7yBbJY

[@jasonchambers9914]

I was wondering what the VBAND adapter converts the audio input from the paddle into. Like does it convert it into either one of the [ ] keys, or does it convert it to computer clicks? I just modified a key with the help of an old computer mouse, and converted it to work with some other CW websites. Would this work instead? Will this adapter convert the audio input from the key into a space/period/enter/I/ or any other keys?

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi TNH and thanks for watching the video. I think if you send this question over to the developers they will reply with a good answer [e-mail] I honestly don't know that answer myself. Thanks for visiting the channel!

[@V4L1K.]

Tnx for this site! He very improve my skill in cw tx and rx. 73 de UR5SAF!

[@RedSummitRF]

Thank you!

[@robertwolf4043]

Awesome! Just what I was looking for. Can't wait to get my USB Paddle Interface!

[@RedSummitRF]

Great! I hope you have fun on VBand. It's a great community and there is a cool Discord group too!

[@NamasenITN]

Audio does not work with Safari web browser on macOs. I have however successfully tested with Chrome.

[@RedSummitRF]

Yeah - it was built for use with Chrome and Firefox. But the creator is a Mac developer. Shoot him an email, if it's important to you, and maybe he'll come up with a fix if enough people ask.

[@PatrickClark36]

VM's you have to 'allow' the guest to take the device from the host.

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks for the info Patrick

[@volkmarprivat6076]

Thanks a lot for the great website.

[@RedSummitRF]

Glad you like it!

[@mechteacher798]

I found you on a TV search, went to you tube. You video was a little hard to find on my computer. I think you guys did a woderful thing putting this together. I will be ordering a keyer from you. Thank you again.

[@RedSummitRF]

Thank you for checking it out. I hope you enjoy it.

[@rdmsh]

Love the practice mode, really helping me learn and improve

[@RedSummitRF]

Yeah I really like VBand for practice. It's a great tool.

[@eugenecbell]

I got online with the VBand and the CTRL Key, it worked well enough. My brother-in-law got on as well. We could not communicate and will learn Morse code now, so we can. It was awesome. I ordered the USB-Key interface. Thank you!

[@RedSummitRF]

That's cool Eugene. Good for you to want to start learning Morse code. I hope you stick with it! It can be a bit discouraging for some. But you sound committed. Have fun on your journey.

[@RichNH]

Just found out about VBand the other day and ordered the USB interface. Looks to be a great way to improve my sending and my speed. Thanks for a great video.

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Rich - thanks. Yes it has really taken off and is a great supplement to the learning efforts of folks.

[@geoffreylotz3661]

It is just a pity that the only payment channel available is through PayPal, and that shipping to me in western Europe is about 40 dollars for a 25 dollar piece of kit. An excellent idea well executed in every other respect.

[@RedSummitRF]

Yes, I can see how that would be frustrating. If you are interested I can help you get a dongle in your hands a little cheaper. Ping me in private on one of the social media platforms and I'll explain.

[@geoffreylotz3661]

@@RedSummitRF I capitulated and took a knee before Paypal and ordered one...the shipping worked out to $18 so...its done. Now to extricate myself from the clutches of Paypal again.....thanks for the offer though. I tried a hack with a USB mouse but it wasnt too successful for paddle ops....no problem. I am happy to support the manufacturer. Paypal....not so much.

[@DE2TRF]

wow klasse tipps video danke 73 de DE2TRF

[@RedSummitRF]

Danke fürs Zuschauen 73

[@ky4tgtodd203]

Awesome! This looks really cool! I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for sharing!

[@RedSummitRF]

I hop on with a friend on Thursday evenings to practice. It's an awesome tool.

[@cgispdx]

Red, thank you for putting this video on. I'm looking forward to using this with my brother who is trying to get his license.

[@RedSummitRF]

I really like it. I hope you find it helpful. Learning CW is challenging but well worth the effort.

[@Lurkan01]

Great discovery this video and this tool, thank you very much for spreading it and I hope that one day we will find ourselves doing SOTA and have an S2S. 73

[@RedSummitRF]

Thank you Lurkan - that would be fantastic to get an S2S with you. Let's make it happen!

[@CWfist]

Hi, I just discovered it now, how has it helped you so far? thinking on giving it a try 73

[@alzeNL]

despite the god awful intro, this is fantastic ! what a great way to learn - thank you !

[@RedSummitRF]

Yeah the intro wasn't my best piece of work for sure. I have to agree. Thanks.

[@alzeNL]

@@RedSummitRF as a UK denzian, do i have to contact you via email for the dongle price ? thanks :) 2E0FWE

[@RedSummitRF]

@@alzeNL that's right. Please email [e-mail]

[@rufus0333]

Can I set up Winkeyer to work with this instead of an adapter?

[@RedSummitRF]

I'm not sure. You should hit up the support tab on the site hamradio.solutions/vband/. The creator should have an answer for you.

[@redshiftcnc]

Cool. I just ordered one of the little interface deals. Looks like a good way to learn/practice

[@RedSummitRF]

Sounds great. Yes I think it's helpful. You can also easily make one for about $6 with a digispark. Either way I think it's better than using the keyboard, although I have a friend who likes the keyboard.

[@JT-py9lv]

What a GREAT learning tool

[@RedSummitRF]

Indeed!

[@RedSummitRF]

Indeed!

[@FFdo.]

its amazing how simply and difficult to understand this is. you send using [ ] keys in Mac keyboard but I can't seem to find how to stop the automatic sending

[@RedSummitRF]

Interesting. I've not used it on Mac. Have you tried the CTRL keys to send? Are you saying when you press a [ or ] the dits and dahs are sent continuously and won't stop?

[@websurferx]

I recommend using the left and right CTRL keys as it's easier for the app to interpret the on/off state. However, this can be a little awkward to operate and requires two hands on a standard keyboard. You could try mapping the [ and ] keys to the CTRL keys using AutoHotkey as a workaround. Really, the best solution is to use a key and connect it to a microcontroller that emulates a USB keyboard. The vband guys sell one or you can roll your own.

[@SammYLightfooD]

As a complete beginner I must say this site is great! Thanks!

[@RedSummitRF]

Great to hear Steve. I have gotten some great use out of it myself. Good luck on improving your CW.

[@Blue-Collar-Radio]

Looks like a great learning tool. Thank you for sharing this 👍

[@RedSummitRF]

Thank you

[@Photoeye65]

Just ordered the VBand Paddle Interface.

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Jeff- that's great. I hope this works out for you as a good resource. I really like VBand.

[@willian.direction6740]

Great video on getting more ops up to speed on cw.

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks Ian!

[@lyledal]

Looking forward to giving this a try!

[@RedSummitRF]

It's great, but having the dongle and using a CW paddle rather than the keyboard makes all the difference.

[@chrisruff3392]

really awesome, ordered my dongle yesterday!

[@RedSummitRF]

Good move on getting that dongle. Using the keyboard is not ideal. This is a great way to learn CW! Thanks for visiting the channel. 73

[@eugenecbell]

Great work, I can't wait to get mine.

[@RedSummitRF]

So you ordered your interface?

[@mabo4848]

Thanks.. great

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks!

[@truckinghamk1dok677]

FANTASTIC!

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi John - thanks for catching the video. VBand can be a lot of fun!

[@malenve6vid]

Great video Charlie. Cheers Malen

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks Malen - it's the forth tab, the "about" tab, on the main site hamradio.solutions/vband/

[@malenve6vid]

@@RedSummitRF I saw that after posting. Email sent already.

[@KB1HQS]

Awesome!

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks Stu

[@billdowns2213]

So how do I get started? What's a beta tester? Thanks

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Bill - you start by hopping in a room and listening. You'll need to order or make a single to use your own cw paddle. Otherwise you can send cw with your keyboard. Are you a beginner, intermediate, or advanced cw op?ops? I think beta testing for VBand has ended.

[@billdowns2213]

@@RedSummitRF I am a total newbie to Amateur Radio. I am hoping to learn everything I can with the time God provides me on this earth.

[@RedSummitRF]

@@billdowns2213 oh OK! Great. So if you want to learn CW this is a good supplemental tool but you won't find any lessons or instructions on learning. I recommend looking into free online classes offered by the Long Island CW Club. They use VBand for their classes.

[@billdowns2213]

@@RedSummitRF Thank you. I will look into it.

[@buddyadelsberger5083]

29.00 total dollars on the site

[@RedSummitRF]

ah yeah, for the dongle. True. Or you can make your own for about $5

[@buddyadelsberger5083]

@@RedSummitRF not if you do not have the talent (ability). I got mine in the mail yesterday. and find it interesting

[@WaltsMUSTANGPEELINGPAINTDIYREP]

i would like to know the frequency of each channel , 1.2.3.4. and band tks

[@RedSummitRF]

It depends on your wifi capabilities (2.4GHz or possibly 4.8GHz) and your ethernet hardline and encoding (anywhere from 10GHz to 80GHz)

[@leonardopagliaro1725]

LO PODRIAN TRADUCIR AL CASTELLANO

[@RedSummitRF]

no thank you