Practice QSO with a Virtual CW Bot

The Ham Radio Solutions website has a virtual CW band where you can communicate and QSO with others. You don't need to be a licensed ham to use it. The feature I show in the video is the QSO with a bot for practice. I hope you enjoy this one!
Learning Morse code is a journey that's different for everyone. Whether you're an experienced operator or a beginner, there are many ways to learn and improve your skills. I'm open to trying any tool or resource that can help me on my journey. So even if you're an experienced ham, some of these new resources can benefit you too.
Accessories used in the video:
V-Band USB Paddle Interface:
hamradio.solutions/vband/
Apple USB-C to USB Adapter:
Amazon or Apple Store
Apple Lightning to USB Camera adapter:
Amazon or Apple Store
#morsecode #hamradio #cw #qrp #qrpradio

[@Lyndon_K]

What a great video! I really like your style and pacing. 🙂 Great job!

[@themarconian]

Thanks for the encouragement, Lyndon! I'm glad you liked it! My videos will evolve, and I hope to cement my style and way of presentation.

[@AaronDengler]

Very good presentation. Thanks for sharing and 73.

[@themarconian]

Many thanks and 73!

[@markhomesteader3813]

Thanks for this. Going to try. 73!

[@themarconian]

Have fun and 73!

[@joebidet2050]

I looked up that palstar keyer 375 dollars !!! 😂 Insane

[@themarconian]

Looks like they went up in price. I bought mine 3 years ago and I remember it was expensive. I can’t recall how much I paid but it wasn’t $375. Wow!

[@joebidet2050]

@@themarconian thanks reply I'll keep my aea morse matic Lol

[@stevet7522]

Excellent video. I have that same rotring pencil, they are amazing.

[@themarconian]

Nice! I like Rotring. I also have a Rotring pen too. Maybe it will find itself in a future video! 😊

[@radioredoctober]

very nice ! tnx *73

[@antonioliriololi]

No encuentro ese conector USB.... Pero hay unos parecidos en aliexpress.... Servirán éstos?

[@poonnawat9178]

Amazing content! Would it be possible to connect the audio cable directly to laptops or ipads that have an audio port? 73

[@themarconian]

Hello, and thanks for the question. I'm only familiar with my current setup, so I don't know if I can answer your question accurately. But, if I understand your question correctly, just connecting an audio cable directly without an INTERFACE will probably not work. The featured VBAND adapter is an INTERFACE device that uses a micro USB to allow you to connect a key to send morse code on the virtual band website. However, the Virtual band website allows you to use a keyboard as a paddle or straight key, so if you can rewire an old mouse or keyboard and connect it to a key, that should work. I believe there are tutorials on KZbin showing how to build it. If someone else is reading this comment and can answer your questions more accurately, I'm sure they will chime in. Hope this helps!

[@poonnawat9178]

@@themarconian Thanks for the useful information!

[@themarconian]

Anytime!

[@johngriswold]

Thanks for informing people of options. Ignore the self-absorbed “experts”. I suspect you already do…

[@DXJungle]

73 EE

[@user-ge9yh6qc3h]

An adapter and another adapter and another… 😀

[@Anvilshock]

Because why use other people's standards when you can make up your own, and make up overpriced off-white versions of it, too!

[@glempy]

Why not just get on the air and talk with a real person? It's less expensive than your equipment. Isn't getting on the air the whole idea? Practice is meant to be with a person.

[@themarconian]

Fair question. Why not just learn by trial-by-fire and get on the air? Plenty of people have done it that way. True. I can't argue with that. So yes, it is not necessary to use the bot. Consider this a training tool. Tools are helpful for some, and I can attest it was useful for me. The bot is a practice tool especially useful for beginners learning CW protocol. The VBAND website also has "channels" to communicate and practice with real people. It's not to replace on-air communication. This tool is also handy for people that can't get on-air practice because of propagation issues or HOA antenna limitations. This was true for me once, and spending time with the bot and practicing CW with others on the website allowed me to practice my CW until I could get on the air. Getting on the air is the ultimate goal. Thank you for your comment. 73!

[@glempy]

@@themarconian have taught hundreds of CW students, and every one of them who considered vband or Zoom as a training tool have no regular presence on the air. There is no need to train for on the air. Vband and Zoom are not training tools. They're an illusion of competence. Thanks for the reply. 73

[@themarconian]

@@glempy Very interesting. Thank you for your insight. 73!

[@FreddyNietzsche.]

@@glempy VBand has the advantage that it is available 24 hours per day, for as long as one pleases. In my opinion it is definitely a training tool, one of many, just as much as G4FON or MorseRunner.

[@haramanggapuja]

Sure did pick the right key! The Begali Spark is the best solid straight key you can find. 73 de W8IJN

[@themarconian]

Yes sir. I'm glad I have the Spark and enjoy using it. I've tried other straight keys, but the Spark is my go-to and favorite straight key. This key is superb! 73!