![\"\"](\"http:\/\/vk2idl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/encoder_9.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe VK2IDL Morse Sender<\/strong> V1 <\/strong>came about more from a desire to build some interesting electronics projects rather than a need to actually send Morse code. I had studied Morse Code back in the 1980\u2019s as a requirement for my advanced AOCP and used it regularly enough to maintain a reasonable proficiency for a number of years. Having recently returned to amateur radio after a long absence, I started looking for on-line Morse training websites in the hope of recovering some of my proficiency. In the process I was curious to note that there were a number of commercially manufactured Morse decoder units available, although reports on their performance varied but there wasn’t much I could find in the way of Morse Senders. And so, the idea of building my own Morse Sender was born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My Morse Sender is base on a Arduino, specifically the Arduino Nano. While you could use any number of Arduino modules, I chose the Nano for its small size, which enabled a compact unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My original design brief was to create a device that allowed Morse Code to be sent by typing text on a keyboard rather than using a Morse key. It was initially targeting those who were new to Morse Code or who were no longer as proficient as they once were (for whatever reason). The interface included a keyboard adjustable Morse speed setting and a series of preset buffers, to speed up common conversational texts such as CQ calls and contact details etc. I later added hardware inputs to allow a manual key and a Morse Paddle to be connected, but they were initially intended as secondary options to using the keyboard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To use the keyboard function, the user needed to have the Arduino IDE running with the Mose Encoder connected via its USB port. Text typed on the PC’s keyboard would then be converted to Morse Code which the encoder would sent to your HF transmitter. The text was displayed in the ‘Monitor’ of the Arduino IDE.<\/p>\n\n\n While the keyboard option work quite well, it locked the device to the Arduino IDE which reduced its versatility (and portability). To make the device more portable I needed to add an in-built LCD to display the Morse being sent. This also required a software Morse decoder to decode and display live Morse from the paddle or straight key directly onto the LCD. To complete the portability requirements for those using a Morse Key, I also added a rotary control for adjusting the Morse Speed from 6 to 30 wpm (and removed this function from the keyboard). The unit is now completely portable for users who wish to send Morse by hand, but it can still be connected to the Arduino IDE (if the user prefers) to type their Morse code via a keyboard. The Morse Sender will generate Morse code from a straight key, a paddle or by typing text on a keyboard. The Morse is displayed on its own 4 line, 20 character LCD as it is being sent, making it particularly good for Morse practice as it gives live feedback on your accuracy. The knob-adjustable Morse speed control displays the selected speed setting on the LCD in wpm. When using a paddle, the timing of the dits, dahs and inter-element spacing is automatic based on the speed you have set. The unit is designed to directly drive the Morse key input of an HF radio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a future project, I’m considering adding a direct keyboard connection to completely eliminate the need for the Arduino IDE when typing Morse, but that will require a significant hardware change. In the mean time Ive preferred to keep it simple.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Below is short video showing the Morse Sender unit in operation. In this video I am sending Morse using a home-made paddle. The Sender unit is the lower device and is connected to the keyer input of my Yaesu HF transceiver. The device at the top is my prototype Morse Decoder unit which I will be releasing as separate project shortly. It decodes Morse from my Yaesu receiver and displays it on the LCD. In this case it is picking up the Morse feedback from the side tone of my Yaesu transmitter as I am sending Morse. As you can see the decoded Morse matches that of my Morse Sender. Also note that the software version in the video shows ver 1.4. The final release listed here is v2.0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/vk2idl.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen_Shot.jpg\")