cw software

[KB1IUI]

I ask this in the cw forum, but no answer. I basically have a head injury and w
ould like to do CW by computer. I have a recent laptop and a newish Yaseu 450d and a couple cw qrp rigs. Any suggestion on software to code and decode CW?
Mike

[VA7CPC]

If you have an interface for PSK31  (or if you can buy a SignaLink USB for about $100), the easiest way to do what you want to do:

1.  Install "fldigi" on the computer;

2.  Connect the computer to the SignaLink USB (or other interface), and the SignaLink USB to the FT-450 (use the rear panel 6-pin "DATA" jack on the FT-450).

3.  Set the fldigi mode to "MCW" (that may be a choice inside the "CW" menu).

4. [when you need the FT-450 settings, we can give them to you -- they're the same as the settings for PSK31]

Then, fldigi will send CW according to what you type (actually, a modulated audio tone) to the FT-450, and decode whatever it hears _from_ the FT-450.

The fldigi CW decoder will work well on strong, machine-sent CW signals (either paddle-sent, or computer-generated).  It will _not_ work well on weak signals, or on most "straight-key" CW.   So it's OK for contests, but terrible for Straight Key Night.

You can do the same job with  DM780 software (a part of the Ham Radio Deluxe software).

Both fldigi and DM780 are free.

.           Charles

PS -- there are other ways to send CW -- various "hard-keying" circuits that run off an RS-232 interface.   I'll let other people describe them.   But for "one-stop-shopping", what I just described is hard to beat.

[STAYVERTICAL]

I have tried it the way Charles has described, and it works fine.
If you go the USB-Signalink route, it comes up in the operating system (Windows etc) as "USB-Audio-Codec".
You need to set the digimode program(Fldigi, DM780 etc) input and output soundcard to this device to make it work with the USB-signalink.

You can also use other receive programs at the same time, just configure them to use USB-Audio-Codec as their input soundcard source.
In this way you can try other programs for receiving, and see which is the best for you.

Good luck and 73 - Rob

[VE3FMC]

Although I rarely use this setup it does work well.

SignaLink USB for decoding. K1EL Winkeyer USB for sending. It sends cw via the cw jack on the rig. Not MCW.

I use DM780. The problem with software for decoding is this. It can not decode sloppy CW. Forget copying code sent with a bug! If it is well spaced and sent properly then the software will do a decent job of copying.

Keyboard code is perfect, as long as you spell words properly  Perfectly spaced and perfect letters. Easy to copy. Like listening to W1AW.

[W0GLB]

I like the way that "fully integrated" way DM780 does CW, but as stated by others, it does not handle poorly sent CW well at all. Something a little simpler that I have used fairly successfully in the past is CWGet and CWType. You can get a look at them here:  http://www.dxsoft.com/en/products/
Good Luck, es 73,
Gordon W0GLB

[KB9UMT]

Hi Mike KB1IUI,

Although for other digital modes FLDIGI and HRD DM780 as others have mention work well they do not compare to a few others which are listed below for CW ...give them a try (all free to try). 


CW Decoder (totally FREE and very good!)
http://hotamateurprograms.com/downloads.htm
http://www.amqrp.org/projects/cwdecod/cwdecod.htm
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6771
(also the other software like the dsp filter, digital voice keyer, voice activated recorder, etc are all great programs too!)

MRP40 (30 day free trial, to purchase $49eur or around $70 depending on exchange at the time)
http://www.polar-electric.com/Morse/MRP40-EN/
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/5471

CW Skimmer (does a lot more than MRP40, 30 day free trail, to purchase $75)
http://www.dxatlas.com/CwSkimmer/
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/7573

I think one of these will work far better for you for CW.

GL
Don KB9UMT
www.30mdg.net (30 Meter Digital Group)