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write your own review of the MRP40 Morse Decoder.
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EI8KF
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Rating: 1/5
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Feb 3, 2013 13:39
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A waste of money
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This is expensive software that really hasn't performed as well as other 'FREE' programs since I bought the full version.
I've had a number of problems since I bought it the latest problem being that it crashed and requires a reboot to relaunch the program. I've noticed that at times it simply doesn't decode, despite the presence of a strong signal. CwGet's AutoGTM never fails in locking on to a signal and gives reasonable copy at any speed, MRP40 doesn't always manage this which means I have to manually play with the settings before it starts to decode. I'm not sure why there are options for decoding different strength signals either? How do you determine which is weak signal or otherwise and select the option accordingly?? Again, not an issue with CwGet, it simply decodes as best as it can given the conditions. And there are better filtering options in CwGet!
The interface is very poor and really needs to be updated. It looks ancient alongside other radio applications and appears to be written for BBC computers! It certainly doesn't have the sophistication or styling of Ham Radio Deluxe!!
I found MRP40 to be a disappointment given the cost of the software, my advice, save your money and use any of the free options easily found on the web.
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N5RMS
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Rating: 2/5
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Dec 9, 2012 19:34
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Decodes well
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Tried it during ARRL 160 and 10 meter contest. Decoded well. I started logging using the minilog. Ran a few contacts and checked the minilog. I could find no way to open an .ADIF file with this program. Had to use N1MM import function. Log did not record frequency, but did record band, but not MODE! Figured out how to use this program with N1MM for logging. Used audio input mode for MRP40, and just let it decode CW and manually logged into N1MM. Could send CW using N1MM thru comport and keyboard. I think I will look at CWSkimmer and other programs before I shell out $60.
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K3GC
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Rating: 2/5
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Nov 16, 2012 11:12
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Not For Me
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have tried MRP40 twice over time comparing it to cwget. Its functionality I rate good. It does as good a decoding job as CWget and there it stops.
The cost is prohibitive - about the same as the much better CW Skimmer which itself is a bit over priced.
I rebuild systems fairly often so the licensing scheme is a real deal breaker.
I have too many better places to put limited resources.
Not for me.
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ON6KE
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Rating: 3/5
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Sep 14, 2012 23:48
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mm..
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have CW Skimmer installed for several years now, it's a great help during contests.
I ran across MRP40 the other day and thought why not try it out side by side with CW Skimmer.
It doesn't even come close to CW Skimmer:
1. no simultaneous decoding, CW Skimmer does 100's, MRP40 just 1
2. decode is inferior to CW Skimmer
3. set level required on 'oscillogram'
4. text formatting is dated
5. fixed size windows
Glad I didn't put my money on MRP40 so many years ago.
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WA2TGE
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Rating: 4/5
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Aug 13, 2012 20:09
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Nice addition to my shack
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have been using this software for two years and when I compare it to any other products it shows well. I have been pleasantly surprised with both cw and mcw transmission. While I don't use the type ahead buffer, it is available. I like the ability to type on the keyboard and have the text sent immediately. I use the decoding function when the cw is sent at a speed faster than I can copy. I have found that its decoding accuracy improves dramatically when the rf gain is backed down. This is probabably true for all cw decoders. Generally, the faster the cw, the better it decodes. Slow code allows more time for the agc to recover and put noise between the characters. There are some sloppy operators out there that can only be copied manualy, if at all. If the CW op can send with some degree of proficiency, this unit will copy it. My only complaint is the level of the documentation. Would prefer more information.
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W4JPA
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Rating: 0/5
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Aug 2, 2012 10:32
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Not for me
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I wanted to compare this program to CwGET and a couple of other CW decoders.
1/ I had to wait an increasingly frustrating amount of time to open the program.
2/ When it came up could see the incoming Morse characters very well defined. But the text decode didn't show at all or random characters appeared!
I guess this guy is protecting his program but I am old fashioned & have no problem paying for something I like. But when I cant test the thing to see what I am getting for my money - well tough luck - I don't want it.
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XE2NBW
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 8, 2012 08:24
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Excelent and work great!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I used this to decode CW position from a Balloon and send to APRS, The MRP40 work fantastic and decode a lot of the valid paquets from CW, i used a single packet like: XE2NL/B DL95UQ 2000 FT 43 where last two digit are the checksum error, this message is get by DDE from MRP40, and a my own program CWIgate post to APRS server.
Yo can view working at: (min 4:03 and up)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F0omlcQGiU
you can view the tracking at:
http://aprs.fi/?call=xe2nl-11&mt=roadmap&z=11&timerange=3600&_s=ss_call
The best CW decoder in the world!
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WA2TGE
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 21, 2012 13:27
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Great tool used correctly!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Been using this program for over a year now. I am good decoding to 20 - 22 wpm when the code is sent well. When the code is lousy or too fast MRP saves me a lot of time. I have compared the decoding function to CW Skimmer running both MRP and CW Skimmer simultaneously and MRP decoded more character correctly than CW Skimmer in my test. Sending is a a favorite part for me in that it makes my RA hands sound great. The keyboard gives me no difficulty at all where the SK, paddles and bugs make it very difficult to continue sending good CW after a few minutes. MRP functions either as immediate-keying or in type-ahead mode (pressing a send key when ready to transmit.) Macro capability make it suitable for contesting. It also offers a primitive loging function that saves time also. The learning curve is not steep but it will take a while to learn how to use the software with your radios. Keeping the RF gain backed off is critical to good decoding. I think it well worth the money. I think the support is great.
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N4SRQ
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 9, 2012 12:25
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Good if you have poor CW skills
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Works for me. It has been a great program to help me in the CW environment. Until I become more proficient in my own copying skills I will depend on this program to make up for my shortcomings. As a frequent computer upgrader, my email requests for a new unlock key have always been provided within 24 hours. Yes, it is expensive but it can help the CW weary in building their skills. Hopefully when I retire I can dedicate the time to to getting off of this nice program.
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N5EP
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Rating: 3/5
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Sep 15, 2011 14:54
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A bit pricey, unacceptable licensing scheme
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I tried the 30-day free trial and found that the software does a pretty good job of decoding CW signals in a variety of HF band conditions. It certainly does a better decoding job than Fldigi.
(Incidentally, over the course of the 30-day trial period, the software imposes a gradually-increasing delay in how long it takes for the software to load and then be available for use. Toward the end of the trial I had to wait three minutes after double-clicking on its start-up icon! This feature won't affect those who purchase the software, but I found that it only served as an annoyance that hindered my purpose of evaluating the software. What was the point of doing that?)
I was mainly interested MRP40 for use with some DX operators who are real speed demons, so I wasn't planning on using it on a regular basis as a substitute for increasing my own copying ability (currently about 15-17 wpm). So I found the price (currently 49.9 Euros, which is about $79 U.S.) to be more than it was worth for me personally.
The real negative for me is the way it is licensed. From what I've read in other reviews, any time you need to reinstall it, or if you upgrade or reconfigure your PC (e.g., get a new PC, or replace the hard drive or other important part in your existing PC) you have to email the software author to get a new software key). I find that unacceptable since there is no guarantee that the author will be around forever. One should be able to uninstall the software and install it on a new PC without having to check with the mother ship!
For those two reasons, I decided not to make the purchase. Nevertheless, others might not care about those factors, and it is a good Morse decoder. I did not attempt to use it to send CW, since I'm not interested in doing that.
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