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Author Topic: PreppComm MMX MultiBand Morse Code Tranceiver  (Read 452 times)

N4SRN

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PreppComm MMX MultiBand Morse Code Tranceiver
« on: May 09, 2022, 02:51:03 AM »

https://www.preppcomm.com/

As reviewed in the May 2022 QST issue.

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Bret/N4SRN
Bedford, NH  USA

W6MK

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Re: PreppComm MMX MultiBand Morse Code Tranceiver
« Reply #1 on: May 09, 2022, 11:44:12 AM »

One wonders about the attraction of what is essentially a data mode which uses Morse Code protocol.

I don't think it's a CW mode. CW, historically and practically, means there is a critical human link (or two).
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W1VT

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Re: PreppComm MMX MultiBand Morse Code Tranceiver
« Reply #2 on: May 09, 2022, 12:20:40 PM »

There are a lot of hams with USA Tech privileges.
The only data mode they have on HF is 10M, which for the past few years, has not offered reliable propagation for most USA hams.

But, USA Techs do have useful CW privileges on 80, 40, and 15 meters.  200 watts and access to areas of the band with high activity.

I have worked new hams with low power data privileges all over the world, but in the past few years, it has been easier to work
them on 80 or 40 meters compared to 10 meters.
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W6MK

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Re: PreppComm MMX MultiBand Morse Code Tranceiver
« Reply #3 on: May 09, 2022, 12:38:30 PM »

USA Techs do have useful CW privileges on 80, 40, and 15 meters.  200 watts and access to areas of the band with high activity.

So it may matter whether or not machine Morse is "officially" CW or a data mode.

My guess is that most Tech license holders are completely inactive on HF and not particularly interested.
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N4SRN

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Re: PreppComm MMX MultiBand Morse Code Tranceiver
« Reply #4 on: May 09, 2022, 03:20:56 PM »

One wonders about the attraction of what is essentially a data mode which uses Morse Code protocol.

Yes, the purpose is stated as EmComm (or PreppComm, in this case) data communication with just a keyboard, QRP transceiver, battery and antenna - no CPU like other data modes. A KX1, battery and antenna will do just as well - if you can send/copy Morse Code yourself.
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Bret/N4SRN
Bedford, NH  USA

N6YWU

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Re: PreppComm MMX MultiBand Morse Code Tranceiver
« Reply #5 on: May 11, 2022, 11:31:10 PM »

USA Techs do have useful CW privileges on 80, 40, and 15 meters.  200 watts and access to areas of the band with high activity.

So it may matter whether or not machine Morse is "officially" CW or a data mode.

Probably fits the legal FCC description of A1A.

And all the contesters who use automated logging program replies and keyers with macros will claim to be operating CW, not digital.  Even using Morse Code skimmers is considered "assisted" CW operating, not a data mode.  Plus W1AW code practice broadcasts.
« Last Edit: May 11, 2022, 11:36:10 PM by N6YWU »
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N6YWU

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Re: PreppComm MMX MultiBand Morse Code Tranceiver
« Reply #6 on: May 11, 2022, 11:34:48 PM »

... data communication with just a keyboard, QRP transceiver, battery and antenna - no CPU like other data modes.

The PreppComm unit has an embedded CPU inside.  You could do that with other data modes as well, for instance FT8 on an embedded Raspberry Pi Zero W 2 inside the transmitter box, or a tiny FSK transceiver run from an iPhone app.
« Last Edit: May 11, 2022, 11:37:11 PM by N6YWU »
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AE0Q

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Re: PreppComm MMX MultiBand Morse Code Tranceiver
« Reply #7 on: May 13, 2022, 09:34:29 PM »

Yes, the purpose is stated as EmComm (or PreppComm, in this case) data communication with just a keyboard, QRP transceiver, battery and antenna - no CPU like other data modes. A KX1, battery and antenna will do just as well - if you can send/copy Morse Code yourself.

They don't claim it has no CPU, in fact they say "a few microprocessors".  By the way, even a KX1 has a microprocessor in it, a PIC16F876A.

An unusual spec is that it copies the CW tone up around 1700Hz audio pitch, not quite as bad as RTTY 2125 hz and 2295 hz mark and space tones but that would be annoying to me to listen to.

The strange part is their verbage "allaying the frustrations of seasoned operators listening to code".  What "seasoned operator" on CW is frustrated?  We're doing it because it's fun !!

Glenn AE0Q
 
« Last Edit: May 13, 2022, 09:45:55 PM by AE0Q »
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NSGA Edzell 1974-77  CTM2  GM5BKC : NSGA Rota 1972-74   ZB2WZ, SV0WY
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AE0Q

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Re: PreppComm MMX MultiBand Morse Code Tranceiver
« Reply #8 on: May 13, 2022, 10:05:59 PM »

Oops, the audio pitch is 1300Hz not 1700, still annoyingly high..  Did they pick that for some reason to do with getting a narrow bandwidth from the direct-conversion receiver?
« Last Edit: May 13, 2022, 10:08:50 PM by AE0Q »
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NSGA Edzell 1974-77  CTM2  GM5BKC : NSGA Rota 1972-74   ZB2WZ, SV0WY
https://radioandtravels.blogspot.com/
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NI0C

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Re: PreppComm MMX MultiBand Morse Code Tranceiver
« Reply #9 on: May 14, 2022, 04:22:39 AM »

Quote
The strange part is their verbage "allaying the frustrations of seasoned operators listening to code".  What "seasoned operator" on CW is frustrated?  We're doing it because it's fun !!
Amen!
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NI0C

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Re: PreppComm MMX MultiBand Morse Code Tranceiver
« Reply #10 on: May 14, 2022, 04:30:58 AM »

Oops, the audio pitch is 1300Hz not 1700, still annoyingly high..  Did they pick that for some reason to do with getting a narrow bandwidth from the direct-conversion receiver?
I suspect that they use an audio bandpass filter, and a high center frequency would keep the capacitor values low. K1EL has been selling keyboard "modems" (K42, K44, and now the K45) that are designed around a 725 Hz pitch. He uses a 6-pole bandpass filter. Even 725 Hz is at the upper edge of what a "seasoned" CW operator would listen to.
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N4SRN

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Re: PreppComm MMX MultiBand Morse Code Tranceiver
« Reply #11 on: May 21, 2022, 04:03:37 AM »

Yes, the purpose is stated as EmComm (or PreppComm, in this case) data communication with just a keyboard, QRP transceiver, battery and antenna - no CPU like other data modes. A KX1, battery and antenna will do just as well - if you can send/copy Morse Code yourself.

They don't claim it has no CPU, in fact they say "a few microprocessors".  By the way, even a KX1 has a microprocessor in it, a PIC16F876A.

Glenn AE0Q

Quite true! Perhaps I should have said a separate computer, like a laptop, tablet, RiPi, etc. The CPU is integrated into the device rather than a separate stand alone device. Someone could probably make a JS2CALL dedicated transmitter as well.

Except during contests, it doesn’t seem CW is too crowded on the bands, so such a system should not interfere with manual keyed CW Ops.

"Purity" of the hobby is a valid point. Somehow the straight key and iambic paddle key & electronic keyer users found a way to coexist, but adding a keyboard and CPU is a new step-change, for sure.

When JS8CALL came out as FT8CALL, WSJT-X FT8 users objected to crowding the bands with text comms instead of FT8 messages.

When various States made early muzzleloader seasons for hunting, the flintlock rifle folks objected when modern muzzleloader rifles made it easier. It got more people into hunting, but some object it "crowded" the fields and lost the reason for an early season, separate from semi-auto long guns.

So, yes - perhaps discussion of this unit might technically fit into the Digital forum rather than CW. But there’s still a lot to CW that’s more than how the signals are transmitted - it’s the content.
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Bret/N4SRN
Bedford, NH  USA
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