Category Archives: Amateur Radio

Morse code keyer for Arduino

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Morse code keyer for Arduino.

I recently decided to build another project, this time involving morse code and the arduino.

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I took a standard Arduino UNO, an LCD keypad shield, a relay module and a piezo buzzer. Total cost was under $25

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What does it do?

Well it can send morse cq’s or any morse message to the onboard piezo or the relay for connection across a radio key. It has the ability to adjust the speed and timing of the morse. It demo’s the morse alphabet. You can decide it you want to use the relay or not. It can save the settings to the onboard EEPROM and keep them on power off.

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The code was a little complicated to write, but it was my first attempt at a menu system. Initially i imagined a grid system of menus using up/down/left/right. Each row would represent a type of function and the pages along the row each related to each other. This meant holding a variable for the column number, a variable for row number, both of which to be looped around or limited. I would then also need to keep a number at the intersection of the row and column which would be the page number. Phew, 3 variables just to start with. I did manage to get it working but wondered if there was a smarter way to go about it.

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I believe in trying to do it your self, so you can learn first. Once you’ve tried it your way, head over to the web and see how the programmers do it! I decided to look around the web.

One example i saw, had left or right scrolling through all of the functions, looping back around to the start. One variable, the program number, incremented or decremented by the left and right keys. Much smarter,simpler and good enough for what i was trying to do here, keep it simple for me and if anyone else wanted to use it.

So that’s pretty much how the code goes.

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I browsed around the web trying to improve my programming skills, as this was probably the hardest code I had written to date. I learned somewhere along the way that good practice was to write out all your comments first, then fill the code in later.

For example;

// here is where the setup will be

// here is where we will define all the variables

// This is the routine that converts a letter into dits and dahs

// this is where the menu code will live

 

And so on. I added a notes section that described the programs way of working. And i added a TO DO list, for example;

TODO:

add press any key to abort

change pitch of morse key sound

add numbers and special characters

maybe reduce system to one key, short press advances menu, long press to use

provide ability to enter a custom message ie callsign direct from the keypad

beacon menu support

serial control or ethernet if possible

special sounds? psk replies??

 

A todo list was something that i later found to be an invaluable way of adding things that needed to be fixed.

There have been ten revisions so far, each one adding more capability to the device, I hope the code can be improved further still. There’s even a bit of silly stuff thrown in there for fun.

 

/*

T Robb 12 sep 12

just a dodgy bit of code, that ought to let you play morse through a speaker or a relay

$ver 0.40
NOTES:

it waits to see if a key has been pressed, if so it increments or decrements the programnumber.
then it compares the programnumber against a number: switch(programnumber)
and runs the appropriate menu

all the functions are at the bottom

there are functions for each letter

there are generally functions for each menu

you may need to put delays in between each letter
TODO:
press any key to abort

change pitch of morse key sound

relay on or off

add numbers and special characters

maybe reduce system to one key

add saving of the variables to non volatile ram

provide ability to enter a custom message ie callsign

beacon support

serial control or ethernet if possible

special sounds? psk replies??

*/

/*************************************************
* Get the notes and stuff just for the music out of the way first. the music is not really important , just a gimmick really
*************************************************/

#define NOTE_B0 31
#define NOTE_C1 33
#define NOTE_CS1 35
#define NOTE_D1 37
#define NOTE_DS1 39
#define NOTE_E1 41
#define NOTE_F1 44
#define NOTE_FS1 46
#define NOTE_G1 49
#define NOTE_GS1 52
#define NOTE_A1 55
#define NOTE_AS1 58
#define NOTE_B1 62
#define NOTE_C2 65
#define NOTE_CS2 69
#define NOTE_D2 73
#define NOTE_DS2 78
#define NOTE_E2 82
#define NOTE_F2 87
#define NOTE_FS2 93
#define NOTE_G2 98
#define NOTE_GS2 104
#define NOTE_A2 110
#define NOTE_AS2 117
#define NOTE_B2 123
#define NOTE_C3 131
#define NOTE_CS3 139
#define NOTE_D3 147
#define NOTE_DS3 156
#define NOTE_E3 165
#define NOTE_F3 175
#define NOTE_FS3 185
#define NOTE_G3 196
#define NOTE_GS3 208
#define NOTE_A3 220
#define NOTE_AS3 233
#define NOTE_B3 247
#define NOTE_C4 262
#define NOTE_CS4 277
#define NOTE_D4 294
#define NOTE_DS4 311
#define NOTE_E4 330
#define NOTE_F4 349
#define NOTE_FS4 370
#define NOTE_G4 392
#define NOTE_GS4 415
#define NOTE_A4 440
#define NOTE_AS4 466
#define NOTE_B4 494
#define NOTE_C5 523
#define NOTE_CS5 554
#define NOTE_D5 587
#define NOTE_DS5 622
#define NOTE_E5 659
#define NOTE_F5 698
#define NOTE_FS5 740
#define NOTE_G5 784
#define NOTE_GS5 831
#define NOTE_A5 880
#define NOTE_AS5 932
#define NOTE_B5 988
#define NOTE_C6 1047
#define NOTE_CS6 1109
#define NOTE_D6 1175
#define NOTE_DS6 1245
#define NOTE_E6 1319
#define NOTE_F6 1397
#define NOTE_FS6 1480
#define NOTE_G6 1568
#define NOTE_GS6 1661
#define NOTE_A6 1760
#define NOTE_AS6 1865
#define NOTE_B6 1976
#define NOTE_C7 2093
#define NOTE_CS7 2217
#define NOTE_D7 2349
#define NOTE_DS7 2489
#define NOTE_E7 2637
#define NOTE_F7 2794
#define NOTE_FS7 2960
#define NOTE_G7 3136
#define NOTE_GS7 3322
#define NOTE_A7 3520
#define NOTE_AS7 3729
#define NOTE_B7 3951
#define NOTE_C8 4186
#define NOTE_CS8 4435
#define NOTE_D8 4699
#define NOTE_DS8 4978
#define OCTAVE_OFFSET 0

int notes[] = { 0,
NOTE_C4, NOTE_CS4, NOTE_D4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_E4, NOTE_F4, NOTE_FS4, NOTE_G4, NOTE_GS4, NOTE_A4, NOTE_AS4, NOTE_B4,
NOTE_C5, NOTE_CS5, NOTE_D5, NOTE_DS5, NOTE_E5, NOTE_F5, NOTE_FS5, NOTE_G5, NOTE_GS5, NOTE_A5, NOTE_AS5, NOTE_B5,
NOTE_C6, NOTE_CS6, NOTE_D6, NOTE_DS6, NOTE_E6, NOTE_F6, NOTE_FS6, NOTE_G6, NOTE_GS6, NOTE_A6, NOTE_AS6, NOTE_B6,
NOTE_C7, NOTE_CS7, NOTE_D7, NOTE_DS7, NOTE_E7, NOTE_F7, NOTE_FS7, NOTE_G7, NOTE_GS7, NOTE_A7, NOTE_AS7, NOTE_B7
};

// we can choose a song here, its placing the notes in a character array which is being referenced in the menu

char *song1 = “The Simpsons:d=4,o=5,b=160:c.6,e6,f#6,8a6,g.6,e6,c6,8a,8f#,8f#,8f#,2g,8p,8p,8f#,8f#,8f#,8g,a#.,8c6,8c6,8c6,c6″;
//char *song = “Indiana:d=4,o=5,b=250:e,8p,8f,8g,8p,1c6,8p.,d,8p,8e,1f,p.,g,8p,8a,8b,8p,1f6,p,a,8p,8b,2c6,2d6,2e6,e,8p,8f,8g,8p,1c6,p,d6,8p,8e6,1f.6,g,8p,8g,e.6,8p,d6,8p,8g,e.6,8p,d6,8p,8g,f.6,8p,e6,8p,8d6,2c6″;
//char *song = “TakeOnMe:d=4,o=4,b=160:8f#5,8f#5,8f#5,8d5,8p,8b,8p,8e5,8p,8e5,8p,8e5,8g#5,8g#5,8a5,8b5,8a5,8a5,8a5,8e5,8p,8d5,8p,8f#5,8p,8f#5,8p,8f#5,8e5,8e5,8f#5,8e5,8f#5,8f#5,8f#5,8d5,8p,8b,8p,8e5,8p,8e5,8p,8e5,8g#5,8g#5,8a5,8b5,8a5,8a5,8a5,8e5,8p,8d5,8p,8f#5,8p,8f#5,8p,8f#5,8e5,8e5″;
//char *song = “Entertainer:d=4,o=5,b=140:8d,8d#,8e,c6,8e,c6,8e,2c.6,8c6,8d6,8d#6,8e6,8c6,8d6,e6,8b,d6,2c6,p,8d,8d#,8e,c6,8e,c6,8e,2c.6,8p,8a,8g,8f#,8a,8c6,e6,8d6,8c6,8a,2d6″;
//char *song = “Muppets:d=4,o=5,b=250:c6,c6,a,b,8a,b,g,p,c6,c6,a,8b,8a,8p,g.,p,e,e,g,f,8e,f,8c6,8c,8d,e,8e,8e,8p,8e,g,2p,c6,c6,a,b,8a,b,g,p,c6,c6,a,8b,a,g.,p,e,e,g,f,8e,f,8c6,8c,8d,e,8e,d,8d,c”;
//char *song = “Xfiles:d=4,o=5,b=125:e,b,a,b,d6,2b.,1p,e,b,a,b,e6,2b.,1p,g6,f#6,e6,d6,e6,2b.,1p,g6,f#6,e6,d6,f#6,2b.,1p,e,b,a,b,d6,2b.,1p,e,b,a,b,e6,2b.,1p,e6,2b.”;
//char *song = “Looney:d=4,o=5,b=140:32p,c6,8f6,8e6,8d6,8c6,a.,8c6,8f6,8e6,8d6,8d#6,e.6,8e6,8e6,8c6,8d6,8c6,8e6,8c6,8d6,8a,8c6,8g,8a#,8a,8f”;
//char *song = “20thCenFox:d=16,o=5,b=140:b,8p,b,b,2b,p,c6,32p,b,32p,c6,32p,b,32p,c6,32p,b,8p,b,b,b,32p,b,32p,b,32p,b,32p,b,32p,b,32p,b,32p,g#,32p,a,32p,b,8p,b,b,2b,4p,8e,8g#,8b,1c#6,8f#,8a,8c#6,1e6,8a,8c#6,8e6,1e6,8b,8g#,8a,2b”;
//char *song = “Bond:d=4,o=5,b=80:32p,16c#6,32d#6,32d#6,16d#6,8d#6,16c#6,16c#6,16c#6,16c#6,32e6,32e6,16e6,8e6,16d#6,16d#6,16d#6,16c#6,32d#6,32d#6,16d#6,8d#6,16c#6,16c#6,16c#6,16c#6,32e6,32e6,16e6,8e6,16d#6,16d6,16c#6,16c#7,c.7,16g#6,16f#6,g#.6″;
//char *song = “MASH:d=8,o=5,b=140:4a,4g,f#,g,p,f#,p,g,p,f#,p,2e.,p,f#,e,4f#,e,f#,p,e,p,4d.,p,f#,4e,d,e,p,d,p,e,p,d,p,2c#.,p,d,c#,4d,c#,d,p,e,p,4f#,p,a,p,4b,a,b,p,a,p,b,p,2a.,4p,a,b,a,4b,a,b,p,2a.,a,4f#,a,b,p,d6,p,4e.6,d6,b,p,a,p,2b”;
//char *song = “StarWars:d=4,o=5,b=45:32p,32f#,32f#,32f#,8b.,8f#.6,32e6,32d#6,32c#6,8b.6,16f#.6,32e6,32d#6,32c#6,8b.6,16f#.6,32e6,32d#6,32e6,8c#.6,32f#,32f#,32f#,8b.,8f#.6,32e6,32d#6,32c#6,8b.6,16f#.6,32e6,32d#6,32c#6,8b.6,16f#.6,32e6,32d#6,32e6,8c#6″;
//char *song = “GoodBad:d=4,o=5,b=56:32p,32a#,32d#6,32a#,32d#6,8a#.,16f#.,16g#.,d#,32a#,32d#6,32a#,32d#6,8a#.,16f#.,16g#.,c#6,32a#,32d#6,32a#,32d#6,8a#.,16f#.,32f.,32d#.,c#,32a#,32d#6,32a#,32d#6,8a#.,16g#.,d#”;
//char *song = “TopGun:d=4,o=4,b=31:32p,16c#,16g#,16g#,32f#,32f,32f#,32f,16d#,16d#,32c#,32d#,16f,32d#,32f,16f#,32f,32c#,16f,d#,16c#,16g#,16g#,32f#,32f,32f#,32f,16d#,16d#,32c#,32d#,16f,32d#,32f,16f#,32f,32c#,g#”;
//char *song = “A-Team:d=8,o=5,b=125:4d#6,a#,2d#6,16p,g#,4a#,4d#.,p,16g,16a#,d#6,a#,f6,2d#6,16p,c#.6,16c6,16a#,g#.,2a#”;
//char *song = “Flinstones:d=4,o=5,b=40:32p,16f6,16a#,16a#6,32g6,16f6,16a#.,16f6,32d#6,32d6,32d6,32d#6,32f6,16a#,16c6,d6,16f6,16a#.,16a#6,32g6,16f6,16a#.,32f6,32f6,32d#6,32d6,32d6,32d#6,32f6,16a#,16c6,a#,16a6,16d.6,16a#6,32a6,32a6,32g6,32f#6,32a6,8g6,16g6,16c.6,32a6,32a6,32g6,32g6,32f6,32e6,32g6,8f6,16f6,16a#.,16a#6,32g6,16f6,16a#.,16f6,32d#6,32d6,32d6,32d#6,32f6,16a#,16c.6,32d6,32d#6,32f6,16a#,16c.6,32d6,32d#6,32f6,16a#6,16c7,8a#.6″;
//char *song = “Jeopardy:d=4,o=6,b=125:c,f,c,f5,c,f,2c,c,f,c,f,a.,8g,8f,8e,8d,8c#,c,f,c,f5,c,f,2c,f.,8d,c,a#5,a5,g5,f5,p,d#,g#,d#,g#5,d#,g#,2d#,d#,g#,d#,g#,c.7,8a#,8g#,8g,8f,8e,d#,g#,d#,g#5,d#,g#,2d#,g#.,8f,d#,c#,c,p,a#5,p,g#.5,d#,g#”;
char *song2 = “Gadget:d=16,o=5,b=50:32d#,32f,32f#,32g#,a#,f#,a,f,g#,f#,32d#,32f,32f#,32g#,a#,d#6,4d6,32d#,32f,32f#,32g#,a#,f#,a,f,g#,f#,8d#”;
//char *song = “Smurfs:d=32,o=5,b=200:4c#6,16p,4f#6,p,16c#6,p,8d#6,p,8b,p,4g#,16p,4c#6,p,16a#,p,8f#,p,8a#,p,4g#,4p,g#,p,a#,p,b,p,c6,p,4c#6,16p,4f#6,p,16c#6,p,8d#6,p,8b,p,4g#,16p,4c#6,p,16a#,p,8b,p,8f,p,4f#”;
//char *song = “MahnaMahna:d=16,o=6,b=125:c#,c.,b5,8a#.5,8f.,4g#,a#,g.,4d#,8p,c#,c.,b5,8a#.5,8f.,g#.,8a#.,4g,8p,c#,c.,b5,8a#.5,8f.,4g#,f,g.,8d#.,f,g.,8d#.,f,8g,8d#.,f,8g,d#,8c,a#5,8d#.,8d#.,4d#,8d#.”;
//char *song = “LeisureSuit:d=16,o=6,b=56:f.5,f#.5,g.5,g#5,32a#5,f5,g#.5,a#.5,32f5,g#5,32a#5,g#5,8c#.,a#5,32c#,a5,a#.5,c#.,32a5,a#5,32c#,d#,8e,c#.,f.,f.,f.,f.,f,32e,d#,8d,a#.5,e,32f,e,32f,c#,d#.,c#”;
//char *song = “MissionImp:d=16,o=6,b=95:32d,32d#,32d,32d#,32d,32d#,32d,32d#,32d,32d,32d#,32e,32f,32f#,32g,g,8p,g,8p,a#,p,c7,p,g,8p,g,8p,f,p,f#,p,g,8p,g,8p,a#,p,c7,p,g,8p,g,8p,f,p,f#,p,a#,g,2d,32p,a#,g,2c#,32p,a#,g,2c,a#5,8c,2p,32p,a#5,g5,2f#,32p,a#5,g5,2f,32p,a#5,g5,2e,d#,8d”;
// include the library code:

#include <LiquidCrystal.h> // The library for the LCD display
#include <EEPROM.h> // the library for writing to and from the EEPROM

// initialize the LCD library with the numbers of the interface pins
// pin 10 is revserved for backlight pin on my lcd keypad, so remember not to use that for anything else
LiquidCrystal lcd(8, 9, 4, 5, 6, 7);
int buttonPin = A0; // The button pin on my keypad
int speakerPin = 11; // The spare pin i have chosen to drive a piezo speaker
int relayPin = A3; // The pin i have chosen to drive the relay. 40ma is recommended max, in practice you may get a little higher.

// define all the morse lengths and pitch here.

int key = 700; // pitch of the morse key 900hz?
int dit = 400; // length of a dit in milliseconds
int dah = 1300; // length of a dit in milliseconds

int space_dahdits = 150; // space between dots and dashes
int space_char = 380; // space between letters (may not be used)
int space_word = 1140; // space between words (may not be used)

int relayCase = 0; // toggle the choice of wether we want the relay to be used

int maxprogramnumber = 16; // dont forget to increase the menu numbers here!!
int programnumber = 1;
// this is where the main routine runs
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);

pinMode(buttonPin, INPUT);
pinMode(relayPin, OUTPUT);
digitalWrite(relayPin, HIGH); // the relay is a low to turn on so we keep it high at the start

// set up the LCD’s number of columns and rows:
lcd.begin(16, 2);

tone(speakerPin, 900, 75);
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(” T.Robb V0.46 “); //Print a little message
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(“Long Live Morse! “);
delay(1500);

 

readEeprom(); // this is where we read in the eeprom values

menu();

}
void loop() {
}

void menu(){
Serial.println(programnumber);
Serial.println(analogRead(14));
Serial.println(relayCase);

switch(programnumber){

// This is where you add or remove menu items and changs the menu names
// dont forget to increase the menu numbers at the bottom

case 1:
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Press select for.”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(“Morse Alphabet “);
break;

case 2:
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Press select for.”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” Call CQ “);
break;

case 3:
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Press select for.”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(“CQ with callsign”);
break;
case 4:
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Press select for.”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(“Play Callsign “);
break;

case 5:
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Press select for.”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(“This is callsign”);
break;

case 6:
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Press select for.”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(“The Simpsons?? “);
break;

case 7:
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Press select for.”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(“Inspector Gadget”);
break;

case 8:
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Press select for.”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(“Increase speed +”);
break;

case 9:
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Press select for.”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(“Decrease speed -”);
break;

case 10:
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Press select for.”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(“Space length +”);
break;

case 11:
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Press select for.”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(“Space length -”);
break;

case 12:
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Press select for.”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(“Increase pitch +”);
break;

case 13:
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Press select for.”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(“Decrease pitch -”);
break;

case 14:
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Press select for.”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” Toggle Relay “);
break;

case 15:
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Press select for.”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” Save Settings “);
break;

case 16:
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Press select for.”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(“Default Settings”);
break;

default:
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Press select for.”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(“Plays Callsign “);
break;
}

// dont forget to increment maxprogramnumber at the top of file
while((analogRead(buttonPin))>=1000){} // do nothing while no buttons pressed to chill out
delay(5);

if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=50){

programnumber++;
delay(300);
}

if(analogRead(buttonPin)>=100 && analogRead(buttonPin)<=200){
programnumber-;
delay(30);
}

if(analogRead(buttonPin)>=200 && analogRead(buttonPin)<=400){

programnumber++;
delay(10);
}

if(analogRead(buttonPin)>=400 && analogRead(buttonPin)<=600){
programnumber-;
delay(300);
}

if(programnumber > maxprogramnumber){programnumber = 1;} // this is where the menu goes around and around
if(programnumber < 1){programnumber = maxprogramnumber;}

if(analogRead(buttonPin)>=600 && analogRead(buttonPin)<=800){
Serial.println(“Button Pressed”);

switch(programnumber){

case 1:
Serial.println(“alphabet”);
alphabet();
break;

case 2:
Serial.println(“play 1″);
cq();
cq();
cq();
break;

case 3:
Serial.println(“play 3″);
cqCallsign();
break;

case 4:
Serial.println(“play 2″);
callsign();
break;

case 5:
Serial.println(“play 4″);
thisIs();
break;

case 6:
Serial.println(“play 5″);
play_rtttl(song1);
break;

case 7:
Serial.println(“play 5″);
play_rtttl(song2);
break;

case 8:
Serial.println(“speed up”);
faster();
break;

case 9:
Serial.println(“slow down”);
slower();
break;

case 10:
Serial.println(“space length increase”);
spaceLonger();
break;

case 11:
Serial.println(“space length decrease”);
spaceShorter();
break;

case 12:
Serial.println(“Key pitch up”);
pitchUp();
break;

case 13:
Serial.println(“Key pitch down”);
pitchDown();
break;

case 14:
Serial.println(“Default Settings”);
toggleRelay();
break;

case 15:
Serial.println(“Save Settings”);
save();
break;

case 16:
Serial.println(“Default Settings”);
clearEeprom();
break;

default:
Serial.println(“play 1″);
callsign();
break;
}
}
delay(300);
lcd.clear();

menu();
}

 

void dot(){ // This is the main dot routine
for(int a = 0; a <= dit; a++){
tone(speakerPin, key);
if(relayCase){
digitalWrite(relayPin, LOW);
}
else{
digitalWrite(relayPin, HIGH);
}
}
noTone(speakerPin);
digitalWrite(relayPin, HIGH);

delay(space_dahdits);
delay(5);

}

void dash(){ // this is the main dash routine
for(int a = 0; a <= dah; a++){
tone(speakerPin, key);
if(relayCase){
digitalWrite(relayPin, LOW);
}
else{
digitalWrite(relayPin, HIGH);
}
}
noTone(speakerPin);
digitalWrite(relayPin, HIGH);

delay(space_dahdits);
delay(5);
}
void special_1(){

for(int i = 0; i <=3000; i = i + space_dahdits * 4){

tone(speakerPin, i);
delay(60);
noTone(speakerPin);
}
delay(60);

for(int i = 3000; i >=0; i = i - space_dahdits * 4){

tone(speakerPin, i);
delay(60);
noTone(speakerPin);
}

}
void special_2(){

for(int i = 0;i <=10; i++){

tone(speakerPin, 300, 500);
delay(50);
tone(speakerPin, 900, 500);
}
}
void cq(){

c();
delay(space_char);
q();
delay(space_char);

}

void callsign(){

v();
delay(space_char);
k();
delay(space_char);
two();
delay(space_char);
t();
delay(space_char);
o();
delay(space_char);
b();
delay(space_char);

}
void cqCallsign(){

cq(); // call CQ
cq(); // call CQ
cq(); // call CQ

d();
delay(space_char);
e();
delay(space_char);

callsign();
delay(space_char);
callsign();
delay(space_char);
callsign();
delay(space_word);

}

void thisIs(){
// this is

t();
delay(space_char);
h();
delay(space_char);
i();
delay(space_char);
s();

delay(space_word);

i();
delay(space_char);
s();

delay(space_word);

callsign();

}
void faster(){

space_dahdits = space_dahdits - 10;

if(space_dahdits <=10){
space_dahdits = 10;
}
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Current speed”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(space_dahdits);
delay(250);
}

void slower(){
space_dahdits= space_dahdits + 10;
if(space_dahdits >=2540){
space_dahdits = 2540;
}

lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Current speed”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(space_dahdits);
delay(250);

}
void spaceLonger(){
space_char = space_char + 10;
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(” Current space “);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” length =”);
lcd.setCursor(10, 1);
lcd.print(space_char);
delay(250);
}

void spaceShorter(){

space_char = space_char - 10;
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(” Current space “);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” length =”);
lcd.setCursor(10, 1);
lcd.print(space_char);
delay(250);
}
void pitchUp(){

key = key + 10;

if(key >= 2540){
key = 2540;
}

lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Key pitch is “);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(key);

delay(300);

}

void pitchDown(){

key = key - 10;

if(key <= 10){
key = 10;
}
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Key pitch is “);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(key);

delay(300);

}

 

void readEeprom(){

// this is where we read the values from the eeprom and put them into the program

space_dahdits = (EEPROM.read(0)* 10);

space_char = (EEPROM.read(1) * 10);

space_word = (EEPROM.read(2) * 10);

key = (EEPROM.read(3) * 10);

relayCase = (EEPROM.read(4) * 10);

for(int i = 0; i <= 4; i++){
Serial.print(“EEPROM contains: “);
Serial.println(EEPROM.read(i));
}
}

void save(){

// lets write the values to the eeprom

EEPROM.write(0, (space_dahdits/10)); // Write byte
EEPROM.write(1, (space_char/10)); // Write byte
EEPROM.write(2, (space_word/10)); // Write byte
EEPROM.write(3, (key/10)); // Write byte
EEPROM.write(4, (relayCase/10)); // Write byte

Serial.println(“Saving….”);

lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(” Saving “);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” Settings “);

tone(speakerPin, 900, 75);

delay(1000);

for(int i = 0; i <=4; i++){

lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Address “);
lcd.print(i);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(EEPROM.read(i)*10);

delay(1000);

}

}

void clearEeprom(){

// lets write the default values to the eeprom

key = 700; // pitch of the morse key 900hz?
dit = 400; // length of a dit in milliseconds
dah = 1300; // length of a dit in milliseconds

space_dahdits = 150; // space between dots and dashes
space_char = 380; // space between letters (may not be used)
space_word = 1140; // space between words (may not be used)
relayCase = 0;

EEPROM.write(0, 7); // this is the spot for space_dahdits
EEPROM.write(1, 30); // Write byte
EEPROM.write(2, 90); // Write byte
EEPROM.write(3, 70); // Write byte
EEPROM.write(4, 1); // Write byte

Serial.println(“Saving default values….”);

lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Saving default”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” Values “);

tone(speakerPin, 900, 75);

delay(1000);
}
void alphabet(){

delay(1000); // let the button press settle

int delayAmount;
delayAmount = (space_dahdits * 10); // How much to wait between letters

lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Hold key to stop”);

delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
a();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
b();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
c();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
d();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
e();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
f();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
g();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
h();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
i();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
j();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
k();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
l();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
m();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
n();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
o();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
p();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
q();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
r();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
s();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
t();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
u();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
v();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
w();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
x();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
y();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}
z();
delay(delayAmount); if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=1000){menu();}

}

void a(){

lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” A “);

dot();
dash();

}

void b(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” B “);

dash();
dot();
dot();
dot();

}

void c(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” C “);

dash();
dot();
dash();
dot();
}

void d(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” D “);

dash();
dot();
dot();

}

void e(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” E “);

dot();
}

void f(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” F “);

dot();
dot();
dash();
dot();
}

void g(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” G “);

dash();
dash();
dot();

}

void h(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” H “);

dot();
dot();
dot();
dot();
}

void i(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” I “);

dot(); dot();
}

void j(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” J “);

dot(); dash(); dash(); dash();
}

void k(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” K “);

dash();dot();dash();
}

void l(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” L “);

dot();dash();dot();dot();
}
void m(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” M “);

dash();dash();
}
void n(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” N “);

dash();dot();
}
void o(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” O “);

dash();dash();dash();
}
void p(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” P “);

dot();dash();dash();dot();
}
void q(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” Q “);

dash();dash();dot();dash();
}

void r(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” R “);

dot();dash();dot();
}

void s(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” S “);

dot();dot();dot();
}

void t(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” T “);

dash();
}

void u(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” U “);

dot();dot();dash();
}
void v(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” V “);

dot();dot();dot();dash();
}

void w(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” W “);

dot();dash();dash();
}

void x(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” X “);

dash();dot();dot();dash();
}

void y(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” Y “);

dash();dot();dash();dash();
}

void z(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” Z “);

dash();dash();dot();dot();
}

void one(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” 1 “);

dot();dash();dash();dash();dash();
}

void two(){
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” 2 “);

dot();dot();dash();dash();dash();
}

void toggleRelay(){
// This is where we toggle the state of wether we want relay to be used

relayCase = !relayCase;

lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(” Toggling Relay “);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
if(relayCase == 1){
lcd.print(” Relay is ON “);
}
else{
lcd.print(” Relay is OFF “);
}
delay(1000);
}

void play_rtttl(char *p)
{
// Absolutely no error checking in here

byte default_dur = 4;
byte default_oct = 6;
int bpm = 63;
int num;
long wholenote;
long duration;
byte note;
byte scale;

// format: d=N,o=N,b=NNN:
// find the start (skip name, etc)

while(*p != ‘:’) p++; // ignore name
p++; // skip ‘:’

// get default duration
if(*p == ‘d’)
{
p++; p++; // skip “d=”
num = 0;
while(isdigit(*p))
{
num = (num * 10) + (*p++ - ’0′);
}
if(num > 0) default_dur = num;
p++; // skip comma
}
// get default octave
if(*p == ‘o’)
{
p++; p++; // skip “o=”
num = *p++ - ’0′;
if(num >= 3 && num <=7) default_oct = num;
p++; // skip comma
}
// get BPM
if(*p == ‘b’)
{
p++; p++; // skip “b=”
num = 0;
while(isdigit(*p))
{
num = (num * 10) + (*p++ - ’0′);
}
bpm = num;
p++; // skip colon
}
// BPM usually expresses the number of quarter notes per minute
wholenote = (60 * 1000L / bpm) * 4; // this is the time for whole note (in milliseconds)
// now begin note loop
while(*p)
{
// first, get note duration, if available
num = 0;
while(isdigit(*p))
{
num = (num * 10) + (*p++ - ’0′);
}

if(num) duration = wholenote / num;
else duration = wholenote / default_dur; // we will need to check if we are a dotted note after

// now get the note
note = 0;

switch(*p)
{
case ‘c’:
note = 1;
break;
case ‘d’:
note = 3;
break;
case ‘e’:
note = 5;
break;
case ‘f’:
note = 6;
break;
case ‘g’:
note = 8;
break;
case ‘a’:
note = 10;
break;
case ‘b’:
note = 12;
break;
case ‘p’:
default:
note = 0;
}
p++;

// now, get optional ‘#’ sharp
if(*p == ‘#’)
{
note++;
p++;
}

// now, get optional ‘.’ dotted note
if(*p == ‘.’)
{
duration += duration/2;
p++;
}

// now, get scale
if(isdigit(*p))
{
scale = *p - ’0′;
p++;
}
else
{
scale = default_oct;
}

scale += OCTAVE_OFFSET;

if(*p == ‘,’)
p++; // skip comma for next note (or we may be at the end)

// now play the note

if(note)
{
digitalWrite(13, HIGH);
int danFreq;
float danDur;
danFreq = notes[(scale - 4) * 12 + note];
danDur = 1000000 / danFreq;
unsigned long start = millis();
while (millis() - start <= duration) {
digitalWrite(speakerPin, HIGH);
delayMicroseconds(danDur);
digitalWrite(speakerPin, LOW);
delayMicroseconds(danDur);
}
digitalWrite(13, LOW);
}
else
{
delay(duration);
}
}
}

 

0-40Mhz, Sine wave generator $25.

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0-40Mhz, Sine wave generator $25.

2013-08-18 12.51.35

Recently some very cheap boards ($4-6) have been coming out of china containing a chip known as the AD9850 which is a Direct Digital Synthesis sine wave generator.

ad9850-dds

With only 4 control wires we can control the board via the arduino. This gives us a variable sine wave generator that we can control to give us a very nice sine wave from 0 Megahertz up to around 40 Megahertz at almost a full volt peak to peak.

I decided to use an LCD keypad to give some on screen visual indication of the frequency plus a means of controlling the frequency quickly and easily.

2013-08-12 17.28.16

The code to upload to the Arduino, can be relatively straight forward.

I have been using libraries to simplify the toggling of the control pins to set the frequency on the sub board. Also cause i’m not that smart yet! The dds.h library is from Anthony Good - K3NG

So simple to use, the command to set the frequency is simply;

ddschip.setfrequency(Frequency);

Could it be any easier?

To get the board up and running, find Anthony’s library here.

Place the DDS directory in your arduino sketches/library folder with all the other libraries. That way when you compile/upload the IDE will find the file automatically.

The board has a clock pin, a load pin, a data pin and a reset pin. The other 4 pins of use are the sin wave ououtput and a square wave output.

2013-08-12 17.27.27

 

2013-08-12 17.27.13

In the setup code you will just need to define what pins you have used for what job between the DDS board and the Arduino.

#define data_pin 12
#define load_pin A5
#define clock_pin A4
#define clock_hz 120000000LL

dds ddschip(DDS9850, data_pin, load_pin, clock_pin, clock_hz);

2013-08-12 17.36.53

This sets my dds up with its 120mhz onboard crystal. I am substituting the pin numbers with words to make it easier to understand. For example the word data_pin would be replaced everywhere it is found at compile time with the number 12. this is what the #define command does

Now the chip pins have been defined, we can just use the ddschip.setfrequency(Frequency); command to set the frequency to any frequency we desire, within the capabilities of the device. The AD9850 boards i have used are pretty good for about 0-40mhz, beyond that they are a little sketchy.

2013-08-12 17.29.36

2013-08-18 12.52.22

I figured that i would use the up and down buttons to raise or lower the frequency.

I decide to use the left and right buttons to cycle the amount the frequency would increment on raising or lowering. I chose, 1Hz, 10Hz, 100Hz, 1KHz, 10KHz, 100KHz and 1MHz.

I cobbled together some code, some of which i hacked out of a previous LCD keypad project (Morse coder). I have kept the interface reasonably simple, after all we only have 16 characters on two lines.

2013-08-12 17.39.58

2013-08-12 17.40.17

After I had it built up on the bench and had tested it extensively I decide to put it all in a box. Initially i wanted to put a battery pack inside the box as well, but decided to leave access to the power jack so i could just plug in a battery pack externally if i wanted to. The result are the photos you see here. The LCD keypad shield is designed to be used in the open and not really designed to go in a case, but i shoehorned it in with lots of cutting. I used a terminal block on the side for the sine wave output and I also decided to break out the square wave output and its associated adjustment pot, the LCD contrast adjustment pot and the DDS board power light.

Here is the code I came up with;

/* T Robb 22.7.13

the way it works , is we read the buttons for up and down, we use that to increment or decrement a number which we later
use to set an increment or decrement amount, ie 10hz, 1khz, 1mhz etc
then if the left or right buttons are pushed we go up or down in frequency byt the incrment amount

*/

 

#include <stdio.h>
#include <dds.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal.h>

#define RESET 13
#define data_pin 12
#define load_pin A5
#define clock_pin A4
#define clock_hz 120000000LL
#define calibrationValue -0.0400000 // this is a value we change to calibrate our particular chip more accurately
#define buttonPin A0

// chip, data_pin, load_pin, clock_pin, clock_hz
dds ddschip(DDS9850, data_pin, load_pin, clock_pin, clock_hz); // set my dds up with 120mhz onboard crystal
LiquidCrystal lcd(8, 9, 4, 5, 6, 7);

// some variables to use in our program
long toFrequency = 14070000;
long currentFrequency;
long maxFrequency = 40000000;
long minFrequency = 0;
int incrementNumber = 6;
int maxprogramnumber = 6; // dont forget to increase the menu numbers here!!
int programnumber = 1;

void setup()

{
Serial.begin(9600);
Serial.println(“Beginning Setup”);
// set up the LCD’s number of columns and rows:
lcd.begin(16, 2);
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“T.Robb V0.1b “); //Print a little message
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(” DDS Sine wave “);
delay(2000);
// setup pins
pinMode(RESET, OUTPUT);
pinMode(data_pin, OUTPUT);
pinMode(load_pin, OUTPUT);
pinMode(clock_pin, OUTPUT);
pinMode(buttonPin, INPUT);
digitalWrite(buttonPin, HIGH);

ddschip.calibrate(calibrationValue); // this is a value we change to calibrate our particular chip more accurately
ddschip.setfrequency(toFrequency);
lcd.clear();

}

void loop()
{
if(toFrequency >= maxFrequency){(toFrequency = maxFrequency);}
if(toFrequency <= minFrequency){(toFrequency = minFrequency);}
ddschip.setfrequency(toFrequency);
currentFrequency = toFrequency;

switch(incrementNumber){

case 0:
Serial.println(“increment amount is 1hz”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Change By 1hz”);
break;

case 1:
Serial.println(“increment amount is 10hz”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Change By 10hz “);
break;

case 2:
Serial.println(“increment amount is 100hz”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Change By 100hz “);
break;

case 3:
Serial.println(“increment amount is 1 000hz”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Change By 1khz”);
break;

case 4:
Serial.println(“increment amount is 10 000hz”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Change By 10khz”);
break;

case 5:
Serial.println(“increment amount is 100 000hz”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Change By 100khz”);
break;

case 6:
Serial.println(“increment amount is 1 000 000hz”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Change By 1Mhz”);
break;

default:
Serial.println(“increment amount is 100hz”);
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(“Change By 100hz “);
break;
}

lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(“Freq is “); //Print to lcd
lcd.setCursor(8, 1);
lcd.print(currentFrequency);

Serial.println(incrementNumber); // temporary for debuggin delete me

Serial.print(“Current Frequency is set to :”);
Serial.println(currentFrequency);

while((analogRead(buttonPin))>=1000){} // do nothing while no buttons pressed to chill out
delay(5);
if(analogRead(buttonPin)>=100 && analogRead(buttonPin)<=200){ // we have pushed up
upFrequency();
delay(300);
}

if(analogRead(buttonPin)>=200 && analogRead(buttonPin)<=400){ // we have pushed down
downFrequency();
delay(300);
}

if((analogRead(buttonPin))<=50){ // we have pushed right
incrementNumber++;
delay(300);
}

if(analogRead(buttonPin)>=400 && analogRead(buttonPin)<=600){ // we have pushed left
incrementNumber-;
delay(300);
}

if(incrementNumber > 6){incrementNumber = 0;} // this is where the menu goes around and around
if(incrementNumber < 0){incrementNumber = 6;}

delay(100);
lcd.clear();

}
void upFrequency()
{
Serial.println(“Going UP Frequency”);
switch(incrementNumber){

case 0:
toFrequency = (toFrequency + 1);
break;

case 1:
toFrequency = (toFrequency + 10);
break;

case 2:
toFrequency = (toFrequency + 100);
break;

case 3:
toFrequency = (toFrequency + 1000);
break;

case 4:
toFrequency = (toFrequency + 10000);
break;

case 5:
toFrequency = (toFrequency + 100000);
break;
case 6:
toFrequency = (toFrequency + 1000000);
break;

default:
toFrequency = (toFrequency + 10);
break;
}

}
void downFrequency()
{

Serial.println(“Going DOWN Frequency”);
switch(incrementNumber){

case 0:
toFrequency = (toFrequency - 1);
break;

case 1:
toFrequency = (toFrequency - 10);
break;

case 2:
toFrequency = (toFrequency - 100);
break;

case 3:
toFrequency = (toFrequency - 1000);
break;

case 4:
toFrequency = (toFrequency - 10000);
break;

case 5:
toFrequency = (toFrequency - 100000);
break;

case 6:
toFrequency = (toFrequency - 1000000);
break;

default:
toFrequency = (toFrequency - 10);
break;
}
}

 

 

24Mhz -1800Mhz SDR Radio receiver for $15 (Digital,Sideband, AM, FM etc)

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I recently decided to try out one of the new SDR DVB-T TV tuner USB devices. They are sold all around the world as USB TV tuners. The one i use is based on the RTL2832 chipset and can be found all over EBAY for as little as $15.

Got one already?

The simple method: click here for zadig drivers and instructions and here for software. If you don’t have one, skip to the bottom and use mine remotely..

The retail package

The retail package

You get a remote, a not so good aerial, a CDROM and the dongle itself.

The parts

The parts

 

Someone wrote a great driver for the RTL2832 that allows data in and out of the chip. We should all be grateful that the open source community is such a giving bunch.

 

Inside the usb device

Inside the usb device

 

There is a regulator, the RTL2832 chipset, a crystal, an IR receiver, an amplifier and antenna connector on the board by the looks of it.

 

The board

The board

Installing the driver for these chips is the first step. DON’T install the software they come with unless all you want is TV, which i certainly couldn’t get with the supplied aerial. Instead the SDR drivers for this chipset are essential if you want to listen in amateur radio style.

The zadig drivers are the way to go… http://sourceforge.net/projects/libwdi/files/zadig/

Now there are a number of ways to listen to the USB dongle now that the drivers have successfully defined it as a receiver.

You can use SDR# sharp, or SDR-radio.com version 2. Or probably a few others, if so you will probably need to copy some libraries into it’s operating directory.

Don’t miss this step and this is most often the reason you wont be able to find the receiver in the list of devices available to the decoding software.

I chose SDR-radio.com v2, so i could stream it also on a server and connect to it from anywhere.

http://v2.sdr-radio.com/

 

The RTL2832

The RTL2832

 

A close up of the RTL 2832 chip which is the key to it all.

 

Close up of the micro antenna connector

Close up of the micro antenna connector

What will you get with the supplied antenna?? in short not much. You might get your local radio stations if your lucky. I experimented with various antennas, including the home antennas on HF and VHF, it works really well if given a good antenna.

The micro antenna connector

The micro antenna connector

 

It was using the antennas that i liked to use with my regular rigs, so if i wanted to leave it on permanently for others to connect to, it would need its own antenna. I decided to give its own broadband antenna in the form of a discone.
2013-06-27 17.50.29

 

Discones are very broadband. That is, they can pick up a wide frequency range, unlike say my 2m/70cm band VHF vertical that i use for VHF operations (100-160Mhz)+(450-500Mhz), Or my end fed horizontal dipole that i use for HF operations from 21-50Mhz. This is the Diamond D130J super, good for 25 to 1300Mhz.

http://www.diamondantenna.net/d130j.html .

I placed the discone up in the air on a disused pole. I used some good quality low loss RG213 ($3/m) to run it inside to the shack. An MCX male to SO239 female pigtail completed the connection from the receiver to the antenna.

Discone in the air

Discone in the air

Running some server software…

The server software

The server software

What can you hear?

AM, FM, Upper and Lower Sideband, Morse, Digital and much much more.

Amateur radio transmissions. Like your local 2m repeater, there’s always one nearby if you find the frequency, Narrow or wide FM.

Aircraft. Including air traffic control.

Usually the local services, like taxis, breakdown and service vehicles, the police, fire and ambulance etc.

Telemetry and signalling. Local utilities, government etc.

Things like 433mhz and 315mhz garage door openers, car remotes, alarms, and lots of other crazy devices.

Cordless phones, mobiles and so on all give out there own special signalling.

The 1090mhz aircraft transponder signalling that gives height,speed, aircraft callsign info for example. Can be decoded with many pieces for software for Example: http://rtl1090.web99.de/

Possibly satellite traffic.

You will hear some very strange things out there, and experience, or trial and error will let you successfully decode a lot of it.

I have been successfully porting the audio out through virtual cable and listening in with standard programs like FLDIGI etc to decode digital signals.

Oh boy. What can’t this do for $15!

If you would like to connect to my SDR

currently only with SDR-radio.coms software, the IP is 59.167.129.98, the port is 7999, USER: user PASSWORD: user

click here for version 2 of the sdr-radio.com software

Next on the list is making the sdr available on a webpage widget via free software such as WebSDR.

 

My Current Amateur Radio Setup

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Here are some details of my current Amateur Radio rig.

I am using a Yeasu FT-897 as my primary transmitter. This transmitter is a multi-mode, multi-band powerful piece of gear.

It can listen in from 0Mhz to about 164 Mhz. It also has a band at 420Mhz to 470Mhz.

Its capable of CW (morse), Upper and Lower Sideband, AM, FM and packet and Digital Modes.

IT can transmit at 100 Watts on the HF bands and 50 Watts on the upper bands.

It has a serial port and is easily fully controllable from a PC or laptop/netbook. It has audio out and in.

My version has 2 inbuilt NiCad battery packs allowing fully portable operation. It also has an optional collins filter.

I have Hooked up the radio to a netbook running Ham Radio Deluxe and digital master 780 as well as lots of other software. I have complete control over all the radios functions both locally and via the internet. I can do many digital modes including Slow Scan Television.

I recently also managed to score a linear amplifier, although I am not currently using it. Its a Yaesu FL 2100b. It has a plate voltage of over 2.4Kv and a power output capable of over 600watts.

I also have an MFJ-993B antenna tuner connected, which helps match the transmitter to the antennas when working slightly outside the antennas best resonant frequency.

I have three antennas, a Diamond X200A and endfed longwire, the Diamond BB6W and a vertical the MFJ-1793.

My current licence is the Advanced Class. And allows me powers up to 400 Watts on any of the bands allocated for use by Australian amateurs. It is the highest class of licence and allows all modes and all bands, very useful!

With this radio and these antennas I have been able to contact other radios from all over the world. Its a very interesting and diverse hobby. There are many organizations to help you get started in radio. It is a hobby that spans many other hobbies including electronics, communications, RF design, even sociology.

Some links to everything are given here:

http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=102&encProdID=0372FA803B7BBADBF3076C94ACA7A8C5&DivisionID

http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-993B

http://www.diamondantenna.net/x200a.html

http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-1793

http://bmarc.org/