Gerry, G3MW, writes:
The author of CWCOM, a program that lets you make live Morse Code QSOs over the internet, discontinued supporting the program some time ago. So, with his permission, I have taken it over. My CWCOM website is called MorsePower.
CWCOM was written for Windows 98, but also works on all versions including Windows 10. I have also got it working on Linux and MacOS. The instructions for getting CWCOM up and running are on the new website.
The reason I’ve set up MorsePower is that many people new to CWCOM were asking me how to solve problems with it. After a year of doing this on a one to one basis , I decided it would be easier, and more helpful to users if there was a website where CWCOM users could go to get answers to their questions. Now, when I do get emails from users, I point them to the relevant page on the website.
Why would people want to use CWCOM?
- Anyone can use it—no licence required.
- No registration of log in required.
- No rig or antenna is required. All you need is some kind of key. If you don’t have a proper Morse key, you can use a mouse or the down arrow on your keyboard.
I think CWCOM is a great way for people to practice sending and gain what I call “key confidence” before actually going “live on air” on the HF bands.
A little bit about me
I am a former Royal Navy wireless telegraphist (1960 – 1972). My QTH is Portsmouth, England. I am 74 and I use straight keys only—a different one each day!!
I have managed to acquire 17 straight keys in the past five years and have done a lot of work refurbishing and delving into the history of each one. Stories about these keys can be found on another blog, http://nemosphotography.blogspot.com/. Each post includes a short video of me using the key on CWCOM.
I am “live” on channel 1000 (default calling channel) on CWCOM every day from about 1300 GMT to 2100 GMT. Come and see me on CWCOM to chat, ragchew, or practice.
This is great for those of us with extremely rusty CW skills. I was a monitor only morse code guy and having never transmitted a single character makes the use of CW a difficult prospect. I can understand the benefit of being able to work CW, especially since my voice is not playing nice tonight. One of my many goals to accomplish in the coming year is to become able to have a real QSO on air with someone else.
Thanks for bringing us these learning tools – I can use all the help I can get. Being a late bloomer when it comes to ham radio I want to do as many of the things hams can do with their equipment as I can afford to get involved in on a limited income. So far I have a lot of ground to cover with my gear before I am close to running out of new challenges.
Hi Steve.
Is there a group of assisted living hams without radio ability using this mode?
Will it work with android phone?
Great job Gerry at preserving CWCom and great article!
I am moving but ‘eventually’ we’ll wire the key and will be regular on nets!
Take care
Pierre, VE2HS
Is there a web based version, I am trying to integrate a “genuine” ww2 Morse code scenario into a tangible box game for a Secret Santa. This is my only online interactive element of the game due to the era of the games setting. (the rest is paper products and props, kinda like an escape room) (Think desert rats and Rommel) I would like the recipient to be able to send “intel” about Rommel’s moves using their mouse to me to decode and respond. A bit like Bletchley. But I think it is a lot to ask for them to download a program first. I am hoping you can help or maybe give me some suggestions. One of the props will be a straight key for authenticity. Can you help. I really want this to be an awesome experience.
Hi. Is CWCOM a spin-off if MRX-Morse? I use to use MRX-Morse quite a bit but when I changed computers I couldn’t find my registration key.
I have installed CWCOM on my windows 10 laptop and using serial to USB interface. Currently, I’m using paddles.
However, the fit and dahs are not crisp. Seems to be some type of delay. I’ve tried different settings but no change.
I enjoy CWCOM because it helps me with practicing my txmit.
Thanks in advance
73
can anyone send me info or links to info for sending/receiving code over the internet (computer or iPhone)? I think all I need is a key and a signal generator, but the info here seems to go a lot deeper
Hi Mike,
Sorry for delay in answering, this is not my website. KB6NU kindly reposted my message to him for general viewing
the blogsite address is https://morsepower.blogspot.com/
Where you will find pages of easy to follow instructions for connecting a key and how to download/install/set up cwcom on Windows Linux and MAC machines.
73
Gerry (G3MS on cwcom and qrzcq)
I don’t see a link to download this.
The link for CWCom is https://morsepower.blogspot.com/2016/08/cwcom-program-to-communicate-using.html.
Hi Gerry
Sonhappy that you have taken up the development of CWCom. Thevkast time I used ivwas approx 3 to 3-1/2byears in the Win8 OS.
I agree with Tom in his comment about a nerve wracking delay – especially notable when using paddles. Sure hope this can be remedied because CWCom is such a great program
All the best and 73 from SaintJohn, New Brunswick
Harold (VE9AAS)
HI Harold,
Sorry for delay in replying…. this is not my website KB6NU kindly posted my message to him for general viewing.
Haven`t noticed any delay on the keying to sound on cwcom when I tried out my home made paddle key. Unfortunately I did not write cwcom and do not have any access to the program`s internals to rectify this kind of problem,
If you are using cwcom on a Virtual Box set up, then there will be a delay due to “double processing” of the keying to the sound card, and this does cause a delay which is unacceptable for use. Normal install on Windows/Linux/Mac machines should be OK>
hope to see you soon
73
Gerry (G3MS on cwcom and qrzcq)
Hi Gerry,
Great to find you. I am 82 and was amongst the last of the Morse trained Telegraphists in the PMG Department (Post Office) in Western Australia in 1957. I was a member of the WA Morsecodians Fraternity until it was disbanded a couple of years ago. In fact I edited the Morsecodians newsletter for a couple of years.
A few years ago I tried wiring up my old Post Office Key and Sounder, with help from John and one or two after NBN disabled our ability to ‘talk’ over the local phone system. CwCom didn’t quite work for me then, and life got busy again. Have just wired up again,and am getting an oscillator morse signal and text on the CwCom screen using my old PMG key.
I will have another go at putting together the little board to make a connection for my old PMG landline sounder, but can you please tell me whether there is any way to get that landline sounder sound on the computer CWCom programme?
Also I have been calling up on Channel 1000, getting green and red lights to let me know that I am breaking in and connected, but am not hearing any other traffic or getting any response.
I wonder if I am not really connected even though your Morseman window is also confirming connection.
Perhaps I am just coming on at the wrong time of day. I note that you are on from 1.00pm GMT. I will try to get on board again after that time — around 8.00pm here.
I look forward to hearing from you all the way down here in Perth, Western Australia..
Regards … David
Hi David,
Sorry for delay in replying,…. this is not my website but KB6NU, very kindly put my message to him on here for general viewing.
If you check out the page https://morsepower.blogspot.com/2016/08/cwcom-getting-started-connecting.html and scroll down about 2.3rds you will find a paragraph about connecting sounder for use with cwcom… however, there is an updated version which follows the original and I suspect that this would be more appropriate for you.
CWCOM is not very busy, If you see your call on the IONOSPHERE page then you are connected to the server.. if you don`t see any other calls listed, then you are the only one there !.( unfortunately!) . so it is a matter of staying connected and waiting for someone to call you, when they turn up, meanwhile you can get on with other stuff on your computer … leaving cwcom running in the background.
Gerry (G3MS on cwcom and qrzcq)
I cannot consistently make characters using the downkey. They are almost always mangled and interpreted as other characters. So useless for me to get “on the air” with anyone.
Sorry for the delay ( 13months !.. ) This is not my blogsite/website… so I only look in occasionally.
If you are getting “garbage” when you transmit on CWCOM with either a straight or paddle key, it is due to having not set the “Transmit” speed on the CONFIG> Transmit tab.
You need to set this to your guesstimated speed, and then do some testing keeping your speed steady and ignoring any mistakes that you make or see on screen.
. keep repeating the test until you get “good copy” on screen..
The program is very critical of timing the dits, the dahs, the spaces between them and the spacing between letters and words.. so you have to be “forced ” to make good morse symbols for it to settle on your transmit speed.
If you use a straight key, when it is good copy on screen you can then put a tick in the “Lock” box.. but do not need to do that with paddle keys..
Gerry G3MS on cwcom and QRZCQ