web http://www.mrx.com.au email jwsamin@mrx.com.au

MRX Software

CWCom v1.47

Morse Code Communicator

Index

  1. Overview
  2. Installation
  3. Un-Installation
  4. Audio Problems
  5. Function Buttons
  6. Network or Internet Connection
  7. MorseMail
  8. IP Address
  9. Timing Configuration
  10. Morse Key Configuration
  11. Translation Configuration
  12. Morse Code Configuration
  13. Morse Key / Sounder Connection
  14. Morse Keys and Cables
  15. The Morse Library Editor

Overview

CW Communicator

CWCom is a Morse Code Chat program for your computer that uses your internet connection. The application will also work without an internet connection and in this case it will just be for Flashing Light or Morse Code practice. CWCom is a 32bit Windows application. It will run on all 32bit Windows Operating Systems Win95 to XP.

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CWCom features:

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Installation

Each computer should run its own copy of the application. If you run the program from a LAN drive there will be configuration conflicts.

Follow these steps to install CWCom on your system.

  1. Create a temporary folder to unpack the CWCom files.
  2. Copy the “cwcom_inst.exe” file to this folder.
  3. Run “cwcom_inst.exe” to unpack the setup files.
  4. Run the “setup.exe” program to install the application and icons on your PC.
  5. Click on the CWCom icon to run the program.

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Un-Installation

Remove CWCom using the Windows Add/Remove programs facility. You can find this from MyComputer >> Control Panel >> Add/Remove Programs.

Follow these steps to remove CWCom from your system.

  1. Locate CW Commmunicator in the Add/Remove Programs dialogue.
  2. Click on the Add/Remove button.
  3. Are you really sure?
  4. Select OK to remove CWCom from your computer.

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Audio Problems

CWCom will use the configured soundcard exclusively. If you do not have a soundcard, you cannot run CWCom.

No Audio?

Poor Audio or Clicking when keying morse code?

CWCOM Configuration

Other methods to reduce Key clicks.

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Function Buttons

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Available function buttons from top left to right include:

Top Of Window:

Bottom Of Window:

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Network or Internet Connection

There are three kinds of Connections supported by CWCom - computer to computer direct, via the IONOSPHERE (a server program that provides communications between many CWCom programs) and via a MORSEMAIL server. Connection to each is covered below.

Connection to the IONOSPHERE server

The IONOSPHERE Server provides real-time communications between CWCom users. For a complete and up-to-date listing of IONOSPHERE servers check out the CWCom page at http://www.mrx.com.au/d_cwcom.htm .

Here are the steps to connect to an IONOSPHERE server.

  1. You must be logged onto the INTERNET.
  2. Run a copy of CWCom on your computer.
  3. Press the Connect button (If you are unsure of which button, hold the mouse pointer over each button for a second or so, and a discription will display)
  4. You must configure the UDP Comms Connect window with network address of an IONOSPHERE server. At the moment the only server is morsecode.dyndns.org though if other servers become available they will be listed on the CWCom page at http://www.mrx.com.au/d_cwcom.htm .
  5. Enter a callsign or name into the "Callsign" line.
  6. Normally you can leave the local Port details set to AUTO.
  7. Press the connect button.
  8. The CX (connected) light on the main CWCom window will turn GREEN if you have connected successfully. Each CWComm program will send regular messages to the respective remote computer to keep the CX light GREEN. The CX light will turn off if the regular update is not received, so this may indicate a connection problem.
  9. Adjust the Channel number to find a clear place, or to find someone to talk to. See the BAND PLAN below...

CWCom Connect

Band Plan, or how to make contact...

If connected to the IONOSPHERE server you will need to find somewhere you can make contact with others. The default channel of 1000 is best for new comers, though adjacent channels are often in use. Check the web view for where to find active users.

Connection to the MORSEMAIL server

The MorseMail concept was developed by Harry AB7TB, you can find further information on MorseMail at http://www.brasspounder.com As other MORSEMAIL servers become available check out the CWCom page at http://www.mrx.com.au/d_cwcom.htm .

Here are the steps to connect to an MORSEMAIL server.

  1. You must be logged onto the INTERNET.
  2. Run a copy of CWCom on your computer.
  3. Select the MorseMail tab page.
  4. Press the Connect button (If you are unsure of which button, hold the mouse pointer over each button for a second or so, and a discription will display)
  5. You must configure the Morse Mail Connect window with network address of a MORSEMAIL server. At the moment use brasspounder.com though if more servers become available then these will be displayed on the CWCom page at http://www.mrx.com.au/d_cwcom.htm .
  6. Enter a callsign or name into the "Callsign" line.
  7. Normally you should leave the MorseMail Port details set to 8873.
  8. Press the connect button.
  9. The MorseMail Client program will display. This window has special features for interacting with the MorseMail server.
  10. The CX (connected) light on the main CWCom window will turn GREEN if you have connected to the MorseMail Client successfully. The CWCom program will send regular messages to the MorseMail Client to keep the CX light GREEN. The CX light will turn off if the regular update is not received, so this may indicate a connection problem.
  11. Adjust the MorseMail Channel label to find a clear place, or to find someone to talk to. MorseMail is more like an email system for morse code, it is easy to leave messages there for people you know or wish to talk to.

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Above, the MorseMail Connect window and below is the MorseMail Client. The Morse Mail client converts CWCom messages to Brasspounder format.

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Computer to Computer Connection

There are a few steps that must be carried out so that the local CWCom program can chat to the remote CWCom program.

  1. This will work over the INTERNET or over a LAN connection.
  2. Each computer must be running a copy of CWCom.
  3. You must configure the UDP Comms Connect window with the remote computers network address.
  4. Press the connect button.
  5. It doesn't matter which computer connects first.

The indication you have that the remote and local computer have connected is that the CX light on the main window, will go GREEN. Each CWCom program will send regular messages to the respective remote computer to keep the CX light GREEN. The CX light will turn off if the regular update is not received, so this may indicate a connection problem.

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Remote Details for Connect window:

Local Details for Connect window:

Example

Here are the IP Address details of two computers for the LOCAL Details:

Computer 1 Computer 2
IP 192.168.0.11 IP 192.168.0.12
Port 7890 Port 7890
Call VK1EME Call VK4MAR

NOTE: This is an example, these IP Addresses are fictional and will not work for you

Here is what each computer will use in the REMOTE connection:

Computer 1 Remote Details Computer 2 Remote Details
IP 192.168.0.12 IP 192.168.0.11
Port 7890 Port 7890

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IP Address

There are two main methods of IP addressing, dynamic and static. Most internet connections use dynamic IP addressing, where each time an internet connection is made the Internet Service Provider (ISP) provides the computer with an address from one of the many they can allocate. Static IP addressing is more often used for permanent internet connections and Local Area Networks. CWCom will work with both types of addressing.

Finding out your IP Address

Windows 95-2000

Use the Windows utility winipcfg.exe to find the computer's current IP address. Windows 2000 users may also be able to use ipconfig.exe the command line IP address utility.

NT 4

Use the NT command line utility ipconfig.exe ( the /all switch is best) to find the current IP address.

Use email or ICQ to inform the remote CWCom user of your IP address to set up the CWCom connection. If your computer uses dynamic IP addressing you will have to find out your IP address and supply it to the remote user each time you wish to configure CWCom for a remote connection.

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MorseMail

MorseMail servers allow you to send and transmit morse code over the internet. Tools provided for MorseMail allow you to leave messages on the server and readback messages left by other users. MorseMail is mainly used for near real-time QSO's. See above for information on connecting to a MorseMail server.

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The MorseMail Client is pictured above. It is accessable after connecting to a MorseMail server from the Connect window. The main functions of the window are covered below:

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The Search Form.

Enter a callsign, select a channel and a date and press the "Search" button. Results will be returned in the Search Form, below.

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The (Search) Results Form.

Searching can take a while, press the "Stop Search" button if you need to stop.

MorseMail Transmit Text

The Transmit Text Form.

Press the "Play" button to replay your transmitted text, or press the "Clear" button to delete the text. You can copy any MorseMail text to the clipboard, press and the "Clipboard" button to paste it into the View Morse TX window - now press "Play" to play it....

MorseMail Client Log File

The Log File.

CWCom settings for MorseMail

CWCom MorseMail Settings.

Access the CWCom MorseMail settings from the Settings button on the main CWCom form. These settings specify the communications options when dealing with a MorseMail server.

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Timing Configuration

Use this tab page window to view Morse Code timing information and to set the way CWCom transmit functions. The following configuration items are available:

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Morse Key Configuration

Use this tab page window to set up the type of Morse Key conected to your computer. The following configuration items are available:

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Note: The default Morse Key "Keyboard" refers to the DOWN ARROW navigation key (not NUMPAD) on the keyboard. Typing characters using the keyboard will work with any Morse Key selection. When Keyboard is selected, use the DOWN ARROW as a Morse Key, however CWCom must be the active application....

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Translation Configuration

Use this tab page window to set up Morse Code Text translations. The following configuration items are available:

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Morse Code Configuration

Use this tab page window to set up Morse Code and Flashing Light display and sounding options. The following configuration items are available:

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Morse Key/Sounder Connection

You can set the type of morse key you are using through configuration. Build a DB-15 connector to plug a morse key into the joystick port, or make a DB-9 or DB-25 connector to utilise the serial port of your PC. Connections are detailed below. The default morse key is the Down Arrow button for a Manual morse key.

To plug your MANUAL or IAMBIC key into the PC, you must make a cable using a MALE DB-15 (joystick) plug, or FEMALE DB-9 or DB-25 plug for the serial port. See Morse Keys and Cables below for details on where to get ready made cables for CWCom.

Joystick Port Interface:

Two Axis Joystick

Ensure that your Joystick Controller ID is #1. This is set via the Gaming Options, or Joystick options for Windows. These are normally located in the Control Panel.

Three Axis Joystick

Ensure that your Joystick Controller ID is #1. This is set via the Gaming Options, or Joystick options for Windows. These are normally located in the Control Panel.

Serial (COM) Port Interface

NO resistors are required for the serial port connection.

DB9 – 9 Pin Serial Port Connection

DB9 Image

DB25 – 25 Pin Serial Port Connection

Mouse Interface

You can use your mouse buttons as a morse key, or better still modify a USB mouse to work off your morse key. That way you can have two Mouses (mice) connected at the same time. The left mouse button is the dit / manual key and the right button is the dah key. You will have to use your own resources to work the connections out. When using the mouse, point the cursor in the confines of the Flashing Light Box.

Sounder Interface

The serial port provides output pins that can be connected to a Sounder (early Morse receive device) or used for an external flashing light. Here is the interface Circuit you can use:

Sounder Circuit for CWCom

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Morse Keys and Cables

If you need an Iambic Morse Key or a ready made cable to suit your computer, why not check out the "BullDog" Iambic Key and other products by K9LU Click Here!

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The Morse Library Editor

Use the Morse Definition Library Editor (MDLE.EXE) to create and edit Morse symbols used with CWCom. Access the Morse Library Editor from the CWCom Morse Library speed button.

Transmitted Text Display

You can use the editor to define new Morse symbols and the text that is displayed for the symbol. As an example the first symbol defined is the letter A. You could modify the Response field to contain "This is the letter A". After the library was saved and CWCom restarted, each time the letter A was transmitted the text "This is the letter A" will be displayed.

Text to Morse

The Morse Library is also consulted when incoming text is to be sounded as Morse Code. CWCom will sound the text according to the dit and dah segments outlined in the Symbol field. Thus the text "B" would map to 3111 or DAH DIT DIT DIT.

For further information on the editor press the button marked Help.

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Acknowledgements:

Windows 95-2000 and NT are registered names of Microsoft Corporation.

ICQ is the registered name of ICQ incorporated.

(c) MRX Software 2000

http://www.mrx.com.au

email jwsamin@mrx.com.au