USB CW Key for Vband

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I purchased a USB adapter to connect my CW paddles (1/8-inch audio plug) to the computer. I can now use Vband on-line chat to practice keying CW with other people.

The adapter simulates Left and Right Ctrl keys with the morse key, and the website interprets that as dits and dahs. It works really well.

I also found Morse Invaders, which is a typing tutor that uses CW: key the word before it hits your city.

Minor Linux Note: I use keyd to remap some keys on my laptop, so be aware how it may mess with the Ctrl Keys.

EFHW Test 2

Sun, 19 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

I ran out to Susquehanna Riverlands State Park (US-9719) to test the EFHW again. This time I tied it to a bush and a picnic table and raised the center with the fishing pole mast.

I took the time to sweep all the bands with the X6100’s built-in analyzer app. 40m looked like it could stand to have the wire slightly shorter, but when I transmitted, the SWR looked fine. I saw about 1.5:1 SWR on 40, 20, and 15. 10 was a little off, so I guess I’ll add the 100pf capacitor that most people use.

The tuner made 12m and 17m work, so I made FT8 contacts on 40m, 20m, 15m, and 17m.

I was also trying out some of the combo winder/unun I 3d printed and made some notes. I’ll post my remix soon of another person’s OpenSCAD code. I like the all-in-one designs that wrap up into one package, but I wonder how much that will hinder my random experimentation with antennas.

While transmitting, I noticed the Evolve 3 laptop’s mouse would stop responding. I had seen this on other laptops using the 1/4 wave HF vertical. I added the common mode choke to the feed line near the radio, and that cleared up. There was already a choke near the antenna, but I guess it wasn’t enough. I love when I can see a clear cause and effect or problem and solution.

Riverlands Sign

Riverlands Rain

Riverlands Operating

Computer on John Flinchbaugh KD3EE

USB CW Key for Vband

EFHW Test 2