I appreciate you making this video. I purchased one of these yesterday at an estate sale for $2.00. I'm a retired Navy CTT so I knew what it was. I also recognized the value of the parts alone. I'm planning to make a 3D printed case for mine.
Thrilled to see the Decoder an "epic failure" via your demo. The best decoder is the one between your ears. No one ever learns CW using a decoder. Great demo!
I was a USN radioman. Good to copy Cw up at least 25 wpm. Used to love doing contests, rag chew all that. Then I ended up with essential tremor, which put me off the air on CW for decades. Piero Begali helped me get past that. Discovered that everyone had gone to computer generated CW over 40 wpm. Just now getting back on the air & got one of these to help my jaded ears copy these machine code show offs. Ain’t a bad device but I had to modify the resistors around the tone control to match what my ancient ears now tolerate. Still not a bad deal. We’ll see how it works in the next CW contest.
The 'char/min' is an abbreviation for 'characters/minute' or 'characters per minute'. So 93 char/min would mean 93 characters per minute...as in sending or receiving speed, depending on what you're using the decoder for.
This video was made over three years ago and this item is still being sold, and still without instructions. Thanks for this video Steve. After spending a lot of time on it, I could not get the key input to work and did not try the audio input, which as you said, is not very good in any case. I would not recommend the purchase of this item.
Just a little point.... Telling people to make sure negative is earth doesn't help. Saying the centre pin is positive would help, as guitar effects power supplies have negative centre pin.
Just starting my code learning journey so i picked it up on amazon. Watched your video and tried it… no joy. For on air decodes but it did give me visual feed back when i used the paddle to practice so that’s what i will use it for. For now. Thanks for the content.
Decoders are very tone sensistive. If it is set for 670Hz and the radio tuning makes the tone 700 Hz you will get garbage. As shown backing off on the signal does help but tone is important. The largest problem with decoders is simply the no spaces, all dits, bad code on the air. Decoders are a good check for your sending, especially for spacing. If you send a A N and decode a P you have work to do. Some OM are very animated that decoders and other gagets are BAD. While I will agree they may be a distraction and add time to properly learn CW anything that gets someone to listen to CW is good. Given enough time they will learn code inspite of the toys. TMI - Most decoders use a PLL to detect the CW, the loop bandwidth can be very narrow, the tone must be close.
Excellent job on analyzing and presenting the details. Especially when you got the kit with no accompanying instructions. The device happens to be not very good at decoding, highly dependent on good signal quality and perfect keying. That is true also of many of the much more expensive decoders too. Most keyers of today send perfectly. But receiving Morse more reliably awaits advancements in AI. Thanks for the video. 73 from KD2KWH.
Thanks for telling us the connections. I just bought one, I knew it was 9-12 volts centre positive socket, with my meter as there are no instructions I'm waiting for a stereo to stereo 3.5mm lead, only have mono & no spare plugs to make one. I will find some commercial morse sent by a computer from the Israeli army in the 6.6 MHz range. I have used software & is pretty perfect when there a good signal, or there's a commercial station in the 8 MHz range which says over & over "free radio medical service" I'll adjust the pot. 73's
Same experience here with the one I got. Takes a strong signal in order to decode. When the signal fades (though still copyable) the little Chicom decoder can't handle it. I've got an ancient (and huge) Microcraft Code Star decoder which doesn't miss a character; if the ear can decode it; so can the Code Star. But, that thing cost big bucks back in the day.
Although it has its short comings why not do some experimenting by making different filters to improve the incoming signal. if the radio is picking up a lot of noise , ' As HF does" why not compare try it on an SDR qrp radio or similar where the back ground noise has been improved by the use of digital filters . And for the cost of few dollars what do you expect, isn't ham radio about experimenting and trying different things or has that time now come and gone overtime with our expectations. We are now spoilt with new radios and equipment as new items flood the market of choice as new improved technology moves forward . Our forefathers that used ham and those who had no choice to use what they were given or build what had to work with , what would they think now if they seen what we have to day ?. It will be the same with the next generation in another 20 years as they look back , and the next after that one and so on. I like seeing reviews and I think t is great people go out there away to show others but at the same time, there are a lot of wingers over a few dollars..... instead of taking a problem and looking in way of improving it as a project, Ah its from China its crap ill just through it i the bin , where is most of your equipment made today? back to basics is always a good refresher to see how far we have come.
Thanks so much for this review! I was about to buy one as I thought it might serve as a practice oscillator for an iambic paddle - but alas no paddle inputs.
Just got one. My CW is rusty like hell. It was about 10-12 WPM, and that was 30 yrs ago. We'll see...oh, they're $20 now in 2023😢😂 TNX for the funny vid!!👏
I had no luck getting mine to function. I plugged a stereo aux cable out of my MFJ oscillator, into the right side. Then plugged a small speaker into the left side to monitor. I could hear the tones going through... No matter how I dialed the oscillator tone, and dialed the pot on the decoder device I never got the light to light up. I tried doing the contiuous tone at various settings on the oscillator, and slowly turning the pot through its entire range, and the light never lit up.
Got one to play with; observation; very sensitive to static noise in the audio. Considering adding a 567 and 555 to detect signal tone and regenerate a cleaner signal for this board. 100% copy on pre-recorded (no static) practice audio CW. Fun for the price.
Wow your good at that! I always wanted to learn morse code...I think I will buy one those cheap gadgets and look for the rest in a vintage auction. Thanks for your video my man!👍😉🇨🇦
Thank You for the informative video.. I was about to purchase one on Ebay until i seen that it is not very reliable copying code. I'll stick with my old Texas instrument computer and interface. Best 73
Well Steve I really appreciate you making this video... I don't know anything about Morse Code but am looking for a decoder to help me learn as I am a dedicated Shortwave listener. I hate to to spend my hard earned money for junk or something to aggravate me. Thanks for the video and 73's
They work sort of, funky would be the over all opinion. I got the key working and it would decode but inconsistent (not all me) and no audio. I will not give up on it of course I have $10 invested in it, so I will dedicate a couple hundred hours to try and recoup my money
it says on most of the sites that it is meant to read from computer only ,,,and only some say that it can actually read from a radio because of the noise problem
If you want a decoder/reader that works look for an old ERA Microreader. They work for CW RTTY. The ERA has built in tutor for sending with a key or auto for receive practice as well. The later ones could also decode Navtex. ** Navtex needs Mk4 Firmware revision. ** All the modes work well when connected to receiver audio output. **
I had a AEA Packratt 232 and 64. real old hardware TNC or multimode data controllers. MFJ made them too. It sent and received just fine once it adjusted to the speed. It would even copy my sending!
I have had one of these decoders for some time now and never used it ,now i have seen your demonstration i think the best place for this decoder is in the trash can/bin!!. i think WA8QFE got it Right in his last comment. the best decoder is yourself!!.
hello and nice video / demo ! i suppose char/min means charachters per minute, but is not the standard as we normally talk about WPM (words per minute). wonder if a firmware update would be availabel, do you have any clue ?
Personally, I'd be worried to use this with a practice oscillator. I think it may discourage more than assist. I'd prefer being told that my code looked right but my timings were loose... rather than be told _'all was garbage, give up'_ HI HI Seems a decent CW decoder should track a buffer, so that it can adjust parameters and do "late correction" on previously displayed characters as the senders timing margins become clearer. I think that, and smart tone detection, are probably a software thing and not so suitable for discrete electronics. I could be wrong, but I've yet to see a robust discrete decoder.
I’m new to this so I’ll ask. If I make an oscillator with an NE555 circuit, can I feed the output of that circuit directly into this device to read my coding?
A computer running CW Skimmer can decode anything. It forms the basis for the Reverse Beacon system and is just amazing. However this thing is pretty useless.
Eventually we will move into computer generated morse and computer deciphering of morse. I use a laptop with HRD software and get better copy than i can do in my head and much better sending than i can do with my paddles or keyer. Its not the copy i get thats so hard to decipher its the really horribly sending and mistakes and running all characters together without spacing.
Well anyway, it arrived in the mail from China after six weeks; Watched the video on RUclips, without which I think we'd all be lost. Works well with the MFJ 422B-X keyer, shows up my poor fist. All thats needed now is a decent cw signal at this QTH to see if it Really works...
I’m learning Morse, and will try and avoid these decoders. I recon using decoders will make you a lazy and poor operator. Repetition is the way. I learnt banjo without any aid, 3-4yrs of frustration , but it comes in the end.!
I think the inside hollow part (not tip) is positive. It is the hole in the center. The exposed outside part is the ground or negative. As is usual with plug-in DC power supplies. Check with a simple multimeter if in doubt.
![Clave Especial x Fuerza Regida - No Pasa Nada [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3u2jaju71IQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I appreciate you making this video. I purchased one of these yesterday at an estate sale for $2.00. I'm a retired Navy CTT so I knew what it was. I also recognized the value of the parts alone. I'm planning to make a 3D printed case for mine.
Thrilled to see the Decoder an "epic failure" via your demo. The best decoder is the one between your ears. No one ever learns CW using a decoder. Great demo!
I was a USN radioman. Good to copy Cw up at least 25 wpm. Used to love doing contests, rag chew all that. Then I ended up with essential tremor, which put me off the air on CW for decades. Piero Begali helped me get past that. Discovered that everyone had gone to computer generated CW over 40 wpm. Just now getting back on the air & got one of these to help my jaded ears copy these machine code show offs. Ain’t a bad device but I had to modify the resistors around the tone control to match what my ancient ears now tolerate. Still not a bad deal. We’ll see how it works in the next CW contest.
That is a BEAUTIFUL old Collins receiver!
As you pointed out is a great device for practicing sending good code. More people should get one and see how poor their fist is.
The 'char/min' is an abbreviation for 'characters/minute' or 'characters per minute'. So 93 char/min would mean 93 characters per minute...as in sending or receiving speed, depending on what you're using the decoder for.
I always wanted to hear Hank Hill narrate an educational video... My Day is complete.
Need some propane and accessories?
cw and cw accessories
This video was made over three years ago and this item is still being sold, and still without instructions. Thanks for this video Steve. After spending a lot of time on it, I could not get the key input to work and did not try the audio input, which as you said, is not very good in any case. I would not recommend the purchase of this item.
Just a little point.... Telling people to make sure negative is earth doesn't help. Saying the centre pin is positive would help, as guitar effects power supplies have negative centre pin.
96 chr./min means 96 characters per minute,I think.thanks for this interesting video.
Just starting my code learning journey so i picked it up on amazon. Watched your video and tried it… no joy. For on air decodes but it did give me visual feed back when i used the paddle to practice so that’s what i will use it for. For now. Thanks for the content.
In the Royal Navy my instructor could read morse with out writing down. It had to accurate being in code a matter of life and death situation.
I could type in 70'
Decoders are very tone sensistive. If it is set for 670Hz and the radio tuning makes the tone 700 Hz you will get garbage. As shown backing off on the signal does help but tone is important.
The largest problem with decoders is simply the no spaces, all dits, bad code on the air.
Decoders are a good check for your sending, especially for spacing. If you send a A N and decode a P you have work to do.
Some OM are very animated that decoders and other gagets are BAD. While I will agree they may be a distraction and add time to properly learn CW anything that gets someone to listen to CW is good. Given enough time they will learn code inspite of the toys.
TMI - Most decoders use a PLL to detect the CW, the loop bandwidth can be very narrow, the tone must be close.
Excellent job on analyzing and presenting the details. Especially when you got the kit with no accompanying instructions.
The device happens to be not very good at decoding, highly dependent on good signal quality and perfect keying.
That is true also of many of the much more expensive decoders too.
Most keyers of today send perfectly.
But receiving Morse more reliably awaits advancements in AI.
Thanks for the video.
73 from KD2KWH.
Thanks for telling us the connections. I just bought one, I knew it was 9-12 volts centre positive socket, with my meter as there are no instructions I'm waiting for a stereo to stereo 3.5mm lead, only have mono & no spare plugs to make one. I will find some commercial morse sent by a computer from the Israeli army in the 6.6 MHz range. I have used software & is pretty perfect when there a good signal, or there's a commercial station in the 8 MHz range which says over & over "free radio medical service" I'll adjust the pot. 73's
Thanks Steve was looking for instructions but found your video on the tube. Everything I needed to know. Thank you sir.
I bought the same one.. Ended using the LCD for my DDS project..
Same experience here with the one I got. Takes a strong signal in order to decode. When the signal fades (though still copyable) the little Chicom decoder can't handle it. I've got an ancient (and huge) Microcraft Code Star decoder which doesn't miss a character; if the ear can decode it; so can the Code Star. But, that thing cost big bucks back in the day.
Although it has its short comings why not do some experimenting by making different filters to improve the incoming signal.
if the radio is picking up a lot of noise , ' As HF does" why not compare try it on an SDR qrp radio or similar where the back ground noise has been improved by the use of digital filters .
And for the cost of few dollars what do you expect, isn't ham radio about experimenting and trying different things or has that time now come and gone overtime with our expectations. We are now spoilt with new radios and equipment as new items flood the market of choice as new improved technology moves forward .
Our forefathers that used ham and those who had no choice to use what they were given or build what had to work with , what would they think now if they seen what we have to day ?.
It will be the same with the next generation in another 20 years as they look back , and the next after that one and so on.
I like seeing reviews and I think t is great people go out there away to show others but at the same time, there are a lot of wingers over a few dollars..... instead of taking a problem and looking in way of improving it as a project, Ah its from China its crap ill just through it i the bin , where is most of your equipment made today? back to basics is always a good refresher to see how far we have come.
Thank you, Steve. Mine arrived today and I was searching for instructions 🥴 maybe it wasn’t such a good idea! 73’s M6ERU
The answer is for folks to learn CW. The decoders can't copy a bug very well either !
Lee, WA8QFE
Your ears were made fer CW and visa versa!
Thanks so much for this review! I was about to buy one as I thought it might serve as a practice oscillator for an iambic paddle - but alas no paddle inputs.
Thank you Steeve, Your american accent is so easy to understand I like!
Greetings from France!
I must agree with you, I ended up putting mine in the bin.
Just got one. My CW is rusty like hell. It was about 10-12 WPM, and that was 30 yrs ago. We'll see...oh, they're $20 now in 2023😢😂 TNX for the funny vid!!👏
I had no luck getting mine to function. I plugged a stereo aux cable out of my MFJ oscillator, into the right side. Then plugged a small speaker into the left side to monitor. I could hear the tones going through... No matter how I dialed the oscillator tone, and dialed the pot on the decoder device I never got the light to light up. I tried doing the contiuous tone at various settings on the oscillator, and slowly turning the pot through its entire range, and the light never lit up.
Thanks Steve. One of these was in a hamfest bargain box. Thanks to this video I got it going.
Got one to play with; observation; very sensitive to static noise in the audio. Considering adding a 567 and 555 to detect signal tone and regenerate a cleaner signal for this board. 100% copy on pre-recorded (no static) practice audio CW. Fun for the price.
thanks for saving me $10!
That trimpot is probably there for adjusting the decoder response pitch. if they dont match, it cannot decode successfully
Wow your good at that! I always wanted to learn morse code...I think I will buy one those cheap gadgets and look for the rest in a vintage auction. Thanks for your video my man!👍😉🇨🇦
Thank You for the informative video.. I was about to purchase one on Ebay until i seen that it is not very reliable copying code. I'll stick with my old Texas instrument computer and interface. Best 73
Yess
But that Radio is super beautiful 😍
Well Steve I really appreciate you making this video... I don't know anything about Morse Code but am looking for a decoder to help me learn as I am a dedicated Shortwave listener. I hate to to spend my hard earned money for junk or something to aggravate me. Thanks for the video and 73's
There's computer programs that decode very well if you're interested.
They work sort of, funky would be the over all opinion. I got the key working and it would decode but inconsistent (not all me) and no audio. I will not give up on it of course I have $10 invested in it, so I will dedicate a couple hundred hours to try and recoup my money
Excelente this video!! Best regards!
I like that it is picky, as I plan on using this to learn CW.
it says on most of the sites that it is meant to read from computer only ,,,and only some say that it can actually read from a radio because of the noise problem
If you want a decoder/reader that works look for an old ERA Microreader. They work for CW RTTY. The ERA has built in tutor for sending with a key or auto for receive practice as well. The later ones could also decode Navtex. ** Navtex needs Mk4 Firmware revision. ** All the modes work well when connected to receiver audio output. **
I love this kind of Hobby
That last button is to change the Characters Per Minute / Speed :)
thanks for posting this video. Have you come across any other devices or software that works better?
Found this, great video, why was I surprised it was you :) !!!
I had a AEA Packratt 232 and 64. real old hardware TNC or multimode data controllers. MFJ made them too. It sent and received just fine once it adjusted to the speed. It would even copy my sending!
I have had one of these decoders for some time now and never used it ,now i have seen your demonstration i think the best place for this decoder is in the trash can/bin!!.
i think WA8QFE got it Right in his last comment. the best decoder is yourself!!.
Just got mine using websdr to find some CW transmissions. Works great
I use one on my smartphone, I just set it up against the radio and it gets 90% of the stuff correct.
The second station you tuned into wasn’t on the correct tone frequency, this is the reason for poor decode
Steve which side of my DC power supply plug should be pos....I suspect the inner...the socket is not marked.
96 characters per minute maximum
Thank you, for the Morse decoder video
hello and nice video / demo !
i suppose char/min means charachters per minute, but is not the standard as we normally talk about WPM (words per minute). wonder if a firmware update would be availabel, do you have any clue ?
Even though I have no idea I can still proclaim a resounding NO. Perhaps they will introduce version II some day.
thanks, save my money. figured being so cheap that it would be.
Personally, I'd be worried to use this with a practice oscillator. I think it may discourage more than assist. I'd prefer being told that my code looked right but my timings were loose... rather than be told _'all was garbage, give up'_ HI HI
Seems a decent CW decoder should track a buffer, so that it can adjust parameters and do "late correction" on previously displayed characters as the senders timing margins become clearer. I think that, and smart tone detection, are probably a software thing and not so suitable for discrete electronics.
I could be wrong, but I've yet to see a robust discrete decoder.
thanks, i was wondering for shtf with the uBITX Version 6 HF SSB and CW Transceiver would recieve some and better than nothing
Is it centre positive and negative shield on the barrel connector?
Edit: I answered my own question. Yes, it's centre positive and negative shield.
Thank you so much for posting - this saved me hours of messing about. Great explanation! 73
I’m new to this so I’ll ask. If I make an oscillator with an NE555 circuit, can I feed the output of that circuit directly into this device to read my coding?
...i am thinking about adding in a audio band pass filter...
What cables do I buy for the translator? I have cw cable and paddle also have the ac power cord what are the oTher cords I need thanks kc0kru
CW decoder belongs--in the nog nog!
How about paddle key?it works on paddle key? I means connect on your left a paddle key instead strait key.
Characters per minute? I've never seen a supposed 'decoder' that worked worth a crap on the air.
A computer running CW Skimmer can decode anything. It forms the basis for the Reverse Beacon system and is just amazing. However this thing is pretty useless.
thanks kc4gst
I have had very good success with the K-42 Morse keyboard/reader by K1EL. It is about $100 and is a kit but is ruggedly effective.
96 characters per minute (what I just copied) that is about 19 WPM....
19×5 = 95 ie 96
U mean 95 cpm
Thanks for this video.👍
Could you show us how to hook it up to a wired telegraph system?
Gratidão. Você salvou me de gastar meu money.
This work very well @ 35 WPM only.
Thank you for the video!
thanks for saving me $$ !
It decode chinese caracter perfectly! Only.
It is fully approved by the CCP in Beijing to fk over the "round eyes " I think !! Tim Fidler in Auckland- never forget the Rainbow Warrior !!
Eventually we will move into computer generated morse and computer deciphering of morse. I use a laptop with HRD software and get better copy than i can do in my head and much better sending than i can do with my paddles or keyer. Its not the copy i get thats so hard to decipher its the really horribly sending and mistakes and running all characters together without spacing.
Characters per minute
it's the decoding rate 96 characters per minute. 73 de AA9GG
Something to play with
one company selling this equipment not complete such as cable and manual book
Well anyway, it arrived in the mail from China after six weeks; Watched the video on RUclips, without which I think we'd all be lost. Works well with the MFJ 422B-X keyer, shows up my poor fist. All thats needed now is a decent cw signal at this QTH to see if it Really works...
Char/min
Is how many characters per minute you keyed
I’m learning Morse, and will try and avoid these decoders.
I recon using decoders will make you a lazy and poor operator.
Repetition is the way.
I learnt banjo without any aid, 3-4yrs of frustration , but it comes in the end.!
What type of 9V Power Adapter is required: Tip Positive or Tip Negative?
Steve said Ground is neg. So, the tip is positive?
I think the inside hollow part (not tip) is positive. It is the hole in the center.
The exposed outside part is the ground or negative.
As is usual with plug-in DC power supplies.
Check with a simple multimeter if in doubt.
In 2023 I couldn't find it for $10 bucks but only for about 19.
Characters Per minute (instead of wpm)
Interesting BT came out as = sign.
Yes. BT is always the equal sign when using a keyboard.
Thanks Steve...I will keep my $10 then.
Continuous wave decoder
Thanks, I have the same one and works about the same.
96 characters per minute
It's a Morse code decoder.
Characters per minute..betcha.. de W0QR
It can't read "P" of previously...
Like said before, is not even a toy...parts only good for other projects :(
Nice that you made a video for future buyers...
Its only $10 better than Mfj's 464 keyer /reader what a load of junk that unit is surprised they still sell it .
*** CW Decoder ,, Very good !!,,, 사용하고 싶습니다,,,
Can you apply 12 volts to this code reader off the standard DC power supply
9 volts
how can i buy this device from nepal
Thanks Steve been trying to find out how it works 73 Phil G0BVD
tôi ở Việt Nam, tôi muốn mua cái máy này như thế nào?
I have bought two, neither worked properly.Very disappointed.
its characters per minute
This would be NVG (not very good)
do amateur people send out these gibberish about their fascination about japanese people all day in cw bands ?