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71
Project Logs / Re: Morse Paddle in Progress
« Last post by Joules on September 02, 2025, 06:16:15 PM »
That's a great picture Steve and real sobbering that the operators stayed on post till the batteries shorted out.   I learnt SOS as a cub scout when we were told the story of the Titanic, pretty much the start of my interest in Morse.   Seems even more relevant in these days of insecure digital communications and Morse's ability to be used in challenging conditions.
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Project Logs / Re: Morse Paddle in Progress
« Last post by vtsteam on September 02, 2025, 05:18:57 PM »
 [attachment id=0 msg=166113]
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Project Logs / Re: Morse Paddle in Progress
« Last post by vtsteam on September 02, 2025, 05:15:15 PM »
When in Quebec city I saw a big museum exhibition about the Titanic, complete with some reconstructions of rooms. Included was the radio room, which seemed to me quite small and scanty of equipment. At least compared to my imagined communications center for such a huge ship. There were the morse paddles on a table. I don't believe the room even had a porthole. If I remember correctly the two operators stayed until the water reached the radio room. It was a pretty sobering exhibit.
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Project Logs / Re: Morse Paddle in Progress
« Last post by kayzed1 on September 02, 2025, 05:00:29 PM »
 :beer: :beer: :beer:
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Project Logs / Re: Morse Paddle in Progress
« Last post by Joules on September 02, 2025, 04:36:00 PM »
I have a cunning fall back plan.   The little keyer I use is a USB device, it can be linked to a laptop and Morse sent and decoded at speed using Fldigi....

Shuush, don't tell anyone.....
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Project Logs / Re: Morse Paddle in Progress
« Last post by vtsteam on September 02, 2025, 03:53:51 PM »
That's great Joules!  :coffee:

Your tries learning Morse code sounds like my many tries at learning touch typing over the years. Even Mavis Beacon flunked me. 
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Project Logs / Re: Morse Paddle in Progress
« Last post by Joules on September 02, 2025, 03:26:11 PM »
Cheers Steve, got a large wire dipole I can put up after dark.    This winters build project is a QRP Labs QMX+

https://qrp-labs.com/qmxp.html

No I am not a HAM radio guy, but I do like to build and tinker.   The QMX+ can also be used on the 11m band (CB radio SSB)  I have friend in Poland I will try to contact on the 11m band.   Despite the QMX+ not being an approved CB, it more than complies with our RF power standards, which is more than can be said for most radios and operators around here.   Just have to see what the future brings, I do have a couple of CB radio's that can also be used as they support CW....   Again, offers a more select conversation than the local wannabe DJ's

I have been trying to learn Morse since my teens  so giving it one more go.
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Project Logs / Re: Morse Paddle in Progress
« Last post by vtsteam on September 02, 2025, 02:40:12 PM »
 :proj:

So cool, Joules!

Sorry I missed the start of this thread -- away on vacation to Quebec city, then brought daughter back to college in NYC.

So you're practicing Morse code!

I'm expecting a cat's whisker receiver next, and a looooong antenna. Quaker oats box coil, at least on this side of pond!

Oh also Fahnestock clip wiring on a wooden cigar box lid chassis!
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Project Logs / Re: Morse Paddle in Progress
« Last post by Joules on September 02, 2025, 12:06:23 PM »
Well, lets see if this works.   Video more manageable size...
 
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Project Logs / Re: Morse Paddle in Progress
« Last post by Joules on September 02, 2025, 11:25:49 AM »
Delayed as I was awaiting parts only for them to arrive and have an M6 x 0.75 thread.    Went to Arceuro site only to find them winding up business and none of the tooling I needed in stock  :bugeye:

Cromwell Tools to the rescue, so with new taps and dies on with the Morse Paddle.

Final bit of milling to do, I had intended to use a 3.5mm stereo jack as everyone else does.   However my Steam Punk-ish design called for something else.   As I had a bag full of audio leads I decided to go with a phono lead, more in keeping with the materials used.   This meant my ground screw was no longer needed, seen in the upper middle.

Finally completed paddle with phono's installed and the wood paddle fitted and trimmed ready for use, errr it still needs wiring.

Nothing fancy, No, I really mean nothing fancy.  I crimped some connectors only for them to be too large and potential for shorting or standing proud of the base.   They got cut off and the remaining crimp tinned and wire soldered direct.   The wire isn't great but it's what I had on hand.   Check for shorts, none found so paint wires in clear nail varnish to lock them in place and offer insulation round the terminals.

Last job, hook up the paddle and give it a test.   I actually shot a 17 second video, but can't figure how to get it off this iPhone and in a format that isn't stupidly large ???     It does work, and works a lot better than I can send.   Still learning Morse, do a bit every day (not on air) using a small electronic keyer that handles the paddle.   You hold the paddle to each side for continuous dit's or dah's

 
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