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Greetings All,
I don't see much mentioned lately regarding the MCT, but having recently purchased the 'Microcontroller Projects for Amateur Radio' book (via Amazon); I've decided I would like to build an MCT of my own.? I've been a licensed ham since 1971 and would like to take one last(?) crack at CW.
I've been searching the web for either a kit, or at the very least a PCB (as mentioned in the book) but so far haven't found anyone (in my hemisphere) currently offering one that goes with the text.? I also understand that the gerbers, schematics, source code etc., have been made available in the files section and github.? I just thought I'd ask before messing up square feet of perf board, whilst attempting to wire up the pieces-parts.
I also considered trying to have a PCB made, but I've only ever done that once. The results were good enough, I simply don't need a handful of boards when one will suffice. :)
Sorry for the ramble. Any advice...? Thanks.
73, Vern - N7GTB
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Hi Vern:
Good for you!! It's never too late to learn CW. BTW, the G4FON software () is very good for learning, too. (The video is worth watching.) It uses the Koch method for learning (with a Farnsworth dealy) and I think it works! It teaches you to learn Morse by the rhythm of the letters, rather than counting dits and dahs.
There
have evidently been several variations of the Tutor done, but the one by
Bruce Hall, W8BH, seems to be the most complete, including the Gerbers
and code. I have those, but not the permission to release them. Write to
Bruce and see if he will release them.
Jack, W8TEE
On Monday, May 12, 2025 at 02:36:31 PM EDT, Vern VanZ via groups.io <n7gtb@...> wrote:
Greetings All,
I don't see much mentioned lately regarding the MCT, but having recently purchased the 'Microcontroller Projects for Amateur Radio' book (via Amazon); I've decided I would like to build an MCT of my own.? I've been a licensed ham since 1971 and would like to take one last(?) crack at CW.
I've been searching the web for either a kit, or at the very least a PCB (as mentioned in the book) but so far haven't found anyone (in my hemisphere) currently offering one that goes with the text.? I also understand that the gerbers, schematics, source code etc., have been made available in the files section and github.? I just thought I'd ask before messing up square feet of perf board, whilst attempting to wire up the pieces-parts.
I also considered trying to have a PCB made, but I've only ever done that once. The results were good enough, I simply don't need a handful of boards when one will suffice. :)
Sorry for the ramble. Any advice...? Thanks.
73, Vern - N7GTB
-- Jack, W8TEE
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W8BH did put gerbers on his github as linked from ??
?
?
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Bruce has a groups.io for the Morse Code Tutor.? It has a link to his that seems to have all of the needed files.
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Thanks Jack, Doug and Terrance!
Assuming I decide to pursue having a PCB made, what are the current challenges (if any) using the available board manufacturers? Are they still mostly in Asia, and how have the tariffs affected getting small quantities made?
On Monday, May 12, 2025 at 12:17:30 PM PDT, Terrance Robertson, KN6ZDE via groups.io <tmrob4@...> wrote:
Bruce has a groups.io for the Morse Code Tutor.? It has a link to his that seems to have all of the needed files.
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I didn't build the Morse Code Tutor, but I did build the CW Messenger from chapter 10.? I built it on a protofboard.?
?
?
?
I'm sure the Morse Code Tutor build would be similar.
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On Mon, May 12, 2025 at 05:14 PM, Terrance Robertson, KN6ZDE wrote:
I didn't build the Morse Code Tutor, but I did build the CW Messenger from chapter 10.? I built it on a protofboard.?
?
Yup, I built the MCT on a solderless breadboard.? My plan was to make a pcb.? Full disclosure, something shiny distracted me and...
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I just asked my search engine to list US-based PCB manufacturers. The list contains 484 names. However, none comes close to the prices offered in China (e.g., PCBWay, SeeedStudio Fusion, etc). They may still have the best prices.
Jack, W8TEE
On Monday, May 12, 2025 at 05:08:59 PM EDT, Vern VanZ via groups.io <n7gtb@...> wrote:
Thanks Jack, Doug and Terrance!
Assuming I decide to pursue having a PCB made, what are the current challenges (if any) using the available board manufacturers? Are they still mostly in Asia, and how have the tariffs affected getting small quantities made?
On Monday, May 12, 2025 at 12:17:30 PM PDT, Terrance Robertson, KN6ZDE via groups.io <tmrob4@...> wrote:
Bruce has a groups.io for the Morse Code Tutor.? It has a link to his that seems to have all of the needed files.
-- Jack, W8TEE
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I checked the JLCPCB price a month or so ago. $4 for 5 boards up from $2. Not a big deal.?
--
John P.
WA2FZW
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On 2025-05-12 20:36, John P via groups.io wrote: I checked the JLCPCB price a month or so ago. $4 for 5 boards up from
$2. Not a big deal. *** That's not a big deal. The big deal is that their "Global Standard Line" $1.50 shipping went away, replaced by $22 DHL shipping. - Jerry, KF6VB
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Ive always used DHL
--
John P.
WA2FZW
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PCBWay was still offering the Global Express a
couple weeks ago when I placed an order for something else.?
JLCPCB had just stopped it that day. They told me it was because
their Global Express carrier had stopped delivering to USA.
Thank you.
Jim Pruitt
WA7DUY
On 5/12/2025 9:16 PM, jerry-KF6VB via
groups.io wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 2025-05-12
20:36, John? P via groups.io wrote:
I checked the JLCPCB price a month or so
ago. $4 for 5 boards up from
$2. Not a big deal.
*** That's not a big deal.? The big deal is that their "Global
Standard Line"
$1.50 shipping went away, replaced by $22 DHL shipping.
???????????? - Jerry, KF6VB
--
Jim Pruitt
WA7DUY
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I have a few W8BH Morse Tutor boards available for shipping costs+ (Had to order 5, used one)
Gary
W9TD
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Hi Gary,
I'm game for one (maybe two) board(s). Contact me off-list and maybe we can help each other out...
Thanks! 73, Vern N7GTB (at yahoo)
On Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 06:17:58 AM PDT, Gary W9TD via groups.io <w9td@...> wrote:
I have a few W8BH Morse Tutor boards available for shipping costs+ (Had to order 5, used one)
Gary
W9TD
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Gary, I'd like to try one of your boards, if you have any left.
Let me know how to proceed.
On 5/13/2025 9:17 AM, Gary W9TD via
groups.io wrote:
I have a few W8BH Morse Tutor boards available for shipping
costs+ (Had to order 5, used one)
Gary
W9TD
--
73
Bob W3RDL
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I think that changed again. ?Seems to change from day to day at this point. ?
Dr.?William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ ? Owner - Operator Big Signal Ranch – K9ZC Staunton, Illinois ? Owner – Operator Villa Grand Piton - J68HZ Soufriere, St. Lucia W.I. Rent it: www.VillaGrandPiton.com
email:??bill@... ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On May 13, 2025, at 12:52?AM, Jim Pruitt WA7DUY via groups.io <jpruitt67@...> wrote:
?
PCBWay was still offering the Global Express a
couple weeks ago when I placed an order for something else.?
JLCPCB had just stopped it that day. They told me it was because
their Global Express carrier had stopped delivering to USA.
Thank you.
Jim Pruitt
WA7DUY
On 5/12/2025 9:16 PM, jerry-KF6VB via
groups.io wrote:
On 2025-05-12
20:36, John? P via groups.io wrote:
I checked the JLCPCB price a month or so
ago. $4 for 5 boards up from
$2. Not a big deal.
*** That's not a big deal.? The big deal is that their "Global
Standard Line"
$1.50 shipping went away, replaced by $22 DHL shipping.
???????????? - Jerry, KF6VB
-- Jim Pruitt WA7DUY
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jjpurdum
John P
Gary W9TD
K9HZ