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It is harder to get together now for CW practice with keys and code practice oscillators. And the internet makes it easier to practice at random times, although making a “sked” can still be worthwhile.

I thought that I would try my version of the “dongle”, a mouse on which I had grafted another tail 11 years ago. I have three leads of a cable wired to the right and left mouse button pads and ground, with the other end of the cable to a ¼” TRS jack. I could plug in my key or my Bencher Paddle. This has worked OK with CWCom.

I tried it with my straight key on my HP Pavilion x60 portable computer using the Edge browser with a few tabs open and at least CWCom open at the same time. With my first try on the VBand practice channel there was distinct and variable delay with the sidetone. I found that confusing, for me the sidetone helps me keep track of where I am.

From the https://hamradio.solutions/vband/ website:
“Latency Issues – On some systems, there can be a noticeable delay between pressing a key, and hearing the sound from the speaker. This delay is due to the press being sent over USB, the Javascript code processing the press in the browser, and the sound system buffering. If this delay is a problem, we recommend closing all other applications and browser tabs, and anything else that can reduce CPU load.”

Then there was a ”Your computer will restart in inactive hours” flag that indicated that more work had to be done for a Windows Update. I have noticed before that when my computer is working on an update it becomes unbearably slow.

After I restarted the computer enough times to complete the Windows Update and I opened the https://hamradio.solutions/vband/ tab all by itself, with no other applications running, the sidetone was in sync with my keying. Although the VBand website recommends against pressing on mouse buttons, it seems that running a key through the mouse is fast enough.

David W6DS told me in an email of February 22, “We are glad to hear that you understand one of the possible causes of VBand latency. That being the Windows Update feature. It causes issue for many users and not just VBand. The issue is that it consumes a lot of resource and the only way to clear it up is to let windows update and then perform a fresh restart.”

He also stated, “Our main reason for recommending against a mouse is a user interface one. Our concern is that if your mouse drifts off of the VBand web site window you may wind up inadvertently clicking on things you didn’t want to. Our recommendation is to not leave Amazon running in the background with a lot of one-click buy options displayed while using mouse mode. ”

So, make sure that your mouse does not move if you use it that way.

Although my use of paddles is, at this point in time, worse than my straight keying I tried that with my mouse on VBand. I set the key to Iambic Mode A. The dits went just fine. I could not find the dahs from my paddles nor from my normal mouse. But the [ and ] keys did work like a clunky paddle. It seems that VBand is not set up to sense a right mouse button at this time.

I then tried the mouse/paddle arrangement on CWCom and it worked fine with both the dit and dah paddles.

In another email of February 22 David told me, “VBand uses the center mouse button for “dah” in mouse mode to avoid bringing up the context sensitive menu.”

So, I will have to modify my mouse a little if I want to use my paddles on VBand. Maybe I will try to install a switch on the right-side lead.

For Morse code letters that are well formed and properly separated are set up on a line, except on the channel where decoding is disabled. Each screen letter is delayed a little, so don’t do the variation of touch typing by looking at the screen to remember where you are. That will introduce a big inter-character delay in your keying. Listening to the sidetone should keep you aware of where you are.

I am impressed with VBand using a straight key through my modified mouse.

I’m not yet ready for prime time,

John VA6SJA

Thanks for the thumbs up.

I definitely need the drills you mention. But I do find it more interesting to try to communicate with someone using Morse Code. And I haven’t managed a permanent outside HF antenna because of aesthetic considerations and other financial priorities. And I don’t have 2 meter multi-mode transceiver, or any 6 meters at all yet.

The CWCom system allows 2 way practice, in an encouraging atmosphere, So, when I get on the radio, I hope to control my jitters and random key jabs. And you should hear the new letters that I make with my paddle! I know- drills!

Thanks again,
John

Gerry has suggested that I add:
” Although CWCOM was originally written ( by an Australian Radio Ham ) for Windows 95, it still works on all versions of Windows since… AND it can also be made to work on LINUX and MAC machines too… ( see relevant pages on the morsepower blog ) ”

and that “CWCOM does not need a licence to use it… it is FREE, no registration/password/login is required either…..
Thanks for promoting it… let`s hope that it helps your guys to gain “key confidence” ..

My note: The Australian Radio Ham who wrote the program CW Communicator was John Samin, VK1EME.

Or you can submit a comment for this posting. It will come to me.

John