20 WPM CW Morse code trainer

KG9E

About this app

For a tasklist to familiarize yourself with this app,

Hold the [ About this app ] button

or visit

https://kg9e.net/CWMorseCodeTrainerGuide.htm

No ads, nags, or in-app purchases. No internet connection required. Fully functional offline learning app.

Using an approach similar to the Koch method, this 20 WPM Morse code CW learning app for Android focuses on listening to Morse code rather than visually learning dots and dashes.

Choose RX or TX Alphanumeric training, or select from Numbers, Prosigns, and Abbreviations.

Alphanumeric = ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ./?0123456789

Numbers = 0123456789

CW Prosigns = BT, HH, K, KN, SK, SOS, AA, AR, AS, CT, NJ, SN

CW Abbreviations = CQ, DE, BK, QTH, OP, UR, RST, 599, HW, FB, WX, ES, TU, 73, CL, QRL


There are two RX interface styles. You may use an external USB or Bluetooth keyboard with either interface.

1) Keypad:

Android plays a character in Morse code and your task is to tap or type the matching character using the app's Default or QWERTY keypad, or external keyboard. Once you have learned a character set with 90% proficiency, a new character is introduced. You will soon have a large pool of characters from which Android will choose, weighted toward those characters learned with a lower proficiency and those with least exposure before selecting randomly from the pool.

2) Copy Pad:

While using the Copy Pad, you are able to receive a string of Morse code characters and write in the whitespace with your finger or stylus. After the string is presented, the app pauses briefly so that you may self-check your accuracy. The whitespace is then automatically cleared and a new string of characters is played. You may change the word length from 1 to 10 characters. The Copy Pad DOES NOT attempt to recognize your handwriting. If an external keyboard is used, then the app will compare the chosen string with what you have typed, displaying incorrect characters in red and those typed correctly in black.

There is one TX interface style.

1) Horizontal lever (straight key):

A character is played in Morse code, and you must tap out that character on the simulated straight lever. When you have learned to send a set of characters with 90% proficiency, a new character is added to the pool.

You should send at a speed that is comfortable while still retaining cadence. For sending fast code, an iambic paddle is helpful.

You can choose to see the code you are tapping out or the characters you have learned. You may also toggle the sound of the characters ON/OFF.

Additionally, you may replace the straight key image with the International Morse code chart.

You may use a real straight key with this app by connecting to your Android device via an easily modified USB mouse.

https://www.KG9E.net/USBMouse.pdf
(DIY instructional pdf file)

Alternatively, you may use a 3rd-party device such as My-Key-Mouse USB.

https://www.KG9E.net/MyKeyMouseUSB.htm
(webpage redirect)

Within the app, several elements respond to certain gestures:

1) Tap the large Character button just below top center to show or hide the presented character. Tap and hold to bring up Stats showing your Hits, Misses, and Correct percent.

2) Tap and hold any character keypad button and that character will be played in Morse code at 20 WPM without registering a hit or a miss.

3) While learning Prosigns or Abbreviations, tap on the definition text to show/hide the meaning of the CW prosign or abbreviation.

4) Tap and hold the Repeat/Resume button in the lower left to adjust keypad font size. Each keypad is individually adjusted. All font sizes may also be changed via your device's Display settings.

5) To reset your stats for a particular character set, from the Home Screen tap and hold the desired character set and you will be asked to confirm the action.

Lastly, if you have questions, suggestions, concerns, complaints or otherwise, please contact [e-mail]

Ratings and reviews

This is an extremely good app for learning to hear & identify Morse code letters & numbers. My kids like it too. It is very convenient to be able to just pull out my phone and practice for 5 minutes. For the RX training part, I give it 5 stars. For the TX part though, I give it 3 stars because there is a noticeable delay between when I press the screen and hear the tone. Like a "speech jammer", the delay messes up my timing and makes me turn O into K or H into 5. My 8-year-old thinks he cannot key C because it comes out as B or Y. (He actually can key C, but just not in this app.) Maybe I'll try to attach a straight key and see if that removes the delay. Ending on a positive note, there are no ads! I recommend this app and might try the 30 WPM version later.

This app is fantastic. Well thought out and intuitive to use. I learned code at 5wpm back in the 70s and litteraly memorized each letter and practiced on a table or an oscillator. Until I passed the novice. Over the years I increased speed until I could copy 18wpm but could never break that barrier. Using this app I now see why and will be a solid 20wpm copy very soon just a little more practice and looking forward to 30wpm app too. 73s K7OI Tucson Az.

Very good approach to learning morse code. UI needs redoing to work with all common screen sizes. Effectiveness goes down as the set of chaaracters you have learned gets larger. Needs to present letters thar you have missed more often then ones you know.

What's new

TargetSDK=34, per Google requirements.