[CW] Help wanted === Review CW product

[K0HB]

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I have recently completed a low cost, portable, battery operated, PIC
(18F2620) powered Morse code practice QSO generator project called
"WalkMorse". The code in it is about 5000 lines of "C", which compiles to
almost a full 64K bytes.

I plan to publish an article and open source the code, however I am looking
for some people interested in reading my draft article and building a
prototype (with as little as 1 external component needed). If you are
interested, read on.

The goal of WalkMorse is to generate unique random QSOs that never repeat,
allowing you to listen for practice to improve your copy. It is NOT really
meant to be used to learn code, so does not have a lot of different setups
to generate different lessons, etc. like the MFJ units.

I traded off that flexibility to allow it to generate an almost infinite
supply of long QSOs that never repeat, and have a lot of variety, optimized
for copy practice when you already know the code. Speed goes from 12 to 40
wpm (fixed or variable by QSO) and tone 700-800 Hz (fixed or variable by
QSO).

Pictures, some sample QSOs and schematic are at:

  http://www.thecountygeek.com/walkmorse.htm

I am using it to listen to Morse Code every day in my vehicle during my
commute, and find it is helping my copy. I am interested in submitting an
article to QST (or another publication) but would like to get some help
with the following from some fellow CW fans:

1) Read my article and give me feedback. What needs to be added or taken
away?

2) Build a prototype and give me feedback on both the construction and the
operation. Is it easy to duplicate? Are the random QSOs good practice What
needs to be added or taken away?

I have had a couple of fellows build one and they work OK, the problem is
that they are not really CW folks and can't give me a lot of feedback on
the QSOs generated.

If you are interested in building one and using it, you can do one of the
following:

1) Email me and I will email you the documentation, schematics, pictures,
and HEX file (the PIC is an 18F2620).

2) If you do not have the ability to program an 18F2620, I will send you a
pre-programmed PIC for $15 US (basically my cost). I have 10 pre-
programmed chips available, and as an added incentive I will refund the
full amount to the first 2 people to complete one and send me pictures and
a review

Anyone that builds one and provides me feedback (and photos if possible)
will get credit if my article is published.

NOTE: I am in the process of moving this summer, so sometimes my mail
response may be a bit slow. I did, however want to see if I could get some
feedback on this so I can submit the article in the fall.


Thanks a lot


Eric Pierce
va3ep at rac.ca OR va3ep at arrl.net
www.va3ep.ne