generating morse code
Does anyone here done something like sending ASCII to a microcontroller
which then emits morse code? I'm tinkering around with old telegraph sounders. -- David Griffith --- Put my last name where it belongs |
generating morse code
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generating morse code
"David Griffith" wrote in message
... Does anyone here done something like sending ASCII to a microcontroller which then emits morse code? I'm tinkering around with old telegraph sounders. Yes. I re-wrote the firmware in my Icom repeater, which included the ID section too. |
generating morse code
On Apr 14, 2:46 am, "D. Stussy"
wrote: "David Griffith" wrote in message ... Does anyone here done something like sending ASCII to a microcontroller which then emits morse code? I'm tinkering around with old telegraph sounders. Yes. I re-wrote the firmware in my Icom repeater, which included the I D section too. Here's a webpage where a fellow has done something similar: http://www.steampunkworkshop.com/ It's on the right hand side of the page, a link called "telegraph sounder" http://www.steampunkworkshop.com/telegraph.shtml I'd note he should have used more and finer wire on his home made sounder electromagnet. But technical issues aside, it's some gorgeous handwork. Also he has a bit of software to convert a RSS feed to the sounder, which is what you might be interested in. I just think it's really cool to have a mix of 1840's technology plugged into a computer. - 73 de Mike N3LI - |
generating morse code
David Griffith wrote:
Does anyone here done something like sending ASCII to a microcontroller which then emits morse code? I'm tinkering around with old telegraph sounders. Well that is basically how any CW radio software works David, Most digital programs (used for PSK, Olivia, RTTY and such now days) such as Digipan, Hamscope, DM-780 (Part of the Ham Radio Delux package) all these do CW.. Now with these programs you are sending from the keyboard so you are sending "Key-Code" not ASCII to the CPU. but if you re-direct the input to an RS-232 port using the DOS MODE command,,,, you can then send ASCII to the com-port selected for this job and the computer will send .- ... -.-. .. .. |
generating morse code
David Griffith wrote:
Does anyone here done something like sending ASCII to a microcontroller which then emits morse code? I'm tinkering around with old telegraph sounders. I think I blew one characer (I typed it right but then screwed it up) ..- ... -.-. -- -- Is what I meant tho type |
generating morse code
Michael J. Coslo wrote:
On Apr 14, 2:46 am, "D. Stussy" wrote: "David Griffith" wrote in message ... Does anyone here done something like sending ASCII to a microcontroller which then emits morse code? I'm tinkering around with old telegraph sounders. Yes. I re-wrote the firmware in my Icom repeater, which included the I D section too. Here's a webpage where a fellow has done something similar: http://www.steampunkworkshop.com/ It's on the right hand side of the page, a link called "telegraph sounder" http://www.steampunkworkshop.com/telegraph.shtml That's one of the first places I looked and where I got the idea. However, what he did was have a circuit watch the keyboard LEDs. What I'm trying to do is make something that attaches to an RS232 port. That way, I can run a three or four wire cable from a server in a back room to wherever I decide to put my sounder. There are two ways I could do this. The first is cheap and dirty. It works by energizing the sounder coils whenever RTS is asserted. That would require special program -- not too tough, but won't be as flexible as in the second approach. The other is to buffer RS232 in a microcontroller, convert to morse code, then tap out the message. In effect, this creates a one-way serial-to-telegraph modem. That second approach is what has me most interested. Suppose you have a server writing logs to a serial port... See the sort of bizzare fun that can be had? -- David Griffith --- Put my last name where it belongs |
generating morse code
Fred McKenzie wrote:
In article , (David Griffith) wrote: Does anyone here done something like sending ASCII to a microcontroller which then emits morse code? I'm tinkering around with old telegraph sounders. David- I understand the old telegraph sounders made a clack-clack sound rather than a beep. They also used an earlier version of code than international Morse, where some characters had mini-spaces in addition to dots and dashes. Either way, the solution may be similar. Use the ASCII code as an address for locating the timing required for each character, stored in a look-up table. Use a basic timing subroutine. Call it once for a dot or a space. Call it three times for a dash. Before calling it, turn on the output keyer for Mark and off for Space. If you didn't have an existing sounder, you could generate another timing interval that would repeat at an audio rate for the amount of time the Mark signal would be on. I have a couple vintage sounders. Hook a batter and key in serial with a sounder. When the key is down, the sounder clicks down. Let go and it clacks up. So, a dot is "click-clack" and a dash is "click-wait-clack". I think the Mark and Space stuff has to do with the fact that the line was always kept energized, thus, an idle line would hold the sounder arm down. That way you'd know immediately if there was a line fault. That would be a bit wasteful now, so I suppose I should preceed each message with a very long dash to at least try to fake that part. -- David Griffith --- Put my last name where it belongs |
generating morse code
David Griffith wrote:
\ I have a couple vintage sounders. Hook a batter and key in serial with a sounder. When the key is down, the sounder clicks down. Let go and it clacks up. So, a dot is "click-clack" and a dash is "click-wait-clack". I think the Mark and Space stuff has to do with the fact that the line was always kept energized, thus, an idle line would hold the sounder arm down. That way you'd know immediately if there was a line fault. That would be a bit wasteful now, so I suppose I should preceed each message with a very long dash to at least try to fake that part. As I recall there is international Morse Code and American Morese code.. Two different codes, and one (American I think) is better suited to the click/clackers and guess what.. That font of much knowledge http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Morse_code Has an article on it at the above link INCLUDING the code itself!!!! Also called the Railroad code.. IT is not as suited to radio as International Morse code is. As to the line running energized.. There are several reasons for this, Many countries the phone system keeps current flowing in the wires all the time, this is called "Sealing Current" and if you have the manual for an old 300 or 1200 baud modem lying about you can read all about it. The reason for this is to PREVENT line faults, believe it or not. As well as instant detection of line faults. Modern teletype (BAUDOT and later ASCII teletype machines) like the Type 15, 28 and 33 all used idle on MARK One of the more interesting lengths of paper tape I used to have was punched by one of the national news wires one November back in what, 1963 (The 23th as I recall) You play the tape and it starts typing out routine items (I recall a farm report or some such but it's been many years since I played the tape) then suddenly the machine runs "OPEN" (Space) for a period and then the news flash.. Then it goes back to routine and again it runs open.. the operator intruppted sends "Go Ahead Dallas" and we read "The president is dead" That's some tape. |
generating morse code
John from Detroit wrote:
David Griffith wrote: Does anyone here done something like sending ASCII to a microcontroller which then emits morse code? I'm tinkering around with old telegraph sounders. I think I blew one characer (I typed it right but then screwed it up) .- ... -.-. -- -- Is what I meant tho type I still blew it the last two (M) should be .. (I) I'm glad I can send it better than I can type it! |
generating morse code
On 4/15/2010 6:11 AM, David Griffith wrote:
I think the Mark and Space stuff has to do with the fact that the line was always kept energized, thus, an idle line would hold the sounder arm down. That way you'd know immediately if there was a line fault. That would be a bit wasteful now, so I suppose I should preceed each message with a very long dash to at least try to fake that part. The original Morse instrument was a device which used a scribe to imprint a line on a paper tape which was moving past the scribe arm under tension from a clockwork mechanism. When the electromagnets were energized, the scribe would make a mark on the tape. When they weren't, the tape would "space" past the scribe point without being marked. Ergo, "Mark" means current in the loop, "Space" means no current. The early telegraphs were powered by batteries. There is software available to do what you want to do: visit the Morse Telegraph Club, http://www.mtc.org/ , for more information. HTH. 73, Bill W1AC |
generating morse code
On Apr 15, 6:11 am, (David Griffith) wrote:
When the key is down, the sounder clicks down. Let go and it clacks up. So, a dot is "click-clack" and a dash is "click-wait-clack". With most sounders, the sound of the armature going down is different from the sound going up, as you describe, so it's more than the time spacing. I think the Mark and Space stuff has to do with the fact that the line was always kept energized, thus, an idle line would hold the sounder arm down. That way you'd know immediately if there wa s a line fault. Yes, but there were several reasons for the normally-energized series line systems. 1) The first systems were powered by wet primary batteries called "gravity" cells. (You can still make your own - all you need is copper, zinc, copper sulphate, water and a jar). Unlike most other kinds of cells, the gravity cells need a load for best results. 2) The primary cells required a lot of maintenance and care. With a normally-energized system, line batteries were needed only at the ends of a line; the telegraph offices in between would not need them (except a cell or two for local loops). A typical line battery would consist of 100 to 200 gravity cells (often half the cells would be at each end) and permit operation over lines of 100 to 400 miles, depending on the wire size and number of intermediate stations. (#9 or #6 iron wire was commonly used for telegraph lines). So you can see the advantage of not needing line batteries everywhere! 3) Besides making a line break obvious, operation up to a break could be had by grounding the line at the last convenient point before the break. 4) Normally energized circuits made duplexing, multiplexing and other systems easier to implement. The wire telegraph was more sophisticated than some folks give it credit for being. ---- A telegraph story: There was a railroad which had an important position open at the division office. Applicants were told to show up on a certain day in the outer waiting room, and wait to be called into the Superintendent's private office for an interview. The outer waiting room was a busy place, with a telegraph sounder going continuously, various employees doing all sorts of tasks, and the Superintendent inside his private office with the door shut. A number of applicants showed up, most with years of experience. Each handed their papers to the clerk, took a seat, and waited. After all the chairs were occupied, a young man arrived - obviously not nearly so experienced as the others. He paused for a moment, papers in hand. Then he walked straight to the door of the Superintendent's private office, opened it, and walked right in, closing the door behind him! The other applicants looked at each other in surprise and some amusement. Barging in on the Division Superintendent was the best guarantee of never getting any job! One waiting applicant said the word "greenhorn" and the others all nodded. But a few moments later, the door of the Superintendent's office opened, and the Superintendent came out, followed by the young man. The Superintendent said: "Thank you all for coming, but the position has been filled." It was obvious that the young man had gotten the job they all wanted. Some of the applicants started to protest, but the Superintendent just pointed to the telegraph sounder. It wasn't on an outside line. It was playing the same message over and over: "If you can read this, come into my office" 73 de Jim, N2EY The |
generating morse code
David Griffith wrote:
Michael J. Coslo wrote: On Apr 14, 2:46 am, "D. Stussy" wrote: "David Griffith" wrote in message ... Does anyone here done something like sending ASCII to a microcontroller which then emits morse code? I'm tinkering around with old telegraph sounders. Yes. I re-wrote the firmware in my Icom repeater, which included the I D section too. Here's a webpage where a fellow has done something similar: http://www.steampunkworkshop.com/ It's on the right hand side of the page, a link called "telegraph sounder" http://www.steampunkworkshop.com/telegraph.shtml That's one of the first places I looked and where I got the idea. However, what he did was have a circuit watch the keyboard LEDs. What I'm trying to do is make something that attaches to an RS232 port. That way, I can run a three or four wire cable from a server in a back room to wherever I decide to put my sounder. There are two ways I could do this. The first is cheap and dirty. It works by energizing the sounder coils whenever RTS is asserted. That would require special program -- not too tough, but won't be as flexible as in the second approach. The other is to buffer RS232 in a microcontroller, convert to morse code, then tap out the message. In effect, this creates a one-way serial-to-telegraph modem. That second approach is what has me most interested. Suppose you have a server writing logs to a serial port... See the sort of bizzare fun that can be had? Absolutely! I would think something like this would be fairly easily done in an Arduino or basicStamp. The hardware would be near trivial -- get the thing some power, provide a RS-232 driver, and a open-collector transistor to drive the sounder. (what kind of voltage/current does a sounder want?) You'd have plenty of spare output lines (since you only need one to drive the sounder!) so you could generate a keyed tone on another output for driving a speaker, useful once you find out why they dropped sounders like a hot rock once someone invented the BFO(grin)! -- Doug Smith W9WI Pleasant View, TN EM66 |
generating morse code
N2EY wrote:
Yes, but there were several reasons for the normally-energized series line systems. Another thing is that telegraph "lines" might indeed be a single wire.. Using the Ground as the "Return" for the loop This was often done both for telegraph and for mains electrical at one time due to a shortage of metal for the wires... This is very likely why house systems have a ground bonded to the neutral at the service entrance AND AT THE POLE.. At one time they simply forgot to use a neutral. Plus I"ve seen several "Loop" systems today where a single wire is looped from the "Central office" out to each "node" or station and all the way back.. One such was made by Phillips back in 1980.. I used to be one of the operators (This was a telephone system) the finished product, I used to joke, had one part that NEVER FAILED... That was a reset button... The original failed and the replacement came from Radio Shack. |
generating morse code
On Apr 16, 10:20 am, John from Detroit wrote:
N2EY wrote: Yes, but there were several reasons for the normally-energized series line systems. Another thing is that telegraph "lines" might indeed be a single wire.. Using the Ground as the "Return" for the loop It is my understanding that many of them were. Besides the savings in wire and insulators, a ground-return system could actually be lower resistance than a double-wire system if the "made grounds" at the ends of the lines were very good. Of course such a line is more vulnerable to noise, but since the wire telegraph was a digital system the nouse would have to be considerable to have any effect. 73 de Jim, N2EY |
generating morse code
N2EY wrote:
On Apr 16, 10:20 am, John from Detroit wrote: N2EY wrote: Yes, but there were several reasons for the normally-energized series line systems. Another thing is that telegraph "lines" might indeed be a single wire.. Using the Ground as the "Return" for the loop It is my understanding that many of them were. Besides the savings in wire and insulators, a ground-return system could actually be lower resistance than a double-wire system if the "made grounds" at the ends of the lines were very good. Of course such a line is more vulnerable to noise, but since the wire telegraph was a digital system the nouse would have to be considerable to have any effect. That thing about noise reminded me of a story about a severe magnetic storm that happened in the 1880s or thereabouts. Currents induced into telegraph lines were so strong that things caught fire in telegraph offices as well as simply knocking them offline. -- David Griffith --- Put my last name where it belongs |
generating morse code
David Griffith wrote:
N2EY wrote: On Apr 16, 10:20 am, John from Detroit wrote: N2EY wrote: Yes, but there were several reasons for the normally-energized series line systems. Another thing is that telegraph "lines" might indeed be a single wire.. Using the Ground as the "Return" for the loop It is my understanding that many of them were. Besides the savings in wire and insulators, a ground-return system could actually be lower resistance than a double-wire system if the "made grounds" at the ends of the lines were very good. Of course such a line is more vulnerable to noise, but since the wire telegraph was a digital system the nouse would have to be considerable to have any effect. That thing about noise reminded me of a story about a severe magnetic storm that happened in the 1880s or thereabouts. Currents induced into telegraph lines were so strong that things caught fire in telegraph offices as well as simply knocking them offline. Friend of mine hooked a very high impedance volt meter to his long wire antenna one storm and got some very interesting voltmeter readings Several volts (As in 3 digits) as I recall.. Of course it did not take much current to ground it out but it was amazing the amount of voltage on that wire. My Long wire is DC-Grounded so I don't see that. |
generating morse code
David Griffith wrote:
I suppose the next thing to do is look for a good simulator that runs on Linux. The Arduino development environment is, if I recall properly, written in Java & should run on Linux. Don't know about a simulator. The power requirements of sounders depend on the ohm ratings of the coils, which is usually stamped somewhere on the sounder. The lower the ohms, the lower the voltage requirements. Some modern things need to be done like adding more resistance so it won't be too sluggish. Also a pair of zeners back-to-back is recommended to prevent something (I forget what). Voltage spikes, which could kill the driver. I don't really have a handle on the magnitude of the current involved in running a sounder, but I think you'd almost certainly want some kind of driver stage (a transistor or two, depending on the current requirements) between the microcontroller and the sounder. Spike protection would be part of that circuit. Another thing I'll need to use a few lines for would be some means of varying the output speed. Yes, an alternate output could ride along for free. Perhaps also a relay to go to the key input of a radio. Arduino has analog inputs which could be connected to a potentiometer for varying the Morse speed. -- Doug Smith W9WI Pleasant View, TN EM66 |
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