As a reminder, the inexpensive ESP32 (see Photo 2) is an impressive chip with two cores, a 32-bit architecture, a CPU frequency of 160 MHz, 512 KB RAM, and 16 MB Flash memory. Is a great platform to learn ESP32 programming - With over 4,000 lines of thoroughly documented source code and a plethora of features, the Morserino-32 makes for an excellent platform to learn ESP32 programming. I think the kit is reasonably priced and hassle free, but you’re free to download the software and to follow the schematic to create a trainer with your own parts. If you know your way around the Arduino IDE (integrated development environment) - probably the easiest to use and most popular IDE for microcontrollers - then you can program the Morserino-32. Is open source - The source code, schematic, bill of materials, and related documentation are freely available for non-commercial use through GitHub ( ). An hour should be more than enough time for you to solder about a dozen components on the printed circuit board (PCB). The acrylic enclosure is attractive and functional, and the ergonomics are good. The only exception is a 600 mAh 3.7V lithium polymer (LiPo) battery with Molex connector ($9 for two, Amazon) if you don’t have access to a USB port. There’s no shopping around for components from various vendors. Is a kit - I love kits, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Unfortunately, this mode doesn’t (yet) support a straight key. To me, the Echo mode is worth the full cost of the kit. In Echo mode, it sends you a few Morse characters and - using the built-in paddle or your own external paddle - your task is to exactly duplicate the characters. That is, it’s a great trainer for both sending and receiving Morse code. Is tactile interactive - Unlike other hardware trainers in this price class, the Morserino-32 is tactile interactive. So, what’s so special about this kit? Well, the Morserino-32: The focus of this review is the Morserino-32: a feature-packed microcontroller-based send and receive trainer, available from Willi Kraml OE1WKL for $99, including shipping from Austria. The MFJ-418 is an excellent trainer, but, like the other trainers, there’s no provision for teaching you how to send Morse code. After an hour or two, however, these limited inexpensive boards end up in my desk drawer. I own several of the inexpensive Chinese manufactured kits, and they’re fine for limited practice of random letter groups and call signs. There’s also no shortage of microcontroller-based trainers, starting at about $15 for poorly documented kits on eBay, to the excellent $95 MFJ-418 Pocket Tutor. These programs support the modern use of words and phrases transmitted at 20 or more words/minute, with adjustable space between letters and words. My go-to for iOS devices is Morse-it, which sells for about $5 by the time you purchase the key add-ons. My favorite browser-based program is or Learn Morse Code (CW) Online. Today, there are dozens of freely accessible websites and free or inexpensive apps for Android and iOS tablets and phones that provide sophisticated and efficient Morse code training. Fortunately, times have changed, and Morse code teaching techniques and the associated technologies have matured. I memorized that LP, focusing on individual letters at five words/minute.Īs a result, it took me years to learn to copy entire words and phrases in my head at up to 35 words/minute. I still remember the RadioShack Morse code course on 33LP that followed an antiquated approach to teaching, starting with “dit,” “dit dit,” “dit dit dit,” “dit dit dit dit,” “dit dit dit dit dit” (e, i, s, h, 5), and so on. Let’s face it, any grade school student with a cell phone can talk and text with anyone else on the planet with a similarly equipped smartphone.Ĭompared with simply speaking or even typing with both thumbs, learning Morse code can be a difficult time-consuming endeavor. I could review the technical superiority of Morse code (practiced as CW, or continuous wave) over other modes of communications, but the bottom line for me is that communicating with dits and dahs in a jumble of noise and other communications signals is just plain fun. Proficiency in sending and receiving Morse code - while no longer required for licensure - is the best way to experience traditional ham radio.
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