USA Bestseller/USA BESTSELLER Vol 1-95 (Hepp-Computer)(1995).iso/e154/mm.doc

Text File | 1994-10-04 | 20KB | 383 lines

MM.DOC

This is the documentation file for MM.EXE, the Morse Master Morse Code
practice program.

FAST START

Start the program by typing MM at the DOS command prompt.  The screen will
have a menu, and F1 will give you help.

LEGALITIES

MM.EXE and this documentation file are Copyright (C) 1989 Michael Paul
Johnson.  If you want to sell it for a profit, you must first get my
permission.  However, you have my permission to make as many copies as you
want for your own personal use, to distribute it for free, post it on bulletin
boards, or distribute it for a fee that covers only postage, handling, and
media.  If you have any questions or comments on this software, please write
to me at:

            Mike Johnson, NO0H
            P. O. Box 1151
            Longmont, CO 80502-1151

This program is provided as is, with no warranty or liability by the author.
I say this not because I know of anything wrong with the program, but because
I don't want to be sued for writing good, cheap software.  If you do find a
bug, or have a suggestion on how to improve the program, please write to me at
the above address.  When distributing this program, please distribute
unmodified copies of the archive file MORSMSTR.ARC or MORSMSTR.ZIP that
contains both this documentation file and the program MM.EXE.

MOTIVATION

The purpose of this program is to help people learn International Morse Code.
Morse Code is still used in this computer age by amateur radio operators and
by some ships at sea, among others.  There are some good reasons to learn
Morse Code:

  1.  To get an amateur radio license and communicate with Morse Code.
  2.  To get an amateur radio license and communicate with ANYTHING BUT Morse
Code (i. e. voice, RTTY, packet radio, TV, facsimile, AMTOR, etc.).
  3.  To be able to get a job as a radio operator on a ship.
  4.  To be able to communicate with simple equipment, such as a flashlight or
mirror in emergency situations.
  5.  To experience the personal satisfaction of learning a skill well.

While I acknowledge all of the above as good reasons to learn Morse Code, I
know that Morse Code is also a nuisance of a barrier to many people who would
like to join the Ham Radio hobby.  It was that way for me, once.  I used a
version of this program that I wrote for my Radio Shack Model 100.  I have
translated and improved on that program for the IBM PC and compatibles for
friends and family who want to learn Morse Code so that they can get their
amateur radio licenses.  This is the resulting program.

Actually, there is only one way to learn Morse Code that works, that I know
of.  That is by regular practice.  It is not as important that you practice a
long time at one sitting, as that you practice regularly.  I recommend at
least 15 to 20 minutes a day for at least 5 days a week.  This program helps
you to do that by providing you with exactly the type of practice you want,
when you want it.  If I can get an Amateur Extra class amateur radio license
(NO0H) this way, then almost anybody can, IF THEY PRACTICE REGULARLY.


HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

Some kind of PC Compatible with a clock speed between 4.77 and 50 MHz, a
working beeper speaker, a monitor (monochrome, CGA, EGA, or VGA), and a disk
drive (hard disks are nice, but a floppy will do).  You should have at least
128 Kbytes of RAM free after loading DOS and any RAM resident stuff.  I have
tested this program on a variety of computers, and haven't found one that
didn't work.  If you have multiple clock speeds available, best performance
will result if you use the highest speed.  Don't change clock speeds in the
middle of the program.  (Changing clock speeds while the program is running
confuses the timing routines and changes the speed of the Morse Code).  This
program doesn't require a math coprocessor, but if you have one, it will use
it in some of its speed calculations.

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

I don't recommend running this program under Windows, Desqview, or any program
that allows you to multitask, as they are likely to mess up the timing of the
Morse Code characters.  Ram resident programs may also mess up the timing.

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

The Morse Master program can be started just by typing MM at the MS-DOS
command line prompt.  When you do this, you should see a screen with two
windows.  The top window contains some useful information on how to run the
program, the version, a time of day clock, and a place where the visual Morse
Code flasher shows up.  The lower window is where the text that you are
practicing with shows up.  The flasher has three purposes:  (1) to make this
program useful to the hearing impaired, (2) to allow you to practice
recognizing Morse code on sight, and (3) it is sometimes helpful to see and
hear the code at the same time when you are first learning.

If you want to practice visually only, selecting a frequency of 1 Hz for the
speaker effectively silences it.

When you first start the program, it is waiting for you to either change some
of the parameters in the upper window (like the code speed or the tone), or to
type characters to hear what they sound like.  Characters that you type will
first be sounded and flashed in Morse Code, then the character will be
displayed in the lower window.  You may type ahead up to 1,000 characters, but
you may not type more than 8 characters ahead during the sounding of any one
Morse Code character.

FUNCTION KEYS

F1 shows you help messages that are a summary of some of the stuff in this
documentation file.

F2 and F3 allow you to change the speed that you are practicing at.  F2 is for
character speed, and refers to the speed in words per minute that would result
if all characters were sent at this speed with normal spacing in between
characters.  F3 allows you to change the average speed at which the code is
sent by increasing the spacing in between characters as necessary to slow the
effective speed down to that value.  For example, you could practice with a 13
WPM character speed, but only a 5 WPM average code speed.  This results in
each character being faster, but with extra space in between each one.  The
reason for making these controls separate is that if you learn to recognize
the characters at higher speeds, then it is easier to increase your speed
later.  It also makes it more difficult for you to try to listen to the
individual dits and dahs that make up each character, as opposed to hearing
the rhythm of each character.  Associating the sound of each whole character
with the action of instantly writing it down makes the process easier, and a
whole lot faster.  When I hear di-di-di-dah (the opening tune to Beethoven's
Fifth Symphony), I instantly think "V" without thinking about the fact that
that letter is made up of 3 dits followed by 1 dah, much as I recognize a
tune.  That is why higher character speeds can actually be easier to learn.

The character speed should always be at least as fast as the average speed
that you are practicing at.  If you set the character speed to be slower than
the average speed, there will be no error message, but the average speed will
probably not be what you wanted and the letters will all run together.  The
program adjusts its timing to compensate for varying CPU speeds when it starts
up, by computing the number of passes in a loop that it can make in one tick
of the real time clock.  This works well unless either the clock speed is
changed by the user, or another program is running in the background that
takes a time slice just then.  For accurate timing, do not run this program
under Windows, or in OS/2 with other applications active, or with any active
ram resident programs.

Morse Master will run up to 99.9 WPM, but the character timing isn't as
accurate above 30 WPM (depending on your clock speed -- faster clock speeds
yield more accurate timing).

F4 allows you to pick a tone that may be more pleasing to you than 1 KHz.  It
is also the only way to control speaker volume (sort of) on most PCs.  1 KHz
was chosen as the default audio frequency, as this is close to what many Morse
Code tests are conducted at.

F5 allows you to select an ASCII text file as input.  The text file will be
translated into Morse Code.  You can create the file with any word processor
that is capable of creating a plain ASCII text file, such as TED (free from PC
magazine, Sprint (from Borland), or Wordstar in Nondocument mode.  When you
press F5, the cursor moves up to the upper window where you may enter the text
file name, optionally including drive and path names, as in C:\DOC\TEST1.TXT.
You may also specify a file for input on the DOS command line, as in

C>MM C:\DOC\TEST1.TXT

F6 causes the computer to generate random five character groups consisting of
the letters A-Z, the numbers 0-9, the punctuation ,.?/, and the procedural
symbols AS, AR, BT, SK, and KN.  These symbols are represented on the screen
as $, #, =, and (, respectively, so as to avoid confusion with the separate
letter pairs. Double dash is the same as BT (=). This option (random character
group generation) can also be started from the command line with the switch
/R, as in

C>MM /R

F7 causes computer generated simulated QSOs to happen.  Any resemblance to
real names and/or call signs is purely coincidental.  The computer makes up
simulated on the air contacts from a set of rather contrived templates that
are similar to what you might find on the air, filling in the blanks for call
signs, names, RST, antenna, and city at random.  Even though the format isn't
exactly the way a test might be conducted, it is close enough that if you can
copy this stuff and understand it, you can probably do so on a simulated QSO
type test.  Some of the abbreviations used are:

     ANT  =  antenna
     CUL  =  see you later
     CQ   =  I seek you -- an invitation for anyone to reply
     HR   =  hear or here
     PSE  =  please
     QRM  =  interference
     QSL  =  confirm contact (usually done with a post card)
     QSO  =  on the air contact
     RIG  =  station
     SRI  =  sorry
     U    =  you
     UR   =  your
     73   =  best regards

Also used are standard postal abbreviations for states (such as HI for Hawaii)
and callsigns.  All callsigns generated are 2 or three letter prefixes
starting with N, K, or W, then a numeral, then one, two or three letters for a
suffix.  This would be the format of a US callsign.  Callsigns may be followed
with a call area, such as /1.  No attempt was made to match call areas and
cities, so don't be surprised by their lack of consistency.  For more
information on this sort of thing, I recommend the ARRL publication "Tune in
the World with Ham Radio."

The random simulated QSO option can also be started on the on the command line
with /S.  Note that on the command line, if a /S, /R, and file name all
appear, only one of the options will be selected, since they are mutually
exclusive.

F8 causes screen display of characters sent to wait until you press F8 again.
This is the "no cheating" mode.  If you wait so long that all of the
characters sent won't fit any more, you will get the most recent.  However,
unless you are practicing at high speed for a long time, it is unlikely that
you will lose any data.  The purpose of this function is so that you can
practice receiving with the lower window frozen, then check your work when you
are done by pressing F8 again.

F9 toggles the program into and out of test mode.  To use test mode, first
select a text file for input, random character generation, or simulated QSOs.
After each character is sent, the computer will wait for you to type the
character it just sent.  If you get it right, the character will display, and
the computer will send you another character.  If you are wrong, the computer
will display a block (░) instead, and send the same character again.

F10 or Alt-X causes an exit from the program and the screen to be cleared.

Shift-F1 causes the current settings for speed, color selections, and the
modes selected (except for file input) to be saved in a binary file called
MORSMSTR.PRM.  If this file exists in the current directory (or in an append
path) when the program is started the next time, then these settings will be
used.  If the file does not exist, then the built in defaults will be used.
If you want to start up Morse Master reading a text file, put the text file
name on the command line (C:\> MM TEXT.TXT).  Command line switches override
parameters saved in MORSMSTR.PRM.

Shift-F2 toggles the program into and out of manual key mode.  In manual key
mode, you can practice sending Morse code, using one of the Shift, Alt, or
Ctrl keys as a straight key.

Shift-F3 changes the color of the foreground text in the upper window.

Shift-F4 changes the color of the background in the upper window.  Note that
the foreground and background colors must be different.

Shift-F5 changes the color of the foreground text in the lower window.  The
change will not be seen until the next character is typed in the lower window.

Shift-F6 changes the background color in the lower window.  The change will not
be seen until the next character is typed.

MORE OPTIONS FOR EGA & VGA

/V on the command line shifts the display mode into the EGA 43 line mode or
the VGA 50 line mode.  This is useful if have such a monitor and wish to be
able to display more lines of text on the screen at once.  Of course, the
characters are smaller when you do this.  /C on the command line shifts the
display mode into the monochrome or color 25 line mode.  The display mode is
shifted back to whatever it was when the program started when the program is
done.  /V and /C are mutually exclusive, but may be used in combination with
/S, /R, or a file name on the command line.

HOW TO USE THIS PROGRAM

When you are first learning, press the keys for the letters you are trying to
learn, and listen to the sounds.  Start with a small group of letters --
perhaps five at a time.  You may want to have someone else man the keyboard
and quiz you on the letters.  When you have worked your way through the whole
alphabet, the numbers, and the punctuation this way, you are ready to start
practicing for speed.  I recommend always keeping the character speed high,
like 13 WPM or above, and the average speed slow enough so that you can copy
the code.  It usually helps to try copying at a speed that is faster than you
can really do for a while, then when you slow down to the speed you are
working at it sounds slower, and you are more relaxed.  When you are more
relaxed, it is easier to concentrate on copying and you do a better job.

There are several choices for the source of the material you practice with.
You may have a favorite, or you may switch back and forth.  Here are the pros
and cons of each:

(1)  Random five character groups are the hardest to copy accurately, but if
you can copy this stuff right, you can copy anything.  It is not as satisfying
as copying something that makes sense, but it is good practice in that it
teaches you not to anticipate too much.

(2)  Simulated QSOs are not as hard as the random five letter groups, but they
are most like the actual amateur radio code tests.  They are, however, more
difficult than plain English text.  DO NOT USE THIS MODE FOR ON-THE-AIR
PRACTICE, as the randomly generated callsigns would constitute illegal false
identification of the transmission.

(3)  Plain text from a text file.  This is good if you have a good collection
of text files to practice from.  If you use the same one all of the time,
there is a danger that you will probably memorize it, and copy what you know
is there as opposed to really copying the code.  This is the best mode to use
for on-the-air practice, as club bulletins and other material of interest to
all amateurs could be used as a source of material, making such transmissions
doubly useful.  It is also usually obvious when the copied material makes
sense, and when errors were made.

(4)  Typing at the keyboard.  This is most useful when you are first learning
the code.

PRACTICE SENDING

Most of this document is dedicated to practicing receiving the Morse Code, and
only this little bit is devoted to sending.  That is because receiving is the
hard part.  Nevertheless, sending is important, too.  You can use the manual
key mode to do this.  A little bit of practice here goes a long way towards
building the skill that you need to be understandable on the air.  If you
practice receiving 95% of your practice time and sending 5% of your practice
time, that is probably enough.  I never met someone who could receive well who
couldn't send faster than they could receive.

INTERNATIONAL CHARACTERS

The following characters may be embedded in a text file by holding down the
Alt key, pressing the three digits following the character ON THE NUMERIC
KEYPAD, then letting up on the Alt key.  When typing in Morse Master, the
indicated keys may be used as a short cut.

Ä 142 Alt-A
á 160 Ctrl-A
É 144 Alt-E
Ö 153 Alt-O
Ü 154 Alt-U


TRIVIA

Morse Master was written in Borland's Turbo Pascal 5.0.  This documentation
was written as a plain ASCII text file using Borland's Sprint.

UPGRADE RECORD

1.00  Initial public release as MORSE.ARC (shareware version).
2.00  Changed from shareware to FREE, changed name to Morse Master, added
      international character support, added test mode, added manual key mode,
      added color control, and added configuration saving feature. 4/17/89
2.01  Fixed a bug in the display of simulated QSO on/off status.  4/23/89


THAT'S ALL, FOLKS

May God bless your practice with success!











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