C. W. Proficiency Software

Joseph A. LaFauci -- KA9OPL


	The KA9OPL C.W. program is very easy to use and 
provides an enjoyable means of building your Morse code 
skills.  The software works on any IBM-compatible system, 
running DOS or Windows 95/98.  A unique feature of this 
program is that it uses a Sound Blaster (or compatible) 
sound card to generate Morse code.  


INSTALLATION

	The software is distributed in a ZIP file named 
KA9OPLCW.ZIP and contains three files:
*     CW.EXE -- the executable module.
* README.TXT -- this documentation in text format.
* README.DOC -- this documentation in MS/WORD format.
Unzip the files into a directory of your choice.  The 
program module contains everything which is needed for 
running the software.  If you wish, you may place the 
CW.EXE file in a directory which is included in your PATH 
statement so that the system will find it when you type 
its name.  


RUNNING THE PROGRAM

	To start the program, type: CW.EXE and press the 
ENTER key.  If the program is not in a directory where it 
can be found by a PATH statement, you must include the 
path when you type the program name.  
	When the program starts, it will display a screen 
which displays the program title, author and copyright 
information.  As indicated at the bottom of the screen, 
you must press a key to proceed to the main menu.  
	The main menu provides access to all of the program 
options.  Each option is selected by pressing one of the 
function keys, F1 through F10.  The functions are 
described below.
	F1: Setting code speed.  Press F1 to change the code 
speed.  When the program starts, the speed is initially 
set to ten words per minute (approximately).  When you 
press F1, the screen clears and you are asked to enter the 
code speed.  Type a numeric value (words per minute) and 
press the ENTER key.  The program will respond by setting 
the code speed, and sending the new speed back to you in 
Morse code.  You will then be returned to the main menu.  
You may change the speed as often as you wish.  When the 
program is ended and re-started, the code speed reverts to 
ten words per minute.
	F2: Setting the tone.  When the program begins, the 
Morse code is generated using a frequency of 440 Hertz.  
To change this, press F2.  The current frequency will 
sound for a short duration.  To change frequency, use the 
arrow keys.  The LEFT and RIGHT arrows will lower and 
raise the pitch, respectively, by small increments.  The 
UP and DOWN arrow keys will lower and raise the pitch in 
octaves, respectively.  After you have set the tone to a 
frequency which is pleasant to you, press the ENTER key to 
set the tone.  The tone remains set until you change it, 
or until you exit the program.  When you re-start the 
program, the tone reverts to its initial setting.
	F3: Random code.  Press F3 to hear random Morse code.  
The program asks you to enter the number of minutes you 
would like to hear.  Type a numeric value and then press 
the ENTER key.  The program will then prompt you to press 
a key to begin.  Once you press a key, you will hear 
random C.W. at the tone and speed currently set.  Upon 
completion of the requested time, the program returns you 
to the main menu.
	F4: QSO practice.  This function is one of the really 
fun and useful features of the software.  It uses a set of 
variable information to prepare and send part of a ham 
contact, (QSO), so that you can prepare yourself for the 
code test.  Press F4 to start the QSO session.  The 
program displays information instructing you to prepare to 
copy the QSO, and press a key to begin.  When you press a 
key, the program starts by sending two groups of three 
V's.  Then, after a short pause, it sends the short QSO.  
After the code is finished, you are prompted to press a 
key so that you can see the text.  You can use this 
display to check your accuracy in copying the QSO.  When 
you have finished checking the text, press a key to return 
to the menu.
	F5: Learning Morse code.  This is a function which 
allows you to press keys on the keyboard and hear the 
Morse code representation.  The screen displays a chart 
showing the complete Morse code.  If you have a printer, 
you may print the chart and use it as a handy study aid 
when you are away from your computer.  To print, press 
CTRL+P.  While viewing the chart, press a key to hear the 
code for the character.  After the code is generated, you 
may press another key to hear its code.  To exit the 
function, press the ESCAPE key.
	F6: Code from a file.  Press F6 if you would like to 
have a text file read to you in Morse code.  When you 
press F6, you will be asked to enter the name of the file 
you want to have read.  Type the name and press the ENTER 
key.  The program will immediately begin sending the file 
to you in Morse code.  If you wish to interrupt the 
process, press the ESCAPE key and the program will return 
you to the main menu.  The program should be able to read 
any size file.
	F10: Exit.  Press F10 to exit the program.  The 
program displays its "good-bye" message, and sends 73 in 
C.W.  


COMMENTS

	The program is easy to operate and fun to use.  It 
generates its code through the FM chip in the sound card.  
The use of the sound card enables the code to be played at 
almost any speed and at any pitch.  The FM produces 
slightly lower volume than other methods of sound 
production, so you will probably have to turn the speakers 
up a little--but turn them back down when you're finished.










COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

	This software and documentation is (C)1988-2000 by 
Custom Computer Services.  It is being distributed as 
freeware.  You may use and distribute it freely, as long 
as you distribute it with its proper documentation 
including copyright notices.  You may not sell or alter 
this package in any way, without the expressed consent of 
Custom Computer Services.


CONTACT INFORMATION

	If you have any comments, suggestions or questions 
please E-Mail me at: KA9OPL@ARRL.NET.  Also visit our 
website at: http://members.iquest.net/~joeleah
I hope you enjoy this software, and I hope it helps you 
become proficient at C.W.  


