Arduino Iambic Keyer - AA5OY

At the time I took my Ham license tests I was required to pass the Morse code portion. Once licensed  I used CW to make a number contacts on the air. However at that time I was also busy with work and family and my Ham radio, along with my interest in CW, took a back seat to my other duties. Now that I’m retired I have renewed my interest Ham Radio and rebuilt my station. I’ve decided to learn about the new digital modes to revisit my CW interest. In Sept/Oct 2009 QEX magazine Richard Chapman KC4IFB published an article describing the construction of an Iambic Keyer using an Arduino. I downloaded the his sketch from arrl.org. I found his sketch easy to understand  and a great place to start an Iambic Keyer project. I have added a memory Keyer to the KC4IFB sketch and implemented his speed potentiometer. I used the pot to set the speed for both the Iambic and the memory Keyer. I felt it was a better to match both speeds when calling CQ.

Download sketch: Iambic Keyer

If you wish to add additional messages, simply add a button along with the associated message. IE Button 1 to call Message 1, Button 2 to call Message 2 etc.

I found an enclosure on Thingiverse’s website. The enclosure is made for an Arduino UNO board and adds a nice finish to the project. The 3D printing file for the enclosure is available on Thingiverse :

Uno Case at thingiverse.com

A different configuration using an Arduino NANO and two switches. The two touch switches pictured below form an Iambic key. An Iambic Keyer with key for less then $5.00.

Here another tiny simple beginning Sketch for Iambic CW practice. This sketch harkens back to the first Iambic keyers. It reads  Dits and Dahs  from the Iambic key and leaves the control to the operator. The sketch has a 2 paddle input and  outputs for  tone and a straight key output:  Tiny Iambic Morse Code OSC & Keyer

Inexpensive Magnetic 3D paddles

Share this:

• X
• Facebook

Like Loading...