I’m still producing CWMouse Iambic Keys based on mouse micro-switches and pivots supported by four ball bearing for exceptional precision and smoothness.

The process of on-boarding Amazon took much more time and patience than anticipated, and almost two months!!

Since I had to send out a large batch to get started, all my stock at this time is on Amazon. Until it mostly sells, I’m not motivated to make more, hence eBay may be out of stock for a while.

Do note that Amazon price is very competitive, as Prime members get free shipping!

I hope you try it and share a review with #cwmouse tag :) 73!

#cwmouse #hamradio #3dprinting

Amateur Radio’s Field Day ¹ is the last weekend of June. And this year it was my deadline to build and get my HF QRP station on the air. I’ve been working towards this goal on and off, slowly but surely for over two years. While SSB and digital modes are interesting, I found the basic low power CW and minimal equipment to be fascinating.

#hamradio #diy

CWMouse is a precise, lightweight, micro-switch based and affordable Iambic CW Paddle.

In previous posts Refining CWMouse and Coverage and E-Commerce Changes, I explored design changes to ease assembly, keeping costs down and noted efforts to diversity Sales.

Below I share what worked, what didn’t and provide project updates.

#cwmouse #hamradio #3dprinting

The online store where I sold the CWMouse Iambic Paddle blocked my listing this Sunday morning. They didn’t like that I was answering questions from a potential buyer and interpreted our conversation using their own messaging system as me funnelling people to a competing online store.

#cwmouse #hamradio #web

Since Jan 2025 when I started CWMouse, I sold enough units to print and manufacture a number of batches. The reviews are good and folks are starting to post YouTube videos mentioning it! 😁

Now I’m exploring how to reduce my time needed to assemble CWMice and making them even more price competitive.

#hamradio #cwmouse #3dprinting

I’m making available my CWmouse iambic paddle for purchase.

I designed it for my own use as a lightweight, hand-held, portable paddle based on micro-switches. Use of these switches gives it a crisp action not unlike that of a mouse button or a mechanical keyboard.

I’m so happy with the final result, that I decided sell them.

For more information, high resolution pictures and to order one, visit cwmouse.com.

#hamradio #3dprinting #diy #cwmouse

Last day of 2024, 22:46 and I just launched #cwmouse This is my high precision 3d printed #iambic #paddle . It is based on mouse micro-switches, magnets, quad ball bearings and 3d printed case along with integrated 3ft cable. All comfortably fitting in a palm of your hand and weighting only 2.1oz (60g). If interested, drop by my web page and order one! #amateurradio #cw #cwkey #ham #hamradio https://cwmouse.com/ cwmouse.com/

#cwmouse #hamradio #cw #masto2hugo

With Meshtastic radios emitting at most 100mW, line-of-sight frequency and the protocol being robust ONLY when mesh density and node reachability is at an IDEAL sweet spot - it wasn’t very usable beyond experimentation. In my area I couldn’t reliably exchange messages 20mi away :/ I ended up taking down my Meshtastic node and selling all equipment to another ham wishing to get a head start :)

#hamradio #cwmouse #meshtastic

#cwmorse aluminium #cw key feels great, but I’m not happy with missed symbols. I suspect it is sensitive to debris in contacts. I decided to design my own using #3dprinting . Four ball bearings for paddles, magnetic tension and top secret switching components :) I intend to make more of these if youtube key reviewers give it favorable feedback.It is designed for quick no post processing assembly. I learned a lot to go from “one time piece” to no-post processing.

#3dprinting #hamradio #cw #masto2hugo

Imagine Christmas 1989 and you got this high end desktop air-band scanner from Radio-Shack for $179 ($455 in 2024 money). Wood grain, digital keypad, back-lit lcd display and 20, I say TWENTY memories!! Receives your airport ATIS in your kitchen 10mi away and has excellent selectivity and sensitivity. Now move 35 years later. $20 on eBay and 20 min cleaning gets you the same excitement and performance and you even remember programming :)

#aviation #hamradio #masto2hugo

Watched this video and snapped one of these “hangar scanners” :) #pilot #aviation #flying #avgeek #pilotlife #hamradio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcFilSVrQ2A

#aviation #hamradio #masto2hugo

Morserino-32 production is ending due to parts unavailability. This is a fully self contained, battery powered #cw trainer, keyer and decoder with wifi and lora connectivity. Even includes capacitive paddles!! I’m using it daily to pick up and practice my cw for few minutes at a time. I’m looking forward to building it’s successor kit :)

#hamradio #cw #masto2hugo

No more excuses, I’m starting my #qrplabs #qcx mini build tonight :) The remaining excuse WAS that my new #40m #efhw element and transformer were not tuned. I finally purchased a #nanovna -h and got below 1.2 VSWR in the center of #CW band :) Also used my efhw #3dp insulator to allow quick returning (design similar to tent guy lines lock). Out of curiosity I checked this ant on 10m but it was ~3. It will be easier to make a 10m than go for linked setup.

#3dprinting #hamradio #cw #masto2hugo

I like the concept of capacitive paddles, but the #morserino -32 execution is somewhat lacking as the PCB paddles wiggle their way out of their slots during operation. The remedy is simple, a small 3d printed block to slide between case and between paddles to align, stabilize and prevent shifting. It feels so precise when sending #cw with this improved setup - you feel touching the paddle, zero movement and it responds.

#hamradio #morserino32 #cw #masto2hugo

As I’m learning #CW I continue to experiment with #SDR receive and change my setup to improve usability. I’m using 40m #EFHW on a 26ft fishing pole as a inverted-V mast. While receive-only for now, I used my 25W EFHW transformer (from before selling G90) but find it bulky. I bought and build KM4CFT’s 5W efhw transformer and configured it with bullet connectors and creative use of paracord and zip-ties for anchoring the antenna wire. I also built 8-winder to avoid tangles and quick setup.

#hamradio #cw #masto2hugo

Got a fancy #cwmorse .us machined aluminum #cw key. Dual paddle, ball bearings, magnetic tension and base, and fully adjustable. Very precise and a big upgrade from the 3d printed #cwmorse unit. I started with their single 3dp paddle and added stronger springs but it didn’t feel consistent. This one DOES! Some downsides: loud contact clicks, need to hold horizontal due to heavy arms, can’t touch tension adjustment screw when operating. Rating it 8 while #3dp was 4.

#3dprinting #diy #hamradio #cw #masto2hugo

I’m learning #cw with #morserino32 + a sideswiper for simplicity. Now that I’m pretty good at sending at 18wpm (my letter spacing stretches as I get fatigued) I’m thinking of getting a dual paddle and I am exploring different keyer modes. Ran across this awesome video highlighting #ultimatic vs #iambic A and B. For somebody who only used a #sideswiper , I’m sold + #morserino supports it! Q. aside from HF radios keyer support, any downsides? #hamradio #amateurradio https://youtu.be/Hn4j2nfdKNE youtu.be/Hn4j2nfdKNE

#morserino32 #hamradio #cw #masto2hugo

I setup my RTL-SDR-v3 for HF on #Linux using #SDR ++. Used a 40m EFHW badly strung 5ft off the ground around the garden in #NVIS configuration. I was able to pick up CW from CA, NV, AZ and CA<->TX SSB. Also FT8 and JS8. Problem: on the #CW end of the band, I’m picking up an AM station which I assume is coming in via IF. Do I need real ground? or better common mode choke? Please advise. Having sold my bulky G90, I will use SDR, learn CW and get QCX once I can “hear” :)

#linux #hamradio #cw #masto2hugo

Selling my #hamradio #Xiegu #G90 with #digirig , cables, USB gps, metal tuning knob, feedline and a nice padded case for mobile work. New ones go for $445, this is as-new but USED, and I’ll let it go for $350 everything pictured included. Nothing wrong with it, I just lost interest in the hobby. Made JS8 contacts as far as east coast 🙂 CW with Hawaii, SSB as far as mid-west!! (all on 10m). For local pickup I’m in 95125, otherwise you pay shipping. Price negotiable.

#hamradio #masto2hugo

Cool packet radio demonstration with circa 1980s hardware :) Packet was before my time, I was on dial-up BBSes, but this was just a few years after Packet already declined. I have some books from the era describing the protocols and showing the basics. It was neat seeing it “live” :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCtkN3Moclo

#hamradio #video #masto2hugo

I ran into Meshtastic and started playing with it. Not quite ham radio, but it is radio technology, affordable and easier to share with friends. So far I have only a single Rak Wireless device in my kitchen. Very compromised setup for 915Mhz, but surprisingly I pick up a number of nodes through repeaters on the Santa Cruz Mountains ridge. The plan is to setup a solar node above the roof line and get more direct coverage and range. I’m interested in emcomm aspects of Meshtastic and exploration of it as APRS replacement.

#hamradio #meshtastic

With bad weather, I had time to solder a SH connector to the 6W solar panel. Then I formed aluminum L-channels for mounting the panel to my #meshtastic node. Very light weight, less than $20 including the panel and STRONG. The ABS pipe will break before this solar mount will.

#hamradio #meshtastic #solar #masto2hugo

Installed my #meshtastic node 20ft above ground with a high gain 8dBi #antenna . Reliably hitting many nodes now and even got folks responding on ‘LongFast’ channel. I spent about $30 on parts for this. Used a 10ft 2" ABS pipe, U-mounts, scrap wood and a 3d printed adapter to stabilize the antenna against the pole. Next I’ll make some sheet aluminum angle pieces and mount the 6W panel to the rig - I have a week and a half until the fully charged battery drains :)

#meshtastic #hamradio #masto2hugo

There is #meshtastic in the air :) Just setup my first node - a rak wireless unit. Uses only about 300mah per day including air sensor. Meshtastic is a 915mhz #lora based, very low power, messaging and beaconing system. Quite similar to #amateurradio #aprs . I upgraded the antenna to a 3dBi, but since LORA is line-of-sight and very low power, I get no range. The only nodes I picked up are those on the hills 10mi away. Next: solar panel, the board already has solar charge controller for 1s lipo.

#aprs #meshtastic #hamradio #masto2hugo

Mid 2023 I ran out of free time to commit to getting General and learning CW. I plateaued and lost interest :/ 2m nets didn’t bring any new info, ARRL newsline was the same reports of competitions of POTAs and of special events. FT8 chasing didn’t interest me. JS8 is really cool, but such limited bandwidth, that aside for Emcom end-of-the world scenarios, or chasing long contacts, didn’t captivate me.

#hamradio

In Dec 2022 Santa brought me Xiegu G90 and I got on the HF airwaves.

I’m learning CW hearing using lcwo.net, I’m practicing keying on Morserino-32 and single-paddle from CWmorse. For an antenna, I use QRPguys 20W EFHW with 40m element.

#hamradio #aprs

#Introduction #cq for #amateurradio and #hamradio . I’m Technician into #aprs , #cw and #emcomm on #hf . My equipment is Kenwood TH20A 2M in my car with magmount and #xiegu #g90 with #efhw on #battery #solar #power (the emcomm bit). I also have a 1W tracker in my #aircraft . The furthest I made SSB contacts from #california is #mississippi . On #js8 #js8call I easily make contacts into eastern seaboard. Current projects are learning #cw setting up a permanent #antenna and getting my #general .

#aviation #solar #aprs #hamradio #js8 #cw #masto2hugo

https://hackaday.io/project/190258-lm317-radiator-case 12V to 36V input, 9V output regulator for ham radio use with handheld Kenwood TH20A in a car.

#diy #3dprinting #hamradio #masto2hugo

Pilot Ham. I was initially interested in APRS to replace Spot Tracker to let my family know where I am when flying. When taking my Technical exam the proctor asked if I want to try taking the General since I did well… I said no, “All I need is Technical for APRS”. Three years later I’m attending 2m nets, learning CW, exploring Packet and thinking of using Winlink over HF.

#hamradio #aprs #winlink