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Technical Topics => Software => Topic started by: Josh on December 15, 2019, 2339 UTC

Title: CW Decoder Apps
Post by: Josh on December 15, 2019, 2339 UTC
After doping some testing of cw decoders have come to the conclusion that the best freely available I have used so far is;
CW Decoder
https://download.cnet.com/CW-Decoder/3000-18511_4-75325058.html
v3.58 apparently

http://www.hotamateurprograms.com/downloads.htm
a v3.80 version here

Once installed, set your preferred sound card as input and set the afc to auto, and starting freq to the same cw offset (bfo) as your rig, in my case 600Hz.
I prefer the waterfall display to the line display, easier to adjust the dsp gain and see the overall effects of any filtering.

Compared to the other cw decoders tested on live ota hand sent cw; K500 and Sorcerer tied for last place, Centurion wasn't too shabby, and WCODE was only beat out by CW Decoder. Nice such a great app is free.

Other decoders under test, stand by.

Title: Re: CW Decoder Apps
Post by: JCMaxwell on December 17, 2019, 1608 UTC
I’ll be interested in your findings Josh.
Title: Re: CW Decoder Apps
Post by: Josh on December 17, 2019, 2201 UTC
Have heard this one is the holy grail of decoders;
http://www.polar-electric.com/Morse/MRP40-EN/
and priced accordingly

Another effective one that also comes at cost;
https://www.dxsoft.com/en/products/cwget/

The good thing is one can dl and test them before you buy!




Some people like (free version) DM780 for cw, and while this is my fav by far HAM digital mode decoder, I've never used it on cw;
https://www.egr.msu.edu/msuarc/software/ham-radio-deluxe/

Another freeware decoder is fldigi;
http://www.w1hkj.com/
never found it to be faster or lighter than DM780

What is really needed for this game is a decoder that (1) decodes well and (2) timestamps each xmission, with item 2 being something lacking in almost every HAM decoder.
In that light I'll be taking another look at the various spookware decoders like Sorcerer, K600, WCODE and see if they can be jostled into better decodes.

Also in near future might be hand delivering a restored R390A to someone who used to copy, via R390A, Russian, Chinese, and other morse traffic while in uniform.
I intend on getting an interview from him on the subject and will post it.
Title: Re: CW Decoder Apps
Post by: Max Chill on December 17, 2019, 2225 UTC
I have used most all listed, except the expensive commercial software.  MRP40 is my favorite.