The Morse Mouse

aside. Remove the circuit board with its cable.On the back side of the circuit board, removethe traces that go to the two micro-type switchesand to the cable socket by scraping with a small

pen knife or rotary tool.

Determine the common, andnormally open, contacts on theswitches using an ohmmeter. Cutoff the mouse plug that goes to thecomputer, but leave about fourinches of cable attached. This cablecontains a shield wire and some

colored insulated wires; salvage all these wiresfrom the four-inch cable. Some of these wireswill be used as jumpers on the mouse circuitboard. (See wiring diagram.)

All parts necessary for construction of the MorseMouse will be taken from the original mouseexcept for a new plug to fit your keyer. Pick outtwo colored wires and the shield in the mousecable (your choice). Wire jumpers from thecircuit board cable socket to the two switchesyou are going to use. Check wiring wih an ohm-meter after completing wiring changes.

Wire the ring and tip contact of a stereo plugto match your keyer’s requirements. The shield,or common, goes to the plug shell.

“ It’s a greatweekendproject.”

Want to trys o m e t h i n g

different in a Keyer-Paddle? Try the“Morse Mouse.” It isa modified computermouse, preferably thetwo-button type, butthe three-buttonversion will work aswell. But I’m gettingahead of myself, Istopped by my palStan’s, W9GXJ, houseand saw him playingwith a computer

mouse. Curious, I asked him what he wasdoing, his reply: “I’ve made a hand key out ofit.” I suggested, “That thingwould make a neat paddle for anelectronic keyer. Let’s use onebutton for dit and one for dah.”Stan promptly rewired the mouseas a paddle. It takes some practiceto acquire the skill to use it, but itis not difficult and is fun tooperate. The first part of this articlecovers the construction, and thesecond part describes the operation of the MorseMouse.

PART ICONSTRUCTION OF THE MORSE MOUSEBy Stanley Shure, W9GXJ

First, obtain a two-button computer mouse forconversion to a code paddle for your electronickey. If a three-button mouse is obtained, thethird button is not used.

Step one is to remove the mouse ball andbottom screw or screws. (Note: some units havea rectangular plastic strip covering the screwholes that first must be removed.) Lift off thetop cover. Now remove both wheels and set

Morse Mouse

K9YA Telegraph

Stanley Shure, W9GXJ & Dick Sylvan, W9CBT

A New Type of Keyer-Paddle

Copyright © 2004 Robert F. Heytow Memorial Radio Club

Volume 1, Issue 5

MAKE IT A SIMPLE MODIFICATION

Using your own cable and plug, solder themdirectly to both micro-type switches, as per thediagram. (Some mouse units use SMTcomponents, so take care when soldering. Usea low wattage soldering iron and very thin, highquality solder.) Plug the mouse into your keyerand operate.

PART IIOPERATING THE MORSE MOUSEBy Dick Sylvan, W9CBT

Completing the Morse Mouse, I hooked it tomy electronic keyer and tried to send with it. Imade a lot of mistakes at first as it is a newskill to learn. We had put the dit key on theleft and the dah keyon the right. I foundthis kind of awkwardfor me, so I had Stanswitch the dit to theright side.

I also turned the keyaround from thec o n v e n t i o n a lposition, so that thebuttons now facedme — this requiresthat the cable exit

Place Artwork Here

K9YA Code Practice NetsFast Net

Every first Wednesday of the month, 7.137 MHz (plus or mi-nus QRM) at 7:00 P.M. (2400 Z). Check in, exchange FISTSnumbers or hang around for a chat. The Fast Net is called at20+ wpm.

Slow Net

Every 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wednesday of the month, 7.137 MHz(plus or minus QRM) at 7:00 P.M. (2400 Z). Check in, ex-change FISTS numbers or hang around for a chat. The SlowNet is called at 10-wpm, but speed will be adjusted to thatof the slowest operator.

Under the Hood — Note Cable Reversed

Morse Mouse in Action

CONTINUED - SEE MMON PAGE 7

Volume 1, Issue 5

Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day

May has been named Military Appreciation Month bythe U.S. Congress.

The Ft. Wayne Radio Club (Indiana) requests thatAmateur Radio clubs and individuals join us on May29, 2004 to commemorate Amateur Radio MilitaryAppreciation Day (ARMAD) in a display of support forthe men and women of the U.S. military. We ask thatAmateur Radio Clubs and operators in the United Statesand around the world set up stations in public areas tocontact those now serving in the military, and veteransfor 4-6 hours. We ask that family members of militarypersonnel and the general public be permitted to expresstheir appreciation to our troops via third-party HF, VHF,UHF, Echolink and IRLP. This would be a great moralebooster for those on the front-line and at home.

So, spread the word and submit any ideas to EmeryMcClendon, KB9IBW, special events manager, at[kb9ibw@netzero.com].

MM - CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

from the other side. I found this method workedmuch better for me. I practiced with the MorseMouse for a few days and then had nerve enoughto try it on the air. I have had numerous QSOswith it and found it to be a lot of fun. It certainly isan inexpensive project as computer mice can bepicked up cheaply. I bought one for $3.00. Youmight even have one laying around in your junkbox. It’s a great weekend project.

JOYOUS NOISE - CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

OLD MAN - CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

and one day join the Fast Code Net.

I’m glad to have passed Element 1 and hopethat one day Morse will be an issue that unitesrather than divides Hams. I understand thatI’ll always be a General (or, one day, Extra)“Lite.” I only had to pass a 5-WPM exam andthere is concern Morse will be dropped entirelyfrom HF privilege requirements. I can’t worryabout that as I can’t control it. Instead, I’ll focuson striving to develop good operating skills andimprove my CW copy and transmission skills.

Who knows, with enough practice, maybe oneday I’ll actually be good at this. I know I’llcontinue to have fun along the way!

CORRECTION

April 2004 - ANT HR IS FLAG POLE — HW CPY?The article incorrectly states that the Force 12 FlagPole Antenna includes a flag.

to put that skill to work for the greater good.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

Volunteer as a CW operator for local groups’ specialevent and club contest stations.

Put your own CW special event station on the air.Celebrate a local radio club’s anniversary or yourown birthday!

When you hear a special event station using CWgive them a call, whether you were looking for themor not. Let’s make sure special event planners don’tgive up on CW due to a perceived lack of interest.

Contact event sponsors (available on the ARRLWeb site’s special events page) and request CWoperation.

On the air, make a special effort to thank specialevent station ops for making Morse available.

to a “Scaleable Polyphonic” MIDI. A few seconds laterI had the file on my phone via Mobi MB and I then setthe default ring to use the tone.

That was a few weeks ago and the ring has worked outvery nicely. It is always a pleasure for me to hear and itdoesn’t seem to bother my fellow commuters, in fact acouple of people have asked me if that was Morse code.I felt I needed one thing to top it off and that was acustom graphic. I couldn’t locate one in my collectionso I asked Mike, N9BOR, and he was able to provide anice CW graphic which I then downloaded and set asmy phone’s wallpaper. Now if only Nokia would take ahint and make a phone that sends the caller ID numberin CW, then I would know if I wanted to take it out ofmy pocket or not.

BEEP BEEP! - CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

Copyright © 2004 Robert F. Heytow Memorial Radio Club