Morse-It

Presentazione

Morse-it is an easy-to-use application that lets you translate, interpret, type, learn, convert Morse code, and more.
You can run it on your iPhone or iPad and it is compatible with VoiceOver.

Note: by getting this app, you'll have access to several useful and fun features related to Morse code (these are the features explained in this description).
In addition, you can unlock advanced features in the app if you need them: learning and social features. More information at the end of this description.

Type any text and it will be automatically encoded into a full-screen flashing effect of the corresponding Morse code.
The flashlight of your device is also used.

Your SOS messages will be seen quite far away!

Some sound will also be played accordingly. In detailed mode, the encoded text will scroll during the decoding process.

Tap some Morse code on the screen and the program will translate it into some text.
Several input types are supported: Novice, Straight Key, Memory Paddle, Iambic Paddle (A and B), Microphone. Left and right handed modes are supported.
Test and improve your skills: are you good enough to be understood?

Create Morse code audio files from a given text (or variables).
Use these files as you like: listen to them to train your decoding skills or use them as ringtones for your mobile phone.

Create beautiful abstract wallpapers for your device (or posters to be printed) by customizing the display of the dashes and dots of the sentence you like.

Exclusive feature that allows you to decode in real time the Morse code recorded by the microphone into text (note: the sound must be quite clear/loud and without much noise).
Some automatic calibration is performed, allowing adaptation to speed, tone and volume changes.

The full Morse alphabet (including prosigns) can also be viewed and the associated Morse code can be played.
Tapped and decoded text can be edited and exported to clipboard, in-app email and SMS.
A special screen allows textual conversion of Morse code and text. Exchange encrypted messages with your friends.

Wikipedia and Visual Mnemonic screens to get information and mnemonics about Morse code.
You can also add your own websites for in-app consultation.
The whole application is highly configurable (frequency, WPM, tone type, color, Morse code, variables ...)

A customizable today view widget can be added to your home screen to display the current date in Morse code.

You can also become part of the Morse-it Social Club (thanks to a renewable subscription) and unlock the following Social features:
Messages, Forums, Radios, QSO Bot, Poem of the Day, Quotes of the Day, Games of the Day ... and more.

The following Learning features will also be unlocked (but can also be unlocked with a single one-time in-app purchase if you prefer):
Koch trainer, Sending trainer, CWops Academy learning method, Quiz, Macros, Dictionaries: abbreviations, QSOs, mnemonics, timing (Farnsworth) and Morse alphabet/Prosigns personalization, appearance customization ... and more.

Some Morse-it features are powered by Icom, a world leader in the amateur radio market.

!!! As seen on TV !!! (UK) in Most Haunted Live: Apparently you can use it to communicate with ghosts (no guaranty though :D)

Video

(v8.2.1 with premium features)


(v2.0)		(v2.0)

Screenshots iPhone

Screenshots iPad

Funzioni di apprendimento (acquisto in-app o abbonamento)

They are mainly intended for those who want to learn Morse code efficiently, those who want to improve their skills, and those who just want to practice.

Koch trainer screen to learn Morse code, one letter after the other, thanks to this easy and configurable method.
Sending trainer screen to learn sending Morse code, one letter after the other.
CWops Academy screen: an effective way to learn Morse code, practicing different copying and sending sessions. The progress is tracked so you can see your evolution.
Quiz screen to test your skills. Highly configurable and different modes available (type the corresponding text, type the corresponding code, select the correct text, select the correct code, random quiz).
Timing units edition and Farnsworth method.
Predefined macro sets and dictionaries (in English): Morse abbreviations, Morse QSOs, Morse mnemonics, Common English words...
Morse alphabet edition (add/remove/change characters or prosigns, with collisions/priorities handling).
Editable Macros (allows to quickly insert some predefined text and variables).
The Morse alphabet and the macros can be imported/exported for backup, sharing and modification on a computer.
Possibility to add some noise to the audio signal.
Audio decoding can be performed even while you are in the other screens of the application.
Bonus: Customizable application's background and colors.

Funzioni di social club (abbonamento)

Use of your existing skills and interact with your friends or other users, play games, work with some daily updated content, and have a good time thanks to the knowledge you have acquired.

Messages screen that allows you to send and receive Morse code or text messages with some private groups of friends.
Read and reply to messages when you want, at your convenience.
Forums screen that allows you to discuss with other users about different topics. Either with Morse code or text messages.
A nice way to share with the community and find new contacts.
Radios screen for real-time Morse code public conversations with an unlimited number of connected users, or private ones only with your friends.
QSO Bot screen to practice your QSO conversations with a robot, always there for you when you need to talk to someone :)
Poem of the day. A new poem to listen to every day.
A dedicated Home screen widget is provided and can be added, showing you the new title and author, and reminding you to decode the new poem.
Possibility to practice copying and sending each poem.
Quotes of the day. Listen to 10 new quotes every day.
A dedicated Home screen widget is also provided.
You can also use it to practice copying and sending.
Games screen so you can play fun and short games every day.
Possibility to compare your scores with other players if you want.
3 different games currently available (Memory, Parrot and Find the Animal)

Hardware Interface

It is possible to use Morse-it with external hardwares thanks to its Hardware Interface feature.
You can use external keyboards, iCade compatible controllers, or MFI Game Controllers to control the different Key types displayed on the screen.
The most enthusiastic will even be able to interface their favorite Morse Code key thanks to that feature.

Game Controller

MFI Game Controllers are game controllers that can officially be used on iOS devices.
Every button can be assigned to the dit or dah areas of the touch screen.

iCade Controller

iCade compatible game controllers are supported.
In fact those controllers are seen as keyboards by iOS.
To work correctly, those controllers send a different keyboard character to generate a button press and a button release.
(this is necessary, because it is not officially possible to detect key presses and key releases on iOS).
Every iCade button triggers two keyboard characters (one for press and one for release) which can both be associated to the dit or dah areas of the touch screen.

Keyboard

Keyboards, connected using bluetooth, or using USB (thanks to a Camera Connection Kit), can also be used.
Every keyboard key can be assigned to the dit or dah areas of the touch screen.

Note for iOS versions lower than iOS13.4 :
This is experimental: it is not officially possible to detect key presses and key releases on iOS, which is something needed for a Morse Code input.
Fortunately, there is a currently working workaround allowing to detect them, but this workaround has its limits: it does not work when two keyboard keys are pressed at the same time.
While this limitation is not a problem with Straight or Novice Keys, it can be a annoying with Iambic keys.

However, using an Iambic Key, it is not only possible to assign the dit area and the dah area, but is is also possible to assign a dit+dah area that can be used when the two keys should be pressed at the same time.

With iOS13.4 or higher, the keyboard is fully supported (key presses and key releases + special keys recognized, like the control key).

Morse Key : iPac / Makey Makey / Adafruit Feather / VBand adapter / Arudino ...

For the enthousiast, it is possible to connect a real key to the iOS device, and to use it thanks to those supported Interfaces in Morse-it (Game Controller / iCade / Keyboard).

	A ready-made solution can be to use the VBand adapter created by Ham Radio Solutions (click here, then click on the "Store" button) which turns a Morse key into a usb keyboard. In order to use it with your device (on older devices), you will also need a usb to lightning adapter, like the one proposed by Apple, here. Here is a great video from NexxuSix/KD9MED explaining you how to configure the VBand adapter with Morse-it. Sum-up: To configure the VBand adapter in Morse-it: (iOS13.4 or higher is mandatory) as a straight key : Go to Global > Hardware Interface > Straight key > Keyboard> and set Key to Left Control as an iambic key : Go to Global > Hardware Interface > Iambic/Memory > Keyboard>, set Dot to Left Control and set Dash to Right Control Also don't forget to set your Key type Global > Key type accordingly (Straight or iambic key).
	In his blog, Joshua explains in details how to connect an iAmbic key (with support of the dit/dah pressed at the same time). He is using an Adafruit Feather 32u4 Bluefruit LE (connected to the device using bluetooth). He is kind enough to share, not only step by step instructions, but also the full source code used to configure the Adafruit.
	As showcased by segrus, with a little soldering skill, you can use an Arduino Leonardo to connect your external hardware. On older devices, a Camera Connection Kit is used to connect the Arudino to the device.
	Here is an explanation on how to connect to your Morse Code key, using either a 2-wire or 3-wire interface, to the Morse-it Keyboard Hardware Interface. A Camera Connection Kit (on older devices) and an iPac2 are used. Check this great tutorial video from NexxuSix/KD9MED for more information. Here, the default Morse-it configuration is used : Straight Key press = Space Bar Iambic Key dit = Left Arrow, Iambic Key dah = Right Arrow (Many thanks to user KD9MED for his help and knowledge regarding this connection).
	As showcased by N2RKL, a Makey Makey can also be used to connect an external hardware to Morse-it. On older devices, a Camera Connection Kit is used to connect the Makey Makey to the device.

domande più frequenti

Troubleshoots:
- Q : I cannot get any sound out of the application. Any suggestions?
  There are two volume levels that can be changed in Morse-it :
  - The first one is hardware based : you can change it using the volume buttons of your phone, while having the Morse-it application opened.
  - The second one is more software based and can be changed using a dedicated slider in the settings screen of the Morse-it application (at the the top of this screen that contains a lot of configuration items)
  In this settings screen, you can also change the frequency. Some very high frequencies might be harder to hear.
  
  Some users reported to have their problem solved by :
  - Killing the app and restarting it again.
  - Restarting the device.
  - Going to the Settings app, selecting Privacy-->Microphone and disabling the Morse-it access. Then enabling it again.
  - Performing a "Reset All Settings" on the iPhone settings.(Please note: this will mean loosing your personalised wallpaper or any other customisations you have made to the settings but your personal data and apps will be safe: Data such as your contacts list and media such as your songs and videos are not deleted.)
  Finally, Here are some potential problems that could be checked :
  - Perhaps your iPhone is paired with a Bluetooth headset and the sound Is redirected to it
  - Bring the control panel, while using Morse-it (with a swipe from the bottom of the screen) and check that sound is not redirected to something special.
  - Try to plug some headphones, and see if you can hear any sound.
  - This shouldn't have any effect in Morse-it, but check that the sound is not muted (using the hardware switch of the phone)
  - Perhaps it is a hardware problem or an iOS problem, like something in the this discussion.
- Q : I cannot buy the in-app upgrade. What is the problem ?
  Your problem might be one of the following ones :
  - Check your internet connection : an internet connection to Apple servers is necessary.
  - You might be using a different iTunes account when trying to buy the in-app purchase, than the one you used to buy the app on the app store.
    As a restriction from Apple, the iTunes accounts have to be the same.
  - Be sure that In-App Purchases are allowed in the Device Settings application : General -> Restrictions -> Allowed Content -> In-App Purchases
  - If the problem persists, restarting your device might solve the issue
  - Finally, the problem may be a temporary problem (problem accessing apple servers) that may be be solved automatically after a few hours.
Standard features help:
- Q : The audio decoding is not working correclty. What is the problem?
  Audio decoding is quite difficult, and it unfortunately does not always work perfectly.
  That said, it should work quite well most of the times.
  For instance Morse-it should be able to decode the following audio files without any problems:
  http://www.arrl.org/code-practice-files
  
  Here are some hints to improve the decoding :
  - Your device should be placed not too far from your audio source. The audio source should be as clear as possible. In case there is a lot of noise in the room, or in your audio source, then Morse-it will have difficulties to differentiate the audible noise from the audible Morse code. If you can, using an external microphone (like the one on the Apple headphones) and placing it near the audio source should improve the decoding (if there is some other audio in the room).
  - By default, in the "Decode" screen, Morse-it will try to detect (and adapt to) the WPM of the audible Morse code. The currently detected WPM is displayed on the grid at the bottom. If you see that the displayed WPM does not seems correct at all after some time, you can touch the grid : this will reset the detection algorithm, and another detection will be performed.
  - In case you already know the precise WPM of your audio source, you can disable the automatic adaptation in the "Settings" screen of Morse-it, under the "Decode" part : this will highly help the decoding process, since the app won't have to guess the duration of the sounds to detect.
  - Be aware that the time units (the relative duration of the dit/dots/silences) defined by the "Rules" screen are used by the decoding algorithm so if you have changed those values to something else than the default ones (by enabling Farnsworth, for instance), there are chances that this won't match the time units of the Morse code you are trying to decode (that will most probably be standard Morse code, with standard time units). The same remark goes for the glossary (alphabet) defined in the app which should match the one of the audible one.
- Q : How to create an audio file to use as a ringtone
  Morse-it can create for you a ringtone file easily, however, installing this ringtone in your iPhone is a little bit more complex.
  (there is, unfortunately, currently no way for a app -except the ones from Apple- to directly install a ringtone)
  To create the ringtone file, Go to the Audio Files screen, choose the text and parameters you want, and preview the audio if needed. You then have 2 possibilities :
  1. On iOS11
    Install the GarageBand app from Apple. This app can create a ringtome from an audio file.
    In Morse-it, export the audio file as a hq audio file, choosing the .aif file format.
    Press the export button, and select the activity item (bottom part of the popup) named "Save to files". If that item does not appear, you have to select the "More" item to add it yourself to the list.
    Once GarageBand is installed, you will then be able export the file to the "GarageBand File Transfer" folder on your device). Open GarageBand and import the file in a project, in order to export it as a ringtone (here is a tutorial about that, but you can find some other ones using google.
  2. On any iOS version
    Export the audio file as a ringtone, choosing the .m4r file format.
    Press the export button, and send it to you as an email (you could also export it to Dropbox or something similar, if you have them installed on your device) : the goal is to get this file on your computer.
    To install this ringtone file on your iPhone, you have to use iTunes on your computer. Add this .m4r file in iTunes, and sync (the Tones) with your iPhone.
    There are several tutorials on the web that will explain how to install a ringtone.
    You can check this link, for instance.
    Just skip all the part before "Turn any song into an iPhone ringtone: Import the .m4r file into Tones" (since you already have the .m4r file)
  Also note that as another constraint from Apple, a ringtone file cannot be longer that 30 seconds.
Premium features help:
- Q : I can't find the Timing/Farnsworth setting. Where is it?
  To enable Farnsworth timing, on iPhone, you have to go to Settings screen and then select the Farnsworth item under the the Global section.
  - You can then simply enable the option, and move the dedicated Farnsworth sliders.
  - Note: if needed, you can also, in the Rules/Time screen, press the top right options button to enter edit mode.
    You will be able to change all the time units, by selecting them.
    For Farnsworth timing, you can increase the Short and Medium gaps to the values you prefer (for instance multiplying them by 2).
  Warning: This newly defined timing will be taken into account in all the other screens of Morse-it.
- Q : How can I use the Koch trainer
  Here are some instructions regarding the Koch trainer :
  First of all, here is a web page that will explain you the basics of the Koch method. http://hfradio.org/koch_1.html
  The goal is to learn Morse code focusing on an increasing subset of characters.
  In Morse-it, the left tab displays the heard characters (the result) and the right tab (the notes) can be used to write the heard characters.
  
  There are 3 ways to use this screen, according to your taste :
  - Start the training, select the right tab (notes) and touch the big white area. This will bring you a keyboard allowing you to progressively enter the characters you hear.
    At the end of the training, click on the compare button and the app will tell you, and visually highlight, how many errors you made.
    To spot the errors, Morse-it compares all the characters, one after the other, of the two tabs : Result and Notes.
    So basically, if 10 characters are emitted and if you also enters 10 characters but make an error for 2 characters, your score will be 80%.
  - Start the training and watch the left tab. In your head memorize the heard characters and directly compare what you've just decoded with the result, while it is progressively displayed.
  - Start the training, get a paper and a pencil and write the characters you hear. At the end of the training, look at the result and see by yourself how successful you were.
  Once you are good enough with the current subset of characters, you can advance, and add a new letter.
  You then have to press the right arrow (located at the bottom).
  This is a manual operation, so you can do it whenever you want (and bypass this conventional 90% success)
  
  In the settings screen you can change some parameters of the method, in case you need something very specific.
  You can also edit the dedicated macro file if you need to change or re-order the characters.
  However, the default parameters should be enough (as they define the typical Koch method).
- Q : During the Koch Trainer, I cannot type <bt> quickly enough. What can I do?
  - The quickest way to enter your prosign is to use the import button in the Koch Trainer screen (which was mainly added for that purpose).
    
    This button is displayed once the training is started, on the left part of the toolbar (it is a square with an arrow pointing in it).
    Press this icon, and the Glossary/Macros list will be presented to you.
    Select <bt> either from the Glossary or from the Koch Training Items Macro list (which is probably better since the 3 main prosigns are next to each other).
    (Note : you could also create your own list with the elements you want only)
    
    Touch the prosign and it will be inserted in the text area.
    Since this insert screen keeps your previous position in the list, then your prosigns will always be two clicks away.
  - Morse-it being highly configurable, there is also a more complex solution to the problem.
    
    This solution would be to edit the Koch Trainer Items list (in the Macros screen) and to change "<bt>" to "=".
    The trainer will then display "=" instead of "<bt>", and if you write "=" in the notes, then the comparison will match the two characters.
    
    For the "<sk>" prosign, you could also replace it the same way by a simpler, unused character (like the "Ś" character which should be accessible by long pressing the "S" keyboard key)
    But since this character does not exist in Morse code, you'll also have to edit the Glossary (in the Rules screen), to add the "Ś" character corresponding to the "...-.-" sequence.
    (you'll have to move "Ś" to the bottom of the list, in order to make "<sk>" higher priority, which will allow the app to still use "<sk>" by default)
    
    <ar> could be changed the same way to "Ā".
- Q : I want to listen numeric code only (or specific letters) in trainer. How to do that?
  To configure the Koch Trainer screen, you have to go in the Settings screen.
  Under the Koch Trainer section, you can change the items that will be used by the trainer.
  Touch the items option, and select the numbers list.
  This list only contains the numbers from 0 to 9, and will allow you to focus on the numbers only.
  
  If you need more customization, see the next FAQ question.
- Q : Can I customize the trainers to play some specific words or letters ?
  The Koch Trainer screen (but also the Sending Trainer screen, and the Quiz screen) can be fully customized to work with custom elements (letters or event words).
  To change those elements, you can go to the Settings screen, under the Koch Trainer (or the Sending Trainer or the Quiz section).
  You'll see an Items option, touch it to change the list of elements.
  
  When you select the Items option, you'll see that there are some existing lists of items (like English common words, letters, numbers or Koch training items).
  You can select one of those, but you can also create your own list if you want.
  
  For that go to the Macros screen.
  You'll see that there are some macros lists named English common words, letters, numbers or Koch training items.
  Those are the lists that you could see in the list of possible items, when customizing.
  To create your own, in this Macros screen:
  - Press the option button (the button with the 4 horizontal lines, on top of the screen), and select edit.
  - Press the Add button and name your list the way you want.
  - Press the Done button.
  - Select your new list and enter edit mode using the top right button.
  - Press Add button several times to add all your items (letters or even words)
  - When finished, press the done button.
  You can then go back to the Koch trainer section of the Settings screen to select your newly created list in the items field.
  
  Note : There is also a Words generation option that is used to specify how many of those elements should be concatenated in order to create words.
  This option is useful if the list of elements is composed of letters.
  In case the list of elements are already words, then this option should be set to 1 ("at least with 1 item" and "up to 1 item").
  
  Why? : By default the initial list is made of letters, so the Trainer has to build words as a first step (concatenate the elements without a space), before building the sentences.
  This is why there is this Words generation setting.
- Q : Creating a list of Macros is not really easy on the device. Is there an alternative ?
  Yes, you can do it from your computer as well, and then import the file in the app.
  
  You might have noticed that when you press the (top right) options button, when a macro list is displayed, there is an option to export the list.
  When you export a list of macros (like the default Quiz items), a .mitd file is created and can be sent to you by email for instance (airdrop and other ways can be used as well).
  
  Also, In your mail app, if you click on a .mitd file, you can select the Morse-it app to open the .mitd file into the app (and then import it).
  Once imported, you will see it in the list of macros.
  
  You can edit a .mitd file on your computer, as it is just a renamed text file (formatted as a plist/xml content).
  For information, when editing the file you'll see an obscure type field set to 2 : this identifies the file as a macros list.
  The type = 1 is for the unique glossary, that can be exported/imported as well (and that also contains a Morse field for every element).
  
  SO :
  - export one of the lists, and send it to your computer. This list will be used as a template.
  - rename the file to .txt, for easier edition, and double click on it.
  - edit it as you like (don't forget to also edit the name)
  - save the file and rename it to .mitd.
  - Send it back to your phone, and import it in Morse-it
- Q : Where can I set the callsign (YOUR_NAME) variable used in the Macros or in the CWops Academy screen?
  You can set this callsign variable in the Settings screen (by default located in the More tab)
  In the Global section of this Settings screen, you'll find a Variables item.
  Touch it, and you'll be able to edit those variables by touching them. You'll also be able to add some new ones, if needed.

Cronologia

v10.0

For more than 10 years, Morse-it users have enjoyed great basic features to discover, encode, decode, type, translate and have fun with Morse code.

Later, some learning features were added for users who wanted to learn Morse code more efficiently.
Learning features unlocked some different learning methods (Koch, Farnsworth) and tools (Trainers, CWOps Academy, Quiz, Macros).

Today, with this new version 10.0, not only the basic and learning features get additional content, but a new group of (optional) social features is introduced, for those who want to use and practice their hardly acquired skills.
Select one of the new social features in the app to get a presentation of all the new exciting features you can access.

Here is a complete list of all the changes in this 10.0 release:

This and some recent release notes can now be viewed by touching the version number in the About screen (or by selecting the Show History menu button).
Shortcuts screen to quickly switch to another screen (it is currently displayed as the first screen in the tab. This can be changed in Settings > User Interface > Rearrange screen order).
Wallpaper screen, which allows you to create beautiful (and cryptic to the novice) wallpaper images that display your favorite quotes in Morse code.
Today Widget: Add the current day to your home screen, displayed in Morse code with configurable colors.
Prosign encoding/decoding is no longer part of the learning features and is available to all users.
Decode : Option to increase the size of the information area (speed/frequency) in the Decode screen.
Premium: Ability to add some noise to the audio signal.
Premium / Koch Trainer : Possibility to display the current letter (without Morse code) or the current word in the visual hints area of the Koch screen.
Premium / Koch Trainer : If the trainer is stopped manually while a word is being transmitted, this incomplete word is no longer taken into account when calculating the results.
Premium / CWOps Academy : Pause/Resume is now possible.
Premium / CWOps Academy : Background audio is now enabled when the segments are chained.
Creation of the Morse-it Social Club: A new set of features that allows users to interact with each other, exchange messages and more. Get some Morse code related fun every day. A good reason to use your great skills!
Social : Messaging screen that allows you to send and receive Morse code or text messages with some private groups of friends. Read and reply to messages when you want, at your convenience.
Social : Forums screen that allows you to discuss with other users on different topics. Either with Morse code or text messages. A nice way to share with the community and find new contacts.
Social : Radio screen for real-time Morse code public conversations with an unlimited number of connected users, or private ones only with your friends.
Social : QSO Bot screen to practice your QSO conversations with a robot, always there for you when you need to talk to someone :)
Social : Poem of the day. A new poem to listen to every day. A dedicated home screen widget is provided and can be added, showing you the new title and author, and reminding you to decode the new poem. Possibility to practice copying and sending each poem.
Social: Quotes of the day. Listen to 10 new quotes every day. A special home screen widget is also provided. You can also use it to practice copying and sending.
Social : Games screen so you can play fun and short games every day. Possibility to compare your scores with other players if you want. 3 different games currently available (Memory, Parrot and Find the animal)
Variables: Addition of the following random variables : name/name_man/name_woman/location/random_0_Z/random_0_z
VoiceOver accessibility improvements (escape gesture support leading to shortcut screen, magic tap to pause/resume, various announcements and focus changes greatly improve app usage).
Keyboard recognition improvements (mainly for use on compatible computers).
When necessary, the Menlo character font is used to increase the contrast between some characters, such as the letter O and the number 0. This option can be changed in the Settings/Appearance screen.
Minor fixes and improvements.

Disponibilità

Morse-It possono essere acquistati su App Store

Informativa sulla privacy e termini di servizio

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Aiuto

Per ulteriori informazioni o supporto, contattate (in inglese o francese) .
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