Be Kind - Send Good Code

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Link to the web app - Morse Buddy

Be Kind

This is definitely still a work in progress and completely free. I'd appreciate constructive criticism, feature requests and bug reports in the comments.  Software bugs, not Vibroplex bugs; but if you can leave a Vibroplex bug in the comments that would be awesome as well.

That's all for now, so clean up your sending and keep folks from spinning the dial when they hear your call.

Ham College episode 136 is now available for download.

Technician Exam Questions Part 22.
T8A – Basic characteristics of FM and SSB: Bandwidth of various modulation modes: CW, SSB, FM, fast-scan TV, Choice of emission type: selection of USB vs LSB, use of SSB for weak signal work, use of FM for VHF.
T8B – Amateur satellite operation: Doppler shift, basic orbits, operating protocols, modulation mode selection, transmitter power considerations, telemetry and telecommand, satellite tracking programs, beacons, uplink and downlink mode definitions, spin fading, definition of “LEO”, setting uplink power.

Download
YouTube

Show Notes

Spin the Random Topic Wheel (Segment 1)

• “Your Dream Car”

This Weekend in Hedonism (Segment 2)

Cheryl’s Recipe Corner

• Honey Balsamic Glazed Ham

• Description:

  • Russ was never a fan of baked ham, until he moved here and tried my mom’s (which I’ve shared that recipe before in the past; it was an orange juice and brown sugar mixture). While we hadn’t gotten the chance to try this recipe yet, he was excited to try it (because what is better with ham that a lot of tasty mustard?). This is in my menu rotation for Easter.

• Ingredients

  • 1/2 fully cooked bone-in ham (about 7 lb. total; preferably shank end)
  • 2 tsp. black peppercorns
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup whole-grain mustard
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

• Directions

  • Heat oven to 375°F. Place ham, cut side down, on rack set in roasting pan; add 1/4 cup water to pan. Score ham on all sides in diamond pattern, cutting only 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. Cover ham and pan tightly with foil and bake 11/2 hours.
  • Meanwhile, using heavy pan, crush peppercorns; place in bowl. Add honey, mustards, and vinegar and whisk to combine. Transfer 1/2 cup glaze to small bowl and reserve for serving.
  • Brush one-third of glaze (about 1/3 cup) over ham and bake, uncovered, 15 minutes; rotate ham in oven and repeat with another 1/3 cup glaze and bake another 15 minutes. Brush remaining 1/3 cup glaze over ham and bake until ham is heated through and internal temperature registers 140°F, 15 to 20 minutes more. Slice and serve with remaining glaze.

Cheryl’s Mixed Drink Corner

• White Sangria

• Description:

  • I have always been a huge fan of fruity drinks, and I am a huge fan of white wine… so what could be better for your Easter related meal?

• Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup Applejack
  • 1/2 medium green apple, cored and diced
  • 1 medium orange, halved
  • 1 lime, thinly sliced
  • 1 mango or nectarine, pitted and sliced
  • 1 cup hulled and sliced strawberries
  • 2 (750-mL) bottles dry white wine, chilled
  • 1 (750-mL) bottle prosecco, chilled, to serve
  • Fresh mint or basil sprigs, to garnish

• Directions

• In a microwave-safe glass measuring cup, combine the sugar with ⅓ cup water. Microwave until the sugar is dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir well, then let cool completely.

• In a large pitcher, combine the Applejack and apple. Let sit for 10 minutes until the flavors incorporate.

• Squeeze half of the orange into the pitcher. Cut the remaining half of the orange into thin slices. Add the orange slices, lime, mango or nectarine, and strawberries; stir to combine. Pour the white wine over the fruit and stir to combine. Add 2 tablespoons of the simple syrup and taste for sweetness. Add more simple syrup, 1 tablespoon at a time, if desired.

• Serve the sangria over ice, topped with a splash of chilled prosecco, if you like. Garnish with fresh mint or basil sprigs.

Russ’s Drink Corner

• (I will occasionally pick something from Russ’s collection to mention… but I didn’t have time tonight)

Bill’s Whatever Corner

• Charlie Russel Irish Style Red Ale - Harvest Moon Brewing - Belt, Montana
  • 5.5% ABV 20 IBU
  • Because the water in Belt is almost identical to the classic Burton water in England, we have brewed a beer very similar to an ale from that region. Two row pale ale malt combined with hops of a soft, flowery character but not overly aromatic or bitter, combine for an ale to be enjoyed year round. This ale is red in color and has malt character like an amber ale but with the hoppiness of a pale ale.

Segment 3 (Announcements & Feedback)

• Memorial Service for Russ, K5TUX

  • There will be a memorial service for Russ at our home in Mt. Vernon, MO on November 1, 2026. Everyone is welcome! If you’d like to join us, please send an email to [email protected] and we’ll send you more info!

• Please Help Support the Show

  • Patreon, Paypal, Merch, Topics, YouTube

Segment 4 (New Subscribers, New Supporters & Live Participants)

• Patreon

  • John Stengel

• Live Show Participants

  • Delring, KQ4ALK
  • Mike, K6GTE

In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Dan Romanchik KB6NU, Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT, Edmund Spicer M0MNG and Ed Durrant DD5LP to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin Butler (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief, and the episode's feature is Baofeng UV-5R Mini Review.

We would like to thank our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate

• FO-29 Enters Full Sunlight: Veteran Satellite Sees Renewed Activity in 2026
• New Indiana Law Protects Ham Radio Antennas, Towers
• Radio Interference Has Landed U.S. Airlines With an $8 Million Bill to Fix Faulty Equipment on Boeing 787s
• Tennessee Approves Credentials for Amateur Radio Technician License
• 630M at Dayton Hamvention
• New Microwave Capabilities for the NRC
• Start Planning for ARRL Field Day 2026
• Judge Orders Voice Of America Back On The Air
• WRTC 2026 Not Permitting National Flags, Symbols

Making QSOs with a Tiny Solar Panel

Last year I bought a 5 watt solar panel and a little rechargeable battery for $14. This week I made two QSOs a day for 8 days powered only by the solar panel in the window. I wanted to find out if I could really make QSOs with minimal power. I worked 9 states and 3 countries.

I used the (tr) uSDX at 4 watts. The antenna was a 136 ft OCF dipole. In the foreground is the little battery. It’s only 2500 mAh. To convert the 5 volts from the battery to 12 volts for the rig, I used a Baofeng charging dongle. Everyday after making a couple of QSOs, I’d put the panel in a window and charge up the battery.

Of course using QRP is essential. The rig draws 66 mAh on receive
and 570 mAh on transmit.

Here’s my log for the 8 days I conducted the experiment:

11 Mar-26 1507 14.060 W0ANM CW 569 559 MN
12 Mar-26 1405 7056 VE3KZE CW 579 579 ON
12 Mar-26 1407 7053 K0DOG CW 579 579 PA
13 Mar-26 1511 14.060 KA5TXN CW 339 559 TX
13 Mar-26 1921 14.027 DL8DYL CW 599 599 Germany
13 Mar-26 1923 14.0 HA3MAR CW 599 599 Hungary
14 Mar-26 1405 7054 KB3NSK CW 559 599 PA
14 Mar-26 1407 7052 K3EW CW 559 599 MD
15 Mar-26 1359 7052 K4TNE CW 449 579 NC
15 Mar-26 1406 7057 K3OP CW 529 559 PA
16 Mar-26 1611 14.044 K5OHY CW 539 559 TX
16 Mar-26 1614 14.057 AF8T CW 599 599 OH
17 Mar-26 1541 7051 WA1TOM CW 339 559 MA
17 Mar-26 1549 14.044 N4DH CW 339 549 NC
18 Mar-26 1550 14.058 KF8FCC CW 599 599 MI
18 Mar-26 1555 14.047 NS1C CW 449 559 FL

For many months, I’d been using the panel and the battery to power
my WSPR transmitter at 200 mw. I’d send out a beacon every morning
on 20 meters. I was heard all over the world. So I thought I’d try CW
with a little more power.