Keying Morse code
Press and hold the big key for a dash, tap it briefly for a dot. On a computer you can use the space bar instead. The decoder shows the dots and dashes of the letter you are sending, then turns them into a letter once you pause.
A short pause, about three dots long, ends a letter. A longer pause, about seven dots long, ends a word. Keep your dashes about three times as long as your dots and the decoder will follow you.
With Adapt to my speed switched on, the decoder learns your speed as you send, so it works whether you are a beginner sending slowly or an experienced operator. Your current speed is shown in words per minute.
Listening mode
Listening mode uses your microphone to pick up Morse code tones, for example from a radio, another phone or a video. It finds the loudest steady tone, measures how long each beep lasts and decodes it in the same way as the key.
It works best with clear, steady tones and little background noise. Speech, music or several tones at once will confuse it, so treat it as a helpful extra rather than a perfect decoder. The sound is processed in your browser and is not recorded or sent anywhere.
Practising
Start by sending your name and short words such as SOS, CQ and HELLO, checking the decoder agrees with you. If letters come out wrong, the usual cause is dashes that are too short or gaps between letters that are too long.
Questions and answers
How long should a dash be?
About three times as long as a dot. The gap between letters is also about three dots, and the gap between words about seven.
Why did it decode the wrong letter?
Usually a dash was too short and counted as a dot, or a pause inside a letter was long enough to split it. Slow down slightly and keep the rhythm even.
Does listening mode record me?
No. The microphone sound is analysed in your browser as it arrives and is never stored or uploaded.
Can I key Morse in other alphabets?
Yes. Choose the alphabet before you start, and the decoder will turn your dots and dashes into letters from that alphabet.