Cw straight key to USB cable

[KF0AWL]

I tried to Google this and all I found was the wrong answers so I'm turning to my favorite knowledge base.
I want to practice my cw with my computer and use my straight key I bought. I Google how to hook it up to a computer in every possible way but always came back to same connect this to that cable blah blah blah with it all ending in a USB input eventually. Even ripping apart a old USB wired mouse to input through...
My idea i struck on tho is everyone has old usb phone charging cables laying around like me so is there a way to wire the key straight into the old charging cable to input into the computer?
If so what wire color combination would you wire to the posts? 🤔

 

[wowologist]

If you search google for Arduino Morse code key - you should find a few sketches for what I think your trying to do.

I think your missing the point of plugging in a USB cable and it suddenly works for what you want it to do, and thats not at all what happens. In a somewhat simple explanation you need the hardware > driver for the hardware > and then a software program to interpret what the hardware is doing and output a function; such as a light (LED) being turned on/off and or a particular sound generated through the audio out.

 

[AK9R]

usb phone charging cables

The USB 2.0 spec has four wires: +5 volts DC, ground, data +, and data -. Some USB charging cables only have two wires: + 5 volts DC and ground. In other words, they are not capable of carrying data.

 

[ko6jw_2]

This is a worthy project. However, there are some things to consider. Morse is learned by listening not sending. Amateur radio morse tests were only about copying a short message. Sending may have been tested in the past, but very far in the past. Commercial radiotelegraph tests given by the FCC did involve both.

Next, although Morse seems binary it is not. Yes, the straight key is on or off, but there is are also variables of element spacing and length and word length and spacing. I got into this when I wrote some Morse software 30 years ago.

If you just want to practice sending companies like MFJ sold code practice oscillators with keys. My earliest one had a buzzer.

Sending practice needs a live person to listen or Morse software that will convert what you send to characters. If the software can understand you then a person can too.

People generally send faster than they can receive. This can cause trouble on the air.

There are sound card based Morse apps out there.

Good luck and best wishes.

 

[WB9YBM]

This is a worthy project. However, there are some things to consider. Morse is learned by listening not sending. Amateur radio morse tests were only about copying a short message. Sending may have been tested in the past, but very far in the past. Commercial radiotelegraph tests given by the FCC did involve both.

Next, although Morse seems binary it is not. Yes, the straight key is on or off, but there is are also variables of element spacing and length and word length and spacing. I got into this when I wrote some Morse software 30 years ago.

I totally agree. To take things a step further, there's a good discussion of technique & etc. here: Morse code - Wikipedia

 

[K4EET]

@mtand73, we have a discussion going on this very subject in this thread:

Learning CW (Continuous Wave) which is Morse Code...

For those that would like to learn CW or for those wanting to improve their CW speed, there is a new application on the Internet that is FREE to all. The application was written by Scott Davis, N3FJP who writes software for general and contest logging. His website can be found here. The new...

forums.radioreference.com

Please consider joining us.

Merry CHRISTmas!

73, Dave K4EET