With the ending of the Morse Code requirement, this will not have as much use and excitement around it as it could have. Yes, I am one of those who upgraded licenses ASAP after the changing of the rules, but I did have intent to learn the code as this article will illustrate. This project wasn’t completed until it was already certain that the requirement was going to be dropped, but was in the works before then and I finished it anyway because I decided it would be something fun to have.

After playing around with different computer programs that are designed to help one learn Morse Code, I decided that the best way to catch on to it was to use it and practice. The problem was that while No-Code technicians did have access to limited frequencies where they could use code on a regular basis, I did not have any equipment to operate there. All I had was 2 meter FM and 70 cm FM equipment. I had decided that the best way was to make a device that could be swapped with my mic and then after I got it working, convince a few other individuals to make similar devices and we could practice and learn Morse Code that way.

To make a long story short, mine is the only one that was ever built and it doesn’t get used much, but as there are still many people who prefer code over voice, I thought maybe someone would enjoy this project. I found a schematic that appeared to do what I wanted, and after consulting with a couple of the more experienced hams in the area decided that it would work for my purposes. I just needed to decide what to put it in.

I decided that a computer mouse would be just the device. It is made to fit the hand and already had buttons that could be used to send the code, just like clicking the mouse. After finding an old computer mouse that was about to meet the dumpster anyway, I gutted it out…all I needed was the plastic and the buttons. The rest of the components I bought at Radio Shack (you’ve got questions, we’ve got blank stares) and they actually had everything that I needed.

I followed the schematic and put the circuit together. Then to interface it with the radio, it just so worked out that I have a Kenwood TM-G707 sitting on my desk that has a RJ-45 connector for the mic. I found a pinout for the mic connector and wired it up and it worked! Here are a couple of pictures of it for you to enjoy.

If I were to do it again, I would make the cord to go to the radio a bit longer. The red switch on the side is a single-pole single-throw (SPST) momentary-on switch. It does the same thing as pressing the PTT on the side of your mic. The two mouse buttons are wired in parallel and do the same thing (emit a tone when pressed for as long as it is pressed) and I know it could be set up for one button for “.” and the other for “-” but that is not what I wanted or what was in the schematic.