MFJ MFJ-413, MFJ-417 User Manual

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Table of Contents

Introduction..........................................................................................................1

Battery..................................................................................................................1

Tone Control ........................................................................................................1

Audio....................................................................................................................2

Operation..............................................................................................................2

Speed Button.................................................................................................2

Group Button.................................................................................................3

Set/Play Button..............................................................................................3

Combine Mode.......................................................................................4

Reset All Settings..........................................................................................5

Farnsworth Mode..........................................................................................5

Interactive Mode...........................................................................................5

Instant Play....................................................................................................6

Recall Settings...............................................................................................6

Self Test ...............................................................................................................7

Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................9

Technical Assistance............................................................................................9

Morse Code Character Set..................................................................................10

Some CW Abbreviations....................................................................................11

Meaning of Q Signals.........................................................................................12

SettingSaver

Schematic...........................................................................................................14

Chart...........................................................................................13

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MFJ-413/417 Instruction Manual Pocket Morse Code Tutor

Introduction

The MFJ-413 and MFJ-417 Pocket Morse Code Tutors are microprocessor controlled devices that can help a beginner learn Morse code or an experienced Ham to increase code speed. The MFJ-413 generates the required characters for the FCC code exam. In addition to all the features of the MFJ-413, the MFJ-417 contains words commonly used in amateur radio and a random QSO generator to simulate "on the air" contacts. Also, the MFJ-417 has a non-volatile memory.

Note: All references to the non-volatile memory apply to the MFJ-417 only.

Battery

The Code Tutor uses a nine-volt battery (not included). MFJ recommends the use of alkaline (or rechargeable nicad) batteries to reduce the risk of equipment damage from battery leakage. Avoid leaving battery in this unit during periods of extended storage. Battery life will vary depending on usage, so always keep spares on hand. Remove weak battery immediately!

To install a nine-volt battery:

1. Turn off the power to the Tutor.

2. Slide battery cover from back of the Tutor.

3. Remove old battery (if one), and insert the new battery.

4. Slide battery cover back in place, then turn the Tutor on by turning the OFF/Volume control toward the buttons.

Important: Always make sure the power is off b efore removing a nd installing

the battery.

Tone Control

The Tone control allows you to set the sidetone pitch in the range of approximately 300 to 1000 Hz. The sidetone is designed without harsh key clicks. It's a sine wave, inst ead of a harsh squa re wave. Ever y dot and d ash has a rise and decay time of approximately 5 ms for smooth transition. This lets you concentrate on learning code without the distraction of harsh key clicks.

To change the pitch frequency:

1. Turn off the power to the Tutor.

2. Remove the two screws and the box's bottom cover.

3. Locate the small trimpot, between the OFF/Volume control and the headphones jack, on the circuit board.

4. Press and hold all three buttons while turning the power on until there's a beep. Release the buttons to start sending. Adjust the volume if so desired.

5. Using a small flat-headed screwdriver, adjust the pitch by turning the trimpot clockwise to increase pitch and counter-clockwise to decrease pitch.

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MFJ-413/417 Instruction Manual Pocket Morse Code Tutor

The new pitch takes effect after the character in progress is finished. Be very careful not to touch other components on the circuit board.

6. Turn off the power after setting the desired pitch frequency.

7. Secure the battery cable between the post and the side of the box. Make sure the knot of the cable is lo cated on the side of the post closest to the control panel.

8. Re-assemble the box enclosure and secure it with the two screws.

Audio

The Tutor has a 3.5 mm headphones jack for audio output located on the control panel. This jack accepts both stereo and mono plugs.

Operation

When powered on, one of the Tutor's mode is selected. For the MFJ-417, all mode settings are automatically saved into non-volatile memory immediately before playback, ready to use the next time.

While turning the power on, the three button combinations have different functions. These functions/modes are discussed later.

Button1 Power-On

Speed Group Set/Play Operation

Reset all settings.

• Enable Farnsworth mode.

• Enable interactive mode.

• • Enable Farnsworth and interactive modes.

• Instant play.

• • Perform self test.

• • Recall previous/default settings.

• • • Set tone control.

Note:

1. Button pressed and held in while turning the power on is indicated by a dot (•); blank space means the button is not pressed.

Speed Button

The Speed button allows you to set the code speed in the range of 3 to 60 WP M. Word-per-minute speed is based on the standard word "PARIS" which is 50 units in length. For standard timing, dot = 1 unit, dash = 3 units, intra-character space = 1 unit, inter-character space = 3 units, and word space = 7 units. The word "PARIS" is sent 10 times in one minute if the code speed is 10 WPM. Press the Speed button to increase the code speed. Each button press increases the code speed by one WPM and is confirmed with a beep.

SPEED = 3 WPM

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MFJ-413/417 Instruction Manual Pocket Morse Code Tutor

SPEED = 4 WPM

SPEED = 5 WPM

SPEED = 6 WPM

SPEED = 7 WPM

• • •

∑

SPEED = 60 W PM

Code requirement is 5 WPM for the Novice and the Technician. Both General and Advanced levels have a code requirement of 13 WPM. Extra class has a 20 WPM requirement.

Group Button

The Group button adjusts the number of characters for a character group. The options are rand om lengt h group or fixed length gr oup ranging fr om one to eight characters p er gr o up. T he ra nd o m length gene r ate s var ia b le l engt h of up to eight characters per group. This option is only applicable to character sets.

To change the group length, pr ess the Gr oup butt on to incre ase the gro up length. Each button press increases the group length by one character and is confirmed with a beep.

GROUP = RANDOM

GROUP = 1-CHARACTER

GROUP = 2-CHARACTER

GROUP = 3-CHARACTER

GROUP = 4-CHARACTER

GROUP = 5-CHARACTER

GROUP = 6-CHARACTER

GROUP = 7-CHARACTER

(

GROUP = 8-CHARACTER

)

Set/Play Button

The Set/Play button selects one of the characters, words, or QSOs set and plays it using the current settings. To select a set, press the Set/Play button. Each button press selects the next set as listed b elow as the active set and is confirmed with a beep. Playback starts if the button is released for more than one second; therefore, pause between button presses must be less than one second. For example, to play the third set only, press and release the Set/Play button three times. Approximately one second after the last button release, the Tutor starts sending code with the selected set. Holding the Set/Play button down for one second enables the Combine mode (discusses next). At any time during sending or halting for interactive feedback, press and hold the Set/Play button for one second until there's a beep to repeat the current session. Replaying a session allows you to recopy the same code to check your accuracy.

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MFJ-413/417 Instruction Manual Pocket Morse Code Tutor

The Beginner sets are designed for those who don't know code and need to learn the sounds of the characters. When combine mode (discusses next) is not enabled, each Beginner character set is first sent three times as listed, with a word space after each character, then it goes into random practice. This allows the beginner to learn the sound of each character before sending random code.

Beginner Sets:

EISHTMO

AWJNDB

UVGZKRPX

FCLQY

12345

67890

. , ? / + * =

(

letter1

letter2

letter3

letter4 number1 number2

punctuation & p rosigns†

Refer to "Morse Code Character Set" section for the prosigns' meanings.

†

For MFJ-417 Only

. The Advanced sets are meant for those who want to increase code speed and are already familiar with all the characters. The Words set generates random words commonly used in amateur radio from its internal database of 500 different words. The QSOs set sends entire random QSOs (conversations between radio operators) which is the best way to study for a license test because it is the same format as the test!

Advanced Sets:

WORDS

) *

QSOs

random words

random QSOs

Combine Mode

The Combine mode allows the user to combine Beginner sets together as one set. By combining sets, previously learned sets are combined with new sets to reinforce all that you have learned. When on, the current set is combined with all previous Beginner sets. When off, only the current set is selected as the active set. This mode applies only to the Beginner sets, except the first one (letter1 set).

To enable the combine mode, press and hold the Set/Play button for one second until there's a constant beep. Release the button to start sending the combined set. For example, press and release the Set/Play button once; then within one second, press and release the Set/Play button again to play only the second set. Press and release the Set/Play button once; then within one second, press and

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MFJ-413/417 Instruction Manual Pocket Morse Code Tutor hold the Set/Play button for one second to play the combined set of the first two

Beginner sets.

Reset All Settings

When no button is pressed and held in while turning the power on, the Tutor resets all parameter settings to the followings:

• Farnsworth mode Off

• Interactive mode Off

• Combine mode Off

• Speed 3 WPM

• Group Random length

• Set First character set (EISHTMO)

Farnsworth Mode

When Farnsworth mode is enabled, characters (dots, dashes, and intra-character spaces) are sent at the Farnsworth speed (character speed) of 18 WPM, but the spacing between characters and words is increased to produce a slower overall code speed . This techniq ue is useful for helpi ng the novice learn the sounds of the code characters and avoid the tendency of counting individual dots and dashes. The Farnsworth speed is always greater than the overall speed. As a result, Farnsworth mode (if enabled) is automatically disabled when the overall code speed is set to 18 WPM or higher.

To enable the Farnsworth mode, press and hold the Speed button while turning the power on. The Tutor acknowledges with a beep and resumes with normal operation when the button is released.

Interactive Mode

The Interactive mode lets you control when to play a word/QSO, especially useful for beginners. Enabling interactive mode allows you to control when the Tutor will send the next word/QSO or repeat the previous word/QSO (a group of characters considers a word). For example, group length is set to one character per group and interactive mode is enabled, the Tutor will send one character then halt to await your instruction on what to do next. At this point, press the Speed button to send a new character or press the Group button to repeat the character. The Tutor sends code continuously without halting if interactive mode is disabled. To enable the interactive mode, press and hold the Group button while turning the power on. The Tutor acknowledges with a beep and resumes with normal operation when the button is released.

When halt for interactive feedback,

• Speed button Sends next character group, word, or QSO.

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MFJ-413/417 Instruction Manual Pocket Morse Code Tutor

• Group button Repeats previous character group, word, or QSO.

• Set/Play button Sends next character group, word, or QSO.

Instant Play

For MFJ-413 on starts a new session using the default settings listed below. The Tutor acknowledges with a beep and starts playback when the button is released.

• Farnsworth mode Off

• Interactive mode Off

• Combine mode On

• Speed 13 WPM

• Group 5-character per group

• Set All Beginner sets

For MFJ-417 on starts a new session using the previous settings. The Tutor acknowledges with a beep and starts playback when the button is released. This allows you to start playing without re-setting all the modes.

Recall Settings

For MFJ-413 turning the power on resets the Tutor to the default settings except the set parameter. It resets to the first character set, allowing you to select another set for practice using the default settings. This allows you to start a new session with a different set, without adjusting the code speed and group length. The Farnsworth and interactive modes are disabled; the code speed and the group length can be increased starting with the default settings listed below.

• Farnsworth mode Off

• Interactive mode Off

• Combine mode Off

• Speed 13 WPM

• Group 5-character per group

• Set First character set (EISHTMO)

For MFJ-417 turning the power on recalls all previous settings except the set parameter. It resets to the first character set, allowing you to select another set for practice without re-setting the other modes. This allows you to start a new session with a different set, without adjusting the code speed and group length again from the beginning. The Farnsworth and interactive modes are the same as before; the

. Press and hold only the Set/Play button while turning the power

. Press and hold both the Group and the Set/Play buttons while

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MFJ-413/417 Instruction Manual Pocket Morse Code Tutor

code speed and the group length can be increased starting with the previous settings.

Self Test

A Self Test is included to perform testing of the buttons, the non-volatile memory circuitry and integrity, and the audio circuitry. At any time, turn off the power to stop the Self Test; however, power should NOT be turned off during steps involving the non-volatile memory as it could corrupt the memory.

For MFJ-413

. This test is initialized by:

1. Turn off the power to the Tutor.

2. Press and hold both the Speed and the Set/Play buttons while turning the

power on. The Self Test starts by sending the copyright message

"COPYRIGHT 199X MFJ ENTERPRISES, INC. VERSION X.XX"

at 13 WPM confirming the audio circuitry is working properly. Release the buttons before the message is finished .

3. Each button is automatically tested for shorts to ground.

4. Press the Speed button to test it for pro per connection. The Tutor respo nds with a beep. Release the button.

5. Press the Group button to test it for proper connection. The Tutor responds with a beep. Release the button.

6. Press the Set/Play button to test it for proper connection. The Tutor responds with a beep. Release the button within one second.

7. When all is okay, a repetitive message if something is wrong a repetitive message such as

"PASS"

is sent at 13 WPM. However,

"GROUP FAIL"

is sent at a

slower speed of 5 WPM.

8. Turn off the power after confirming the audio has good quality.

Failure Message Meanings:

SPEED FAIL

•

GROUP FAIL

•

SET FAIL

•

Speed button is shorted or improperly connected. Group button is shorted or improperly connected. Set/Play button is shorted or improperly connected.

For MFJ-417

. This test is initialized by:

1. Turn off the power to the Tutor.

2. Press and hold both the Speed and the Set/Play buttons while turning the power on. The Self Test starts by sending the copyright message

"COPYRIGHT 199X MFJ ENTERPRISES, INC. VERSION X.XX"

at 13 WPM confirming the audio circuitry is working properly. Release the buttons before the message is finished .

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MFJ-413/417 Instruction Manual Pocket Morse Code Tutor

3. Each button is automatically tested for shorts to ground.

4. Press the Speed button to test it for pro per connection. The Tutor respo nds with a beep. Release the button.

5. Press the Group button to test it for proper connection. The Tutor responds with a beep. Release the button.

6. Press and hold the Set/Play button for one second. The Tutor responds with two beeps. Release the button. If the button is released before the second beep, the next three steps are skipped.

7. It then automatically tests the logic line Vpp (shown on the schematic).

8. T he non-volatile memory circuitry is automatically tested. Notice this step resets the Tutor to its factory default settings for Instant Play.

9. The non-volatile memory integrity is automatically tested.

10. When all is okay, a repetitive message if something is wrong a repetitive message such as

"PASS"

is sent at 13 WPM. However,

"GROUP FAIL"

is sent at a

slower speed of 5 WPM.

11. Turn off the power after confirming the audio has good quality.

Failure Message Meanings:

SPEED FAIL

•

GROUP FAIL

•

SET FAIL

•

VPP FAIL

•

EEPROM FAIL

•

MEMORY FAIL

•

Speed button is shorted or improperly connected. Group button is shorted or improperly connected. Set/Play button is shorted or improperly connected. Logic line Vpp is not pulled low by a resistor. Non-volatile memory circuitry is improperly connected. Non-volatile memory integrity is bad.

Factory Default Settings:

• Farnsworth mode Off

• Interactive mode Off

• Combine mode On

• Speed 13 WPM

• Group 5-character per group

• Set All Beginner sets

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MFJ-413/417 Instruction Manual Pocket Morse Code Tutor

Troubleshooting

Q. Why is there no beep when I press the buttons?

A. The battery is probably dead, replace it with a new one.

Q. Why is the sidetone changing during playback?

A. The battery is weak, replace it with a new one.

Technical Assistance

If you have any problem with this unit first check the appropriate section of this manual. If the manual does not reference your problem or your problem is not solved by reading the manual you may call MFJ Technical Service at 601-323- 0549 or the MFJ Factory at 601-323-5869. You will be best helped if you have your unit, manual and all information on your statio n handy so you can answer any questions the technicians may ask.

You can also send questions by mail to MFJ Enterprises, Inc., 300 Industrial Park Road, Starkville, MS 39759; by Facsimile to 601-323-6551; or by email to techinfo@mfjenterprises.com. Send a complete description of your problem, an explanation of exactly how you are using your unit, and a complete description of your station.

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MFJ-413/417 Instruction Manual Pocket Morse Code Tutor

Morse Code Character Set

A di-dah B dah-di-di-dit C dah-di-dah-dit D dah-di-dit E dit F di-di-dah-dit G dah-dah-dit H di-di-di-dit I di-dit J di-dah-dah-dah K dah-di-dah L di-dah-di-dit M dah-dah

−

N dah-dit

•

−

O dah-dah-dah

•••

−•−

P di-dah-dah-dit

•

−

Q dah-dah-di-dah

••

R di-dah-dit

•

S di-di-dit

••−•

−−

T dah −

•

U di-di-dah

••••

V di-di-di-dah

••

−−−

W di-dah-dah

•

−•−

X dah-di-di-dah

Y dah-di-dah-dah

•−••

−−

Z dah-dah-di-dit

1 di-dah-dah-dah-dah 2 di-di-dah-dah-dah 3 di-di-di-dah-dah 4 di-di-di-di-dah 5 di-di-di-di-dit

−−−−

6 dah-di-di-di-dit

•

−−−

7 dah-dah-di-di-dit

••

−−

8 dah-dah-dah-di-dit

•••

−

9 dah-dah-dah-dah-dit

••••

0 dah-dah-dah-dah-dah

•••••

Period [.] di-dah-di-dah-di-dah Comma [,] dah-dah-di-di-dah-dah

•−•−•

−−••−−

Question Ma rk or Request for Repetition [?] di-di-dah-dah-di-dit Fraction Bar [/] dah-di-di-dah-dit End of Message or Cross [+] di-dah-di-dah-dit End of Work [*] di-di-di-dah-di-dah Double Dash, Pause or Break [=] dah-di-di-di-dah

••−−••

−••−

•−•−•

•••−•

−

•••

•

−

Note:

1. FCC tes tin g r equ ire ment co nsis ts th e 26 let t ers , t he 1 0 n umer als , t he p er iod , t he c omma , t he que st ion mar k, AR, SK, BT and

fraction bar [DN].

−

•

−−−

•−−•

−−•−

•−•

•••

−

••

−

•••

−−

•

−••−

−•−−

−−

••

−

••••

−−

•••

−−−

••

−−−−

•

−−−−−

−

AAA MIM

IMI DN AR SK BT

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MFJ-413/417 Instruction Manual Pocket Morse Code Tutor

Some CW Abbreviations

73 Best regards NR Number; near 88 Love and kisses NW Now ABT About OM Old man AGN Again OP Operator ANT Antenna R Are; received; roger BK Back; break RCVR Receiver CPY Copy RIG Station equipment CQ Calling any station RITE Right CUL See you later RST Readability, strength, tone report CU See you SIGS Signals DE From SKED Schedule DEG Degree STN Station DX Distance; rare station TEMP Temperature ES And; "&" TKS Thanks FB Fine business; excellent TNK Thank FER For TNX Thanks FREQ Frequency UR Your; you're; you are GA Good afternoon U You GE Good evening WL Well; will GM Good morning WTS Watts GN Good night WX Weather HR Hear; here XCVR Transceiver HW How XMTR Transmitter K Go ahe ad XYL Wife ( ex-young-lady) MSG Message YL Young lady

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MFJ-413/417 Instruction Manual Pocket Morse Code Tutor

Meaning of Q Signals

QRA The name of my station is QRL Do not interfere, Frequency busy QRM Being interfered with QRN Static QRO Increase power, High power QRP Decrease power, Low power QRQ Send faster QRR I am ready for automatic operation QRS Send more slowly QRT Stop sending QRU I have nothing for you QRX I will call again at ..., wait QRZ Who is calling me, I am QSB Your signal is fading QSD Your keying is defective QSK I can hear you between my signals QSL I am acknowledging receipt QSU Reply on this frequency or mode QSX I am listening to ... on ... kHz QSY Change frequency, change to xmit on ... kHz QTH My location (home) is QTR The correct time is QTS I will send so my frequency can be measured QUB Here is the info you requested QUM The distress traffic has ended

Send a "?" after a Q signal to ask for information or an action.

Example: QRZ: station (call) is .... QRZ?: what is your station (call)?

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MFJ-413/417 Instruction Manual Pocket Morse Code Tutor

SettingSaver

Chart

Copy this chart and use it to record your settings.

Farnsworth Mode

Interactive Mode Combine Mode

On ο Off

On ο Off Code Speed _____________ WPM Group Length _____________Char.

Set __________________________ Farnsworth Mode

Interactive Mode Combine Mode

On ο Off

On ο Off Code Speed _____________ WPM Group Length _____________Char.

Set __________________________ Farnsworth Mode

Interactive Mode Combine Mode

On ο Off

On ο Off Code Speed _____________ WPM Group Length _____________Char.

Set __________________________ Farnsworth Mode

Interactive Mode Combine Mode

On ο Off

On ο Off Code Speed _____________ WPM Group Length _____________Char.

Set __________________________ Farnsworth Mode

Interactive Mode Combine Mode

On ο Off

On ο Off Code Speed _____________ WPM Group Length _____________Char.

Set __________________________

Farnsworth Mode Interactive Mode Combine Mode Code Speed _____________ WPM

Group Length _____________Char. Set _________________________