🎹 Morse Code Paddle Decoder - Cross-Platform

Real-time Morse code decoder with beautiful GUI

✅ Works on Linux, Windows, and macOS

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🌟 Features

• Beautiful GUI with adjustable WPM (5-40) and frequency (300-1000 Hz)
• Real-time decoding of paddle inputs via MIDI
• Audio feedback with adjustable tone
• Visual indicators showing paddle status
• Cross-platform - runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS
• Full Morse code support - all letters, numbers, and punctuation

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Debian Linux / Linux Mint

/etc/udev/rules.d/49-digispark.rules

# Digispark ATtiny85
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="16d0", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0753", MODE:="0666"
KERNEL=="ttyACM*", ATTRS{idVendor}=="16d0", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0753", MODE:="0666", ENV{ID_MM_DEVICE_IGNORE}="1"

# Digispark ATtiny167
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="16d0", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0753", MODE:="0666"

📦 Quick Start by Platform

🐧 Linux

See: BUILD_LINUX.md

🪟 Windows

See: BUILD_WINDOWS.md

🍎 macOS

See: BUILD_MACOS.md

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🔌 Hardware Setup (All Platforms)

Required Hardware:

• ATtiny85 Digispark board
• Iambic paddle or straight key
• USB cable

Wiring:

ATtiny85 Pin 2 (P2)  →  LEFT paddle (Dit)
ATtiny85 Pin 0 (P0)  →  RIGHT paddle (Dah)
ATtiny85 GND         →  Paddle common ground

Programming the ATtiny85:

1. Install Arduino IDE (available for all platforms)
2. Add Digispark board support:
   • File → Preferences → Additional Board Manager URLs
   • Add: [http://digistump.com/package_digistump_index.json](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/digistump/arduino-boards-index/master/package_digistump_index.json)
3. Tools → Board → Board Manager → Install "Digistump AVR Boards"
4. Install DigiMIDI library (Sketch → Include Library → Manage Libraries) https://github.com/heartscrytech/DigisparkMIDI
5. Open paddle_decoder.ino
6. Tools → Board → Digispark (Default - 16.5mhz)
7. Sketch → Upload (plug in Digispark when prompted)

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🚀 Building and Running

All Platforms - General Steps:

1. Install Rust (if not installed):

   # Visit https://rustup.rs and follow instructions for your platform

2. Install platform-specific dependencies (see platform guides above)

3. Build the application:

   cd paddle_decoder_cross_platform
   cargo build --release

4. Run it:

   cargo run --release

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🎮 Using the GUI

Visual Interface:

Main Interface:

In Action:

Controls:

• Drag WPM slider - Adjust speed (5-40 WPM)
• Drag Frequency slider - Change tone (300-1000 Hz)
• Click "Add Space" - Insert space in decoded text
• Click "Clear Text" - Reset decoded text

Visual Feedback:

• 🔴 RED - Paddle currently pressed
• ⚪ GRAY - Paddle released
• 🔵 BLUE - Current sequence (dots/dashes)
• 🟢 GREEN - Decoded text

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⏱️ Timing Information

At 20 WPM:

• Dit: 60ms
• Dah: 180ms (3× dit)
• Letter gap: 300ms (5× dit) - triggers character decode
• Word gap: 420ms (7× dit)

The decoder waits 300ms after your last paddle press to decode the character. This gives you comfortable timing between elements!

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🔧 Troubleshooting

Common Issues (All Platforms):

No MIDI device found:

• Check Digispark is plugged in
• Verify LED blinks 5 times on startup
• Check if paddle_decoder.ino is uploaded

No sound:

• Check system volume
• Test with other audio applications
• Verify audio output device is selected

Characters decoding wrong:

• Timing issue - try adjusting WPM slider
• Make sure to pause 300ms between letters

Platform-Specific Issues:

See platform-specific build guides:

• Linux: BUILD_LINUX.md
• Windows: BUILD_WINDOWS.md
• macOS: BUILD_MACOS.md

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📚 Morse Code Reference

Letters:

A .-    J .---   S ...
B -...  K -.-    T -
C -.-.  L .-..   U ..-
D -..   M --     V ...-
E .     N -.     W .--
F ..-.  O ---    X -..-
G --.   P .--.   Y -.--
H ....  Q --.-   Z --..
I ..    R .-.

Numbers:

0 -----    5 .....
1 .----    6 -....
2 ..---    7 --...
3 ...--    8 ---..
4 ....-    9 ----.

Punctuation:

.  .-.-.-   ?  ..--..
,  --..--   !  -.-.--
/  -..-.    @  .--.-.

Prosigns (Special Sequences):

<BK> -..-.-   Break (pause in transmission)
<AR> .-.-.    End of message
<BT> -...-    Break text / new paragraph (same as "=")
<SK> ...-.-   End of contact / Silent Key

Note: Prosigns are sent without gaps between the elements (as one continuous sequence).
Note: <BT> and = share the same Morse pattern (-...-), so the decoder shows = for this pattern.

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🎯 Tips for Best Results

1. Start slow - Begin at 15 WPM and work your way up
2. Consistent timing - Try to maintain steady rhythm
3. Clear pauses - Wait full 300ms between letters
4. Watch indicators - Visual feedback helps build muscle memory
5. Practice common letters - Start with E, T, I, A, N, M

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📝 Project Structure

paddle_decoder_cross_platform/
├── Cargo.toml              # Rust project configuration
├── paddle_decoder.ino      # ATtiny85 firmware
├── src/
│   └── main.rs            # Main application
├── README.md              # This file
├── BUILD_LINUX.md         # Linux build guide
├── BUILD_WINDOWS.md       # Windows build guide
└── BUILD_MACOS.md         # macOS build guide

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🤝 Contributing

This is an open-source project for the amateur radio community. Feel free to:

• Report bugs
• Suggest features
• Submit pull requests
• Share your improvements

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📜 License

Free for amateur radio and educational use.

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🆘 Support

Having issues?

1. Check the platform-specific build guide
2. Review troubleshooting section above
3. Verify hardware connections
4. Test with provided diagnostics

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73! 📻

Happy decoding!

Built with ❤️ for the amateur radio community