Morse Decoder Tools

Overview

You do not need to read Morse by ear to receive a payload. Several free tools decode the keying automatically - useful for verifying payloads on the bench and for confirming a real transmission contains the expected name and coordinates.

Decoding Methods

Method	Tool	Best for
SDR audio decode	SDR# plugin “CW decoder” or “Digital Voice”	Live waterfall decode
Phone app	Morse decoder apps (record and decode)	Field checks
Desktop decoder	fldigi, CWGet, MultiMorse	Precise timing analysis
Online	Web Morse decoders (paste audio file)	Occasional use
By eye on waterfall	See the blips yourself	Instant verification

The fldigi Path

fldigi is a free ham-radio digital mode program with a solid CW decoder:

1. Connect the SDR audio (or a phone recording) to the PC input.
2. Open fldigi, select CW mode.
3. Set the center frequency so the tone sits near 1000 Hz.
4. Start the decoder and watch text appear.

Decoding With a Phone

1. Record the beacon audio with the phone’s recorder.
2. Open any Morse decoder app and load the recording.
3. Adjust the WPM setting to match the beacon (13 WPM default).
4. Read the decoded text.

Timing Reality Check

The firmware uses PARIS-standard timing with unit duration 1200 / WPM ms. At 13 WPM a dot is 92 ms. Decoders configured for the wrong WPM still decode but produce characters slowly; set 13 WPM for the default configuration.

What the Payload Should Look Like

Configuration	Decoded text
Base only	SOS
Name only	SOS DE MARIO ROSSI
GPS only	SOS PSN N4553 E01230
Full	SOS DE MARIO ROSSI PSN N4553 E01230

See GPS Integration for the coordinate format.

Related Pages

• SDR Listening Guide
• Reading CW by Ear
• Morse Code Engine
• GPS Integration