PreppComm MMX ZERO User manual

MMX ZERO

Morse Code

Decoder/Encoder!

REFERENCE MANUAL

By Eric C Anderson

PreppComm

Version 1.1, July 2023

Page 2

Morse Made Easy™

MMX ZERO

Morse Code Decoder/Encoder!

REFERENCE MANUAL

By Eric C Anderson

PreppComm

Version 1.1, July 2023

Page 3

Page 4

Table of Contents 
Overview" #----------------------------------------------------------------------------7
Warranty and Cautions" #-------------------------------------------------------------9
1 Important Notice: Things Not Covered by the Warranty" #............................9
2 The Elephant(s) In The Room" #......................................................................9
3. Getting Started... Quickly" #.........................................................................10
Getting Acquainted" #---------------------------------------------------------------11
Setup with your External Transceiver" #--------------------------------------------13
Power On Walk Through" #----------------------------------------------------------14
Menus" #------------------------------------------------------------------------------17
1 Local Station Setup" #...................................................................................18
2 Typing Speed" #............................................................................................19
3 Microprogramming" #....................................................................................21
Keyboard Controls" #----------------------------------------------------------------23
1 Receive Mode Keyboard Commands" #.......................................................23
2 Decoder Mode Control Keys" #....................................................................24
3 Gain Control Keys" #.....................................................................................25
4 Editing Keys" #..............................................................................................25
8 Function keys" #............................................................................................26
9 Miscellaneous Receive Mode Controls" #.....................................................26
10 Transmit Keyboard Controls" #....................................................................26
Decoder Operation" #----------------------------------------------------------------29
1 HCW Mode" #................................................................................................29
2 CTX Mode" #.................................................................................................31
3 Switching Modes" #......................................................................................31
4 Tuning a Station" #........................................................................................31
5 Setting up your transceiver" #.......................................................................33
CALLING" #---------------------------------------------------------------------------37
2 General Calling" #..........................................................................................37
3 Setting Transmit Speed" #.............................................................................38
4 Setting a New Default Transmit Speed" #.....................................................39
5 The CALL Sequence" #.................................................................................39
6 Setting Up a Directed Call" #.........................................................................40
Copyright © 2023 PreppComm
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7 Three Ways For Establishing a CCS" #.........................................................40
8 What Happens After You CALL?" #...............................................................42
ANSWERING" #----------------------------------------------------------------------43
1 The ANSwer Validate and ANSwer Microprogram" #..................................44
2 The ANSwer Validate Component" #...........................................................44
3 The ANSwer Start Component" #...............................................................45
4 The Pop-Up Type-Ahead Buﬀer" #..............................................................46
5 Sending Your Message" #...........................................................................47
6 The ANSwer Ending Component" #............................................................48
7 The INFO Microprogram" #.........................................................................48
8 What Happens After an ANSwer?" #...........................................................49
Appendix I: Pro-Signs and No-Signs" #-------------------------------------------50
Appendix II: Special Characters" #-------------------------------------------------51
Appendix IV: Terminology" #--------------------------------------------------------53
Appendix V: RPL and User Microprograms" #------------------------------------55
1 Introduction" #.............................................................................................55
2 The Built-In Microprograms" #....................................................................55
3 Microprogram Types" #...............................................................................56
4 RPL Control Characters" #..........................................................................57
5 Built-in Microprogram Review" #.................................................................60
6 Inserting Into a Running CALL or ANS Microprogram" #............................62
7 The Microprogram Editor" #........................................................................62
8 Microprogram Help" #.................................................................................65
9 Some Examples" #......................................................................................66
10 The Starter Set" #......................................................................................67
Appendix VI: Keyboard and RPL Command Layouts" #--------------------------68
Appendix VII: Common CW Abbreviations" #-------------------------------------74
Appendix VIII: The Tuning Rule Graphically Explained" #-------------------------76
Appendix IX: Alternate USB Keyboards" #-----------------------------------------78
Wiring the 3.5 mm Jacks"---------------------------------------------------------79
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Copyright © 2023 PreppComm

1. Overview

Congratulations for purchasing the new MMX ZERO Morse Code Decoder/Encoder! The MMX

ZERO was created to provide a texting interface to the user for operating on CW, making

communications via Morse code similar to texting on a modern smartphone: simple, easy, and fun!

It also provides a fantastic platform for learning Morse Code, should the operator have the interest in

doing so. And by the way, learning it even if you don’t want to. The learning happens when you have

QSO’s automatically.#

The ZERO is easy to operate, due to its graphical user interface, presented on a 3.5" color

touchscreen display. In addition, an included USB/PS2 keyboard is utilized to provide text input as

well as control functions.#

While the device can be seen as a simple tool for non-technical operators, it also includes many

advanced features often not found in much more expensive equipment:#

1. Automatic code speed setting: transmitter speed set from received code speed#

2. Hyper-active tone extractor and powerful digital ﬁlter to extract text in high-noise situations,

with extreme noise immunity. The decoder can copy fading signals you can’t hear under the

noise!#

3. Super selective decoder (160 Hz wide sensitivity) without audio ﬁltering - you hear full 100 -

10,000 Hz audio, but the decoder only hears a tiny slice around the set tone frequency,

approximately 1220-1380 Hz.#

4. Automatic capture of remote station call letters. I love this one!#

5. Built-in typing speed calibration to limit transmit speed to your comfortable speed, to prevent

starving the transmitter while transmitting because the other station can send Morse faster

than you can type Morse#

6. 76 character type-ahead pop-up buﬀer for keeping ahead of the transmitter and correcting

mistakes before they go out, including an automatic station ID to give you time to get ahead

of the transmitter at the beginning#

7. Built-in microprograms for calling, answering, and sending information (CALL, ANS, and

INFO)#

8. 12 User deﬁnable microprograms for customizing operational modes and messages, using a

powerful microprogramming language#

9. Full function microprogram editor#

10. Word wrap display for easy reading of incoming and outgoing text.#

Thus, for the more advanced user, the MMX ZERO can provide an excellent choice for enabling or

enhancing their CW communication. It can also easily be placed into an EMP protective container for

the purpose of having it available in case of an EMP event, as well. We oﬀer the Transceiver EMP

Bundle for this purpose.#

Using the Reference Manual

The manual is written sequentially for you to go through and learn how to use your transceiver. It is

also designed as a reference manual, by including all relevant information under any given topic.#

Page 7

Several Appendices are provided at the end of the manual with keyboard layout diagrams and other

tables that can be copied or printed out to use to support the learning process. Also a terminology

appendix is included in case you need help with any terms you don’t understand.#

Under the Hood

For those of you with technical interest, the MMX is based on a triple-processor real-time multi-

tasking system architecture. A complex dance of real-time interaction between three interrupt-

driven real-time processors makes the magic of the MMX possible.#

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2. Warranty and Cautions

The one year warranty for this unit is against defects in material and workmanship for a period of one

year. The software is provided “as is.” Occasional software updates will be provided, but due to the

triple processor architecture, the MMX must be returned to the factory for software updates.#

2.1 Important Notice: Things Not Covered by the Warranty!

3. Carefully align and plug connectors - do not force. The side mounted USB and audio

connectors are mounted on the surface of the front printed circuit board. They can be broken oﬀ

from the circuit board if excessive force is used when plugging in a cable. This type of damage

is not covered by the warranty. Our upgraded cabinet holds the connectors tightly, and should

prevent any accidental damage.%

4. Do not scratch or gouge the touch screen with a sharp object. The touch screen is not like

the capacitive touch screen on your cell phone, but rather a less expensive resistive touch panel.

This means it requires a little more force, and that there is a thin plastic layer with invisible wires

over the glass. It can be cut with sharp objects, which will disable all or part of the touch

function. Also, too much pressure on the screen can crack the glass, which can also cause

touch failure and ultimately LCD failure. Use a rounded tip or eraser end of a pencil if you want to

avoid ﬁngerprints. Use the included microﬁber cloth to clean oﬀﬁngerprints. You can also

create microprograms to replace pressing some of the buttons on the Main Screen if you wish so

they can be accessed directly from your keyboard. Finally, use the lid provided to protect the

front panel and LCD when not in use. Physical damage to the front panel, such as damaged

LCD, or damaged LED’s is not covered under the warranty.!

5. Take care how you run the keyboard cable. The keyboard cable can act as an antenna and

pick up RF from your transmitter, especially if you have RF in the shack. A low SWR antenna

with a good ground or a balanced antenna with a 1:1 Balun will eliminate most RF in the shack

problems.#

2.2 The Elephant(s) In The Room#

The Big Elephant: 1300 Hz. Yup, you heard that right. Or maybe you didn’t hear it if you have

hearing problems. The ZERO does NOT decode your favorite 600 or 650 Hz tone on CW. It operates

at about twice the usual frequency This can be hard to get used to. In addition, setting up your

transceiver for 1300 Hz operation is diﬀerent than you expect. We have a blog on how to do it for an

IC-7300 on the website. Locate the Blog menu item along the top of the home page, and click. You

will see several blogs. Scroll until you see the IC-7300 image. That’s the one. Here is the link if you

are reading this on PDF:#

https://www.preppcomm.com/blogs/news/setting-up-an-icom-7300-for-1300-hz-tones#

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Follow this example for your own transceiver. And order our External Transceiver Cable Assembly

if you have not done so already. It will make connecting the ZERO to your rig easy, and look great in

your shack. A MMX/DMX Stand is also a good choice as it holds the ZERO at 45° so it is easier to

read.#

The Second Elephant in the room is ... experience. While we may Morse easy, we don’t make

learning CW easy. CW is a lot of things besides just the code. CW is about frequencies, methods,

operating styles, abbreviations, and much more. Once you learn it, you can quickly tune around the

band, and know when you are receiving a fellow amateur or hearing a digital transmission that is

decoded as gibberish. Also there is some expertise you will gain over time on adjusting the decoder

gain, and the receiver frequency, determining which of the two sides of the signal you are on, and

selecting the correct one. And being aware of band conditions, which are related to time of day,

sunspots, and other factors. Do not be disappointed if you don’t make any contact on your ﬁrst try!

Patience and practice are very important.#

One other thing: this one messed me up when I started. There are stations on there that are actually

transmitting what appears to be random junk. It is not random junk, it is data, sent via Morse Code.

Best way to start is to call CQ or listen for someone calling CQ. Don’t be fooled into thinking the

decoder is not working by a data station!#

If you have a buddy across town, or across the valley that does CW, that is a great way to start.

That way, you can learn the ropes with someone you can talk to over the phone if things are not

working the way you expected. So, initially, ﬁnding a local ham operator with Morse code

experience, or someone with an MMX, ZERO or DMX-40 of their own to get some on-the-air

experience with is an excellent way to gain conﬁdence and experience.#

2.3. Getting Started... Quickly#

We have provided a Quick Start Guide (separate ﬁle) to enable you to get started quickly with your new

transceiver. We recommend using that as a starting point, and then using this Reference Manual to ﬁll in the

gaps in your knowledge of the various functions and features that are not covered in the Guide. We have

included many cross links within the document, as well as Table of Contents links and a back link at the top of

every page to get you back to the Table of Contents with a single click. This greatly enhances exploring the

contents of the manual.#

As mentioned before, there are a number of appendices that you should check out early on. We recommend

you print out the keyboard command charts, for example, to have next to you as you are learning how to use

the various features of your new transceiver. At ﬁrst, that might seem to be a daunting task, but practice a

little, and it will become second nature.#

As always, we love to hear from our customers, so if you have questions, comments, or suggestions, please

use the Contact Us page on our website:#

https://PreppComm.com

You can also get help from the PreppComm Community at:#

http://PreppComm.mn.co

Page 10

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