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Morse Code Data and Ham Radio

Ever tune across the HF bands and wonder just how many Morse code operators are on the air at that moment? Thanks to WW5TH’s ingenious setup that reads directly from the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN), you can see it in near real time. The RBN’s worldwide network of “skimmers” automatically decodes CW signals, giving a fascinating snapshot of CW activity across the globe.

 Pat wrote the code up here and you can find the latest data here.

Here's an example from this morning.

Screen capture showing current Morse code activity spots from the Reverse Beacon Network, CW operators from W5WWTH’s analysis tool.


This quick visualization from W5WTH shows how data from the Reverse Beacon Network can reveal real-time CW activity. It’s a great way to see where the bands are hopping and how propagation changes minute by minute. Check out Pat’s GitHub for code details, and watch the data to spot when Morse action is hopping.

Want to dive deeper? Try building your own CW dashboard from RBN data using Chat GPT, or explore similar projects in ReverseBeacon.net and Parks on the Air to see who’s calling CQ near you.

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