"W1SDM" wrote in
oups.com:

Hello,

I am in the process of writing a program that will be available via the
Internet, which will generate random QSO's similar to those on the
Morse Code exam.

Since I haven't taken the test yet, I only have some examples from
websites that I have found using a google search. I am not sure how old
the examples I am looking at are, so I don't know if the "style" of the
exams has changed. Also, I have seen some "example" questions that will
be asked concerning the QSO, and I don't know if there is a question
"pool" available somewhere.

Could someone who is VERY familiar with the exams take a look at
http://www.mindformation.com/cgi-bin/qso_generator.pl and see if the
QSO's that are generated resemble those in "real life?" Once you are on
that page, you can reload the page or "click" on the word "Create" at
the bottom of the page, to create another QSO.

Right now all that page does is generate a random QSO using the
information I have available to me at this time.

Should more and or different information be presented?

Here is a list of questions (obvious ones) that I have so far that
could be used as the "pool" of questions (10 questions would be
randomly selected) :
-------------------------------------------------------
What is the callsign of the station being called?
What is the callsign of the calling station?
What is the name of the operator being called?
What is the name of the calling operator?
What is the calling operators job?
In what city did the transmitting operator live?
In what state did the transmitting operator live?
What kind of antenna are they using?
How high is the antenna?
How old is the transmitting operator?
What is the transmitting power level?
What brand of radio did the operator have?
What model of radio did the operator have?
What was the weather described as?
-------------------------------------------------------

Once the program is completed it will generate a random QSO, create and
embed an .mp3 file of the QSO in Morse Code, and display a list of
questions about the QSO on a web page. After the questions are answered
you will be shown the text of the QSO to see if you got 25 characters
in a row, just in case you didn't answer at least 7 questions
correctly.

This is my attempt to create something as close as possible to what
you(I) will actually experience when taking the Morse Code exam, so
you(I) can be comfortable with the process before actually taking the
test.

So, any advice, hints, thoughts, suggestions, let me know. You may
reply here or send me email.

Thanks!

--
Tom Green
helgapataki((a t))yahoo.com
W1SDM


It sounds to me like you have it all covered. One extra thing you can do
is just have it send random words for about four or five minutes, then
people can check their copy with what was sent.

Also, make sure it can send code up to 20 to 25 wpm. Some people might
want to practice to be real hams.

SC