VBand - Ham Radio Solutions

Welcome to VBand, the internet Virtual CW Band.

Click a channel below to get started.

Check out our new stand-alone CW device: CW Hotline

Touch/Tap for Straight Key

Touch/Tap for Dits

Touch/Tap for Dahs

First set your channel from the Channel List

Channel Name: Private Disable Decode
SendLog:

Callsign/Name:

Mode:

Flip Paddle
Enable QSOBot
Auto Character Spacing
Enable Touch Pads
Same Tone for all
Use Mouse Buttons (not usually recommended)
Debug Timing (when working with our team)
Show Timing Stats
Learn more about CW Hotline

USB Paddle Interface

The USB paddle interface allows sending with an actual paddle or straight key instead of the computer keyboard. The adapter connects to a computer with an included mini USB cable, and has a 3.5mm TRS jack for the paddle / straight key connection. It has been tested on Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Android.

The price is $25 USD plus shipping. Choose US or international shipping. International shipping includes CA, EU, UK, IN, MX, JP, PH, and AU. All other shipping destinations please contact us before ordering.

Wiring Information - Wiring your key or paddle for use with the VBand Paddle Interface is the same as for a keyer or radio. You need a cable with a male 3.5mm (⅛”) 3-conductor stereo TRS connector on one end and whatever connectors are appropriate for your key/paddle on the other. For use with a straight key, connect the tip to one side of the key, the sleeve to the other and leave the ring unconnected. For use with a paddle, connect the tip to the “dit” connection, the ring to the “dah” connection, and the sleeve or ground connector to the common.
Troubleshooting - The adapter works by simulating pressing left and right control keys on a keyboard. Under Windows, you may need to disable Stickykeys if it is configured to work with control keys. If you hear the USB disconnect sound when you use the key, please contact us.
YouTube Video - Charlie "Red" Brown, NJ7V, has published a YouTube video about VBand. Check it out here.
Charging cables - Some USB cables do not support data and can only be used for charging. The USB adapter requires a data cable to function.
Important Notice - The VBand Paddle Interface is designed to be used with conventional straight keys and paddles. Compatibility with external keyers or electronic paddles is not guaranteed. Also note that use of a Y adapter to connect your key to your rig and the VBand Paddle Interface at the same time may result in damage to one or both devices.

Contact Us

We welcome all feedback from our users: questions, comments, suggestions, complaints, and praise.
You can email us at [email protected].
You can also reach us, along with many other vband users, on our Discord Server.

Quickstart

Set your callsign and/or name, and any other options you prefer on the Settings tab.
Click a channel on the Channels tab to connect to that channel.
In paddle mode, use the [ key for dits and the ] key for dahs.
In straight key mode, use either of those keys to send.
Left and right control keys can be used in place of the [ key and the ] key.
The text box in the second tab can be used as a scratch pad to copy what you hear.
To interface an actual paddle or straight key, check out our USB Paddle Interface on the Store tab.

Notes

Channel & Users - For all channels except the Practice Channel, the Channel tab shows all users connected to that channel, and code any user sends will be sent to all other users in that channel. You can mute other users by clicking the blue speaker icon in the upper right corner. On channels that allow decoding, you can show or hide the decoded text by clicking the blue "A" icon.
Practice Channel - The practice channel does not send your code beyond your computer. It can be used to practice sending and see how well you are decoded.
Words Per Minute - The WPM shown for each user consists of 2 numbers. The first is the speed of the characters sent. The second is the effective overall speed considering any additional Farnsworth delay between characters.
Website focus - The VBand website must be in focus to send. If you click on a different tab or window, the adapter and your key presses will not be read.
Recommned Browsers - We have had the most success with Chrome. Firefox is also known to work well. Internet Explorer is not recommended.

QSOBot

Overview - QSOBot is a new feature of VBand. To enable it go to the settings menu and then click the "Enable QSOBot" checkbox. Once the checkbox is enabled, QSOBot will respond in the practice channel. Simply call CQ or send something to activate. QSOBot will respond and carry on a standard QSO. Please provide feedback to [email protected] so that we can continue to improve it.
Exchanges - QSOBot will react to the common exchanges used in a QSO. It will expect RST, Name (OP), and QTH. If you don't supply these, QSOBot will ask for them. Once these are completed you can feel free to engage QSOBot and tell it what Rig, Antenna, Weather, and temperature you have. It will respond to a 73 any time and close the QSO and reset. It will also initiate its own close if you provide all the aforementioned information. It is intended to be a practice exchange where you can hone your sending and receiving.
Resetting - To reset QSOBot, simply call CQ with your callsign.

Troubleshooting

No audio on Safari - When you are on the VBand site, select the menu item Safari > Settings for This Website... and change "Auto-Play: Stop Media with Sound" to "Allow All Auto-Play". Click on the background web page, and refresh the page with View > Reload Page or CMD + R. When the page is reloaded, it should play sounds.
Latency Issues - On some systems, there can be a noticeable delay between pressing a key, and hearing the sound from the speaker. This delay is due to the press being sent over USB, the Javascript code processing the press in the browser, and the sound system buffering. If this delay is a problem, we recommend closing all other applications and browser tabs, and anything else that can reduce CPU load. Try disabling Bluetooth headphones. Try to avoid using HDMI for sound. If that doesn't help, you can use an external keyer with a sidetone generator, switch to straight key mode, and mute your own audio in VBand by clicking the blue speaker icon for your user.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I leave a channel? - Typically you leave a channel by selecting a new channel to join. You can also leave by refreshing the website.

Links to useful sites

VBand - Virtual CW Band by Ham Radio Solutions - Version Apr 19, 2023

This project was created by two friends who wanted to (re)learn CW, but didn't regularly have great propagation between them to practice, and were a bit embarrased to get on the air at their current skill level. While it allows code to be sent with a keyboard as either a paddle or straight key, it really shines using the USB paddle interface available in the Store tab.

The goal was to make a fun way to practice sending and receiving CW with a buddy, without worrying about a radio, an antenna, a license, good propagation, or RF noise.

Please send and comments, questions, or suggestions to [email protected].

Join our Discord Server!