Kanga Products FMT MK4 User manual

FMT MK4 Instructions Rev 10 Page 1 30/9/2023
FMT MK4 Feature rich CW Trainer
This is new version of the FISTS Morse tutor
project, this time after many requests it is
offered as a cased kit. I addition a number of
new features have been added too.
Now the FMT will support BOTH Paddle and
Straight keys in practice mode and an
additional fixed low level SINEWAVE output
is provided. This output can be connected to
a PC for use in a number of ways, the first is
when its used with a software package such
as CWGet, FLdigi etc you can check your own
sending in practice mode, the FMT does NOT
have a Morse decoder built in but this way you can see how good (or Bad!) your sending really is.
Another useful use for this output is to use the practice oscillator over Zoom or other internet streaming
type services.
The kit is easy to build and due to coming with pre-punched front and back panels a better finished
product is assured (no more cutting out holes for the large LCD display)
Designed originally for the FISTS CW Club this tutor offers a wide range of features that you will find
hard to beat. The FMT Now has had a BIG addition to its feature list, it now has all the tutor features you
would expect but also as a 39 lesson Koch trainer built in too, I believe that this is the best way to learn
the code and is great for someone completely new to this mode.
Of course you also get all the original FMT Tutors features.
The Standard tutor modes are:
Random Letters, Random Numbers and Mixed Modes which is the standard from the old type of tutors,
but this tutor also much more;
Random Prosigns, Random Callsigns, Random common words and abbreviations, Contest mode (More
on that later) and even a practice oscillator (Straight key, Iambic paddle, and Cootie mode too) and a 10-
minute practice session timer.
The tutor is very simple to use, no pages of menus to navigate your way around, just one push button
that changes the mode and 3 knobs, one for character speed, one for the gap between characters and
finally a volume control.
Learning the code can be hard and you do need to stick to it, but don’t spend too long per session, it’s
not beneficial. I suggest keeping to a 10 min session once a day, every day. To help you know when a
session is up the tutor will illuminate a LED for 10 secs every 10 Minutes. This is a sign that you may
need to take a break.

FMT MK4 Instructions Rev 10 Page 2 30/9/2023
Now a note about the contest mode, ok what is contest mode? Well, the tutor will send a typical contest
type ‘Over’. It will send a random callsign followed by a three digit serial number, finally a short random
message ending such as ‘GD DX’, a 4 digit locator (Not necessarily the one for the callsign !) , RST Report,
or ‘QRZ’ etc.
That’s all well and good but to add to the realism as much as possible the pitch between overs and also
the speed will change randomly if you select the ‘ACM’ (Advanced Contest Mode) on the tutor’s board
(a two pin jumper enables it). You may want to start with the standard contest mode but you can
change to ACM at anytime. ( I activate it all the time on mine)
The tutor will generate code from about 12 to nearly 30 wpm, if this gets too tame for you then you can
push the tutor up to above 50WPM, another jumper on the main PCB selects this ‘Hyper’ mode.
In addition, the user can change the default tones pitch to their own liking. (See users guide)
Select practice mode and plug either a straight, Paddle, or Cootie key in and you have a practice
oscillator to play with too. (Paddle and Cootie key options are new in this MK4 version)
The FMT will now allow you to select Iambic A or B mode and also gives the option for left or right
handed paddle use
In Koch Mode the tutor will allow the user to select 1 of its 39 lessons and is the best way to learn
Morse, a great addition to the FMT.
The finial mode is the Prisoner of war Tap Code trainer /emulator, read the user guide for full details of
this historic code.
A New Feature!
The FMT has the option now of being used as a basic keyer for your radio (if you no longer need the
AUX audio output) if you have a paddle key connected, the speed and Iambic mode are selectable in
this mode.

FMT MK4 Instructions Rev 10 Page 3 30/9/2023
How to build the FMT?
Read ALL the following instructions BEFORE you start.
Check you have all the parts before you start.
FMT PCB
Mini Controls PCB
Mini Brightness Control PCB
Hammond RM2015M case
Front and Back Punched/Screen Printed Panels
4 x Stick on feet
DC Power Socket
3 x 3.5mm PCB Sockets
PCB 8 Ohm Speaker
9V Battery holder
3 x Battery holder fixing screws
4 x PCB fixing Screws
IC1 ATMEGA328 Processor Chip Keep on antistatic foam till needed (ESD protection!)
Socket 28 Pin IC Socket
2 x 10K potentiometer
1 x 10K potentiometer with integrated switch
1 x PCB Push Button
3 x Control Knobs
1 x 3mm Alarm Blue LED
1 x 4 Core connecting cable
1 x 5 Core connecting cable
1 x 2.54mm jumper
1 x 2.54mm 2 Pin Female Header
1 x 2.54mm 3 Pin Header
1 x 2.54mm 4 Pin Header (to be fitted to main PCB for display wiring)
1 x 2.54mm 5 pin straight Header ( fitted to main PCB for Control board)
1 x 2.54mm 5 pin 90 degree Header (fitted to small control PCB)
1 x Mounting Spacers/Hardware pack
1 x 2 line LCD Display
1 x 8 way switch
1 x 2K trimmer control
The build of the Morse Tutor is straight forward and shouldn’t present much in the way of problems.
This version now uses a number of SMD parts, ALL SMD parts are pre-installed.

FMT MK4 Instructions Rev 10 Page 4 30/9/2023
Building the FMT is an easy project, lets start with the 28pin IC socket, this socket has a little notch by
one end. Make sure you pace the socket to match the outline on the PCB.
Notch this end.
Next fit the 8 way switch, again place it to match the outline so the numbers on the switch and the
board match up.
Then fit the three jack sockets and the power socket.
Two near to the power socket and one further along the same
edge of the board.
Next fit the header pins. There is a 3,4, & 5 way set of
header pins. One for the display, one for the GAP/Speed
control board and one for the Key/AUX option. Make
sure these are fitted so they are at 90 degrees to the
board (Vertical)

FMT MK4 Instructions Rev 10 Page 5 30/9/2023
Now fit the battery holder. There are two types that may be
supplied with the kit, the first has two wires a red and black.
Cut these leads from the holder to about 20mm, strip the ends
of the wires by 3 mm and twist/ tin the ends, solder the wires
in place
Follow the layout silk screen shows where each wire needs to
go.
Then position the holder so the wires are under it and secure in
place from the BOTTOM of
the board with the three
small black self-tappers
provided.
The other battery holder option is a holder with two steel pins,
if you have this version place it on the board and attach it to the boards with the three screws provided
BEFORE you solder it in place, (screws to be fitted from the BOTTOM of the board), once secure then
solder and trim the leads.