Python Radio 1: Simple Beginnings
The simplest digital radio mode
This is the first in a series of articles about using microPython to control radio transmitters, receivers, and transceivers.
We will start with something simple and very cheap. Later articles in the series will present Python programs for many popular digital communication modes used in amateur radio. But for now, we will use the oldest and simplest mode: Morse code. This will get us started with microPython and one of the cheapest radios, the FS1000A transmitter and the MX-RM-5V receiver. Some versions of the receiver have the name XY-MK-5V but they are the same circuit.
When connected to good antennas, I have sent signals over a mile using these. You can get the pair for less than a dollar from AliExpress.com, or about two dollars on Amazon.com if you want faster delivery.
To match the low-price radio, we will use the Wemos D1 Mini as the computer. They are about two dollars at AliExpress.com or three for ten dollars at Amazon.
The latest version of microPython for the D1 Mini is found here: https://micropython.org/download/ESP8266_GENERIC/. We want the latest version, which will be the link in boldface type. Download it and rename it to firmware.bin.
