User Guide - Head Copy

🚀 Getting Started

Welcome to Head Copy! This app provides realistic Morse code training with multiple specialized modes designed for amateur radio operators.

Quick Start

Set up your Station Information (CallSign, Name, QTH) in the Station tab
Choose your training mode in Settings
Adjust WPM Speed (5-50 WPM, Premium unlocks 20+ WPM)
Set your practice Duration (1-60 minutes, Premium unlocks 5+ minutes)
Configure audio Frequency (400-1000 Hz)
Start practicing in the Practice tab

💡 Head Copy Technique: Enable "Display Delay" to see text AFTER hearing the Morse code - this trains true head copy skills where you decode in your mind before seeing the answer.

📻 Training Modes

Head Copy offers six specialized training modes, each designed for different aspects of amateur radio operation.

🏞️ POTA Mode

Parks On The Air - Realistic POTA activations and hunter experiences.

Simulated park activations
Authentic POTA exchanges
Real park references
CallSign list selection

⚡ SKCC Mode

Straight Key Century Club - Traditional straight key Morse code practice.

Straight key audio effects
SKCC member numbers
CTS suffixes (S, T, C)
Authentic SKCC exchanges

🏆 Contest Mode

Multiple contest simulations with realistic exchanges and timing.

WPX - CallSign and serial number
CWops CWT - Name and state/province
SST Slow Speed - RST and state/DX
MST Medium Speed - Name and serial
NCCC Sprint - Serial, name, state

📚 Words List Mode

Practice with common English words and amateur radio terminology.

Multiple word lists
Common amateur radio terms
Adjustable word count
Training file selection

🎓 LICW Mode

Long Island CW Club - Specialized LICW training content.

LICW member numbers
Club-specific exercises
Advanced CW techniques
Multiple training files

🔤 Koch Method

Progressive character learning system for systematic CW mastery.

Character selection interface
Progressive difficulty
Standard Koch progression
Individual character focus

⚙️ Settings & Configuration

Morse Code Settings

Speed Controls

WPM Speed (5-50): Overall transmission speed
Farnsworth Speed: Character spacing (cannot exceed WPM)
Wordsworth Speed: Word spacing timing (cannot exceed WPM)

Timing & Audio

Duration (1-60 minutes): Practice session length
Frequency (400-1000 Hz): Morse tone frequency
Display Delay: Show text before (off) or after (on) morse plays

Premium Features

High Speed: Unlock WPM speeds above 20
Extended Sessions: Practice for more than 5 minutes
Radio Sound Settings: Advanced audio processing

⚠️ Head Copy Training: Enable "Display Delay" for true head copy practice - you'll hear the Morse first, then see the text. This builds real-world copying skills.

🏗️ Station Setup

Configure your station information for realistic QSO simulations.

Required Information

Your CallSign: Your amateur radio call sign
Name: Your first name or nickname
QTH (SPC Code): Your state/province/country

Club Memberships (Optional)

CWops Number: For CWops CWT contests
SKCC Number: For SKCC operations (supports S, T, C suffixes)
LICW Number: For LICW club activities

Personalization

Custom Message: Replace the default "May The Morse Be With You" with your own motivational message

🎯 Practice Interface

Main Practice Screen

Display Elements

Your CallSign: Prominently displayed when not practicing
Motivational Message: Custom or default inspiration
UTC Clock: Current UTC date and time
Local Clock: Your local date and time
Training Mode Info: Current mode, speed, duration, and frequency

Practice Session

Tap the play button to enter full-screen practice mode
Watch the 3-2-1 countdown
Listen to Morse code transmissions
Text appears based on your Display Delay setting
Use media controls (headphone buttons) for pause/resume/stop
Session ends automatically after set duration

Full-Screen Mode

Immersive Practice: Large text display on black background
Exit Control: X button with confirmation dialog
Media Controls: Play/pause button in corner
Countdown Timer: Remaining session time
Prosign Display: + becomes <AR>, = becomes <BT>, ( becomes <KN>

📊 History & Progress

Practice History

The History tab automatically tracks your practice sessions:

Session Details: Date, duration, WPM speed, training mode
Character Count: Number of transmissions received
Automatic Logging: Sessions over 30 seconds are saved
Progress Tracking: View your practice consistency

🎯 Practice Tip: Regular short sessions are more effective than occasional long ones. The app tracks sessions as short as 30 seconds to encourage consistent daily practice.

🎵 Audio Features

Standard Audio

Clean Tone: Pure sine wave Morse code
Adjustable Frequency: 400-1000 Hz range
Volume Control: System volume integration

Radio Sound Settings (Premium)

Advanced audio processing for realistic on-air experience:

Background Noise: Simulated radio static
Audio Filtering: Realistic receiver audio
QRM/QRN: Interference simulation

Straight Key Effect

SKCC mode includes authentic straight key timing variations for realistic practice.

🔧 Advanced Features

Media Control Integration

Headphone Controls: Play/pause/stop with headphone buttons
Background Operation: Practice continues when screen locks
Notification Center: Media controls in notification center

Screen Management

Keep Screen On: Prevent auto-lock during practice
Auto Full-Screen: Immersive practice mode
Landscape Support: Tab bar hides in landscape orientation

Session Management

Auto-Save: Practice sessions saved automatically
Pause/Resume: Continue sessions from where you left off
Emergency Exit: Quick exit with confirmation

💡 Practice Tips

Head Copy Technique

Enable Display Delay: See text AFTER hearing code
Don't Rush: Let the complete thought form before looking
Practice Daily: 15-20 minutes daily beats long weekly sessions
Realistic Speeds: Practice at speeds you'll use on-air

Mode-Specific Tips

Contest Practice

Focus on exchange formats for your target contests
Practice with station information that matches contest requirements
Use realistic serial number ranges

POTA Practice

Learn common park references and callsign patterns
Practice both activator and hunter perspectives
Focus on efficient exchanges

Koch Method

Add new characters only when achieving 90% accuracy
Maintain character speed at 15+ WPM
Focus on character sounds, not visual patterns

🔧 Troubleshooting

Common Issues

No Audio

Check device volume and silent mode
Verify app isn't muted in Control Center
Test with headphones to isolate speaker issues
Restart the app

Premium Features Not Working

Check subscription status in Settings > Subscriptions
Try "Restore Purchases" in app settings
Sign out and back into Apple ID
Restart device

Station Information Required Alerts

Complete your CallSign, Name, and QTH in Station tab
Add relevant club numbers for contest modes
Some modes require specific information to function

Getting Help

If you need support:

📧 Developer: Carson - K8APP
🌐 Website: https://www.head-copy.com
🍎 App Store: Leave feedback and reviews

Head Copy User Guide