This interactive guide will walk you through everything you need to know: from identifying your adapter type to configuring settings, testing it out, and discovering where to practice. We'll keep it short, sweet, and snarky.
💡 What you'll learn:
Yes, really. Just plug it in. That's it.
What to do:
🎵 Listen for the startup sound!
When you plug in your Vail Adapter, you should hear "VAIL" in Morse code from the built-in buzzer. This confirms the adapter has power and the firmware is working.
⚠️ Didn't hear "VAIL" in Morse?
Your adapter may need a firmware update. Visit the firmware updater, flash the latest version, then come back and try again.
💡 Pro tip: If your computer doesn't recognize it immediately, try a different USB port. Some ports are just grumpy.
Searching for MIDI devices...
🔔 Browser Permission Required
Your browser may ask for permission to access MIDI devices. You must click "Allow" or "Accept" for this guide to detect your adapter.
Recommended browser: Chrome. Some users have reported success with Edge and Firefox, but your mileage may vary.
Not detecting your adapter?
Each port has a job. Like coworkers, but more reliable.
Make it sound just right. Or hilariously wrong. Your call.
Your adapter already has settings stored!
Your adapter remembers its speed, sidetone, and keyer mode from last time. You can key now to test with the current settings, or unlock the controls below to make changes.
Change settings anytime: While you can configure your initial settings here, you can always adjust them later at vailmorse.com using the online Vail Repeater interface.
How fast those dits and dahs fly
The pitch of your beeps
Pick your keying style
Keying Speed: Controls how fast your dits are. Lower = slower, higher = faster. Start around 12 WPM if you're learning.
Sidetone Frequency: The pitch of the beep. 440 Hz (A4) is standard, but pick what sounds good to you.
Keyer Mode: Different modes for different key types. Straight Key for traditional keys, Iambic A/B for paddles, Bug for semi-automatic keys.
Your neighbors will love this.
What you're seeing: Each key press appears as a dash (—) above. This confirms your adapter is sending data to your computer!
💡 Want to practice online? After finishing this guide, head to vailmorse.com to practice with other CW operators in real-time!
Because sometimes silence is golden
How to mute the built-in buzzer sidetone:
💡 To turn it back on: Simply unplug your adapter and plug it back in. The buzzer will be re-enabled on startup.
⚠️ Note: This mutes ALL audio output - both the internal buzzer and the headphone/speaker jack. However, when you plug headphones or a speaker into the silver jack, the internal buzzer is automatically disabled (only the jack output works).
The other way your adapter can work
What's the difference?
Your adapter has two modes:
⚠️ How to switch to Keyboard Mode:
You can stay in MIDI mode to keep exploring here or use Vail Repeater!
Because bugs are only fun in semi-automatic keys
Why update?
Firmware updates bring new features, bug fixes, and improvements. Plus, it makes your adapter feel special.
💡 How it works: The web updater will guide you through the whole process. Just click the button above and follow the prompts. It's easier than making coffee.
Now go forth and make some dit-dah magic
Where to practice:
Your adapter works with tons of tools and games. Here are some favorites:
Need help or want to share your setup? Join the Vail Discord community or check out the full manual.