Vail Summit User Manual

1. Power on: Flip the power switch on the top-left edge of the device. The screen will display the Vail Summit logo and boot to the main menu.
2. Navigate menus: Use the arrow keys on the CardKB keyboard to move through menu options. Press ENTER to select, ESC to go back.
3. Choose a mode: Scroll to your desired mode (we recommend Practice Mode for beginners) and press ENTER.
4. Start practicing: Connect your paddle to the middle 3.5mm jack on the right side, or use the built-in capacitive touch pads on the CardKB.

WiFi is optional but enables web interface access, POTA spots, band conditions, and firmware updates.

1. From the main menu, select Settings → WiFi Setup
2. Select Scan Networks to see available networks
3. Choose your network and enter the password using the keyboard
4. Once connected, the device will display its IP address

• Practice Mode: Best starting point. Use your paddle or capacitive touch to send CW with instant audio feedback and decoded text display.
• Set your WPM: Go to Settings → CW Settings to adjust your speed (5-40 WPM).
• Try Vail CW School: If you're learning CW, the built-in course walks you through everything from your first characters to full callsigns.
• Play Morse Shooter: A fun way to practice recognition - key the correct character before it reaches the ground!

• CW Training: Vail CW School course, daily practice drills, copy and send practice, and Morse Notes recording
• Games: Morse Shooter, Memory Chain, Spark Watch - learn while having fun
• License Exam Prep: Study for Technician, General, and Extra class exams
• Ham Tools: QSO logger, POTA spots viewer, band conditions, HF band plans
• Radio Integration: Key your radio directly, 10 programmable CW memories, Vail Internet Repeater
• Web Interface: Full dashboard, remote control, QSO logging with map visualization
• Bluetooth: HID keyboard mode and MIDI mode for external applications
• Adaptive Decoder: Real-time morse decoding that adjusts to your sending speed

Component	Specification
Microcontroller	ESP32-S3 Feather V2 (240 MHz, dual-core)
Display	4.0" TFT LCD, 480×320 pixels, ST7796S controller
Audio	I2S + MAX98357A Class-D amplifier, 44.1kHz/16-bit
Keyboard	CardKB mini QWERTY (I2C interface)
Storage	SD card slot (FAT32, up to 32GB SDHC)
Wireless	WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0 (HID + MIDI)
Battery	Optional LiPo with fuel gauge (MAX17048 or LC709203F)
Input	Physical paddles, capacitive touch, keyboard

1. Charge the device (if battery installed) using the USB-C port, or operate while connected to USB power.
2. Power on using the switch on the top-left edge.
3. Set your callsign: Go to Settings → Callsign to enter your amateur radio callsign (used for QSO logging and CW memories).
4. Configure WiFi (optional): Settings → WiFi Setup to connect to your network.
5. Adjust CW settings: Settings → CW Settings to set your preferred WPM, tone frequency, and key type.

The Summit supports two WiFi operating modes:

Station Mode (Default)

Connects to your existing WiFi network. This is the normal operating mode that provides internet access for POTA spots, band conditions, and the Vail Repeater.

Access Point Mode

Creates its own WiFi network when no known networks are available:

• Network Name: VAIL-SUMMIT-XXXXXX (where X is unique to your device)
• Password: vailsummit
• IP Address: 192.168.4.1

AP mode is useful for accessing the web interface when away from your home network, such as during portable operations.

Key	Function
↑ ↓	Navigate menu items / adjust values
← →	Navigate sub-options / change settings
ENTER	Select / Confirm
ESC	Go back / Cancel
SPACE	Replay (in training modes) / Pause
A-Z, 0-9	Text input / Answer in training modes

A full-featured practice oscillator with real-time feedback. This is the ideal mode for daily practice and warm-up.

• Sidetone: Configurable audio feedback (400-1200 Hz)
• Adaptive Decoder: Real-time WPM detection using weighted averaging
• Decoded Text: See your CW displayed on screen as you send
• Key Types: Supports straight key, iambic A, iambic B, and ultimatic
• Prosigns: Recognizes AR, AS, BK, BT, CT, HH, SK, SN, SOS

The built-in course that takes you from your first two characters to copying real words and callsigns. Find it from the home screen under "Start Learning" or in the CW menu under Training.

• Learn: 12 modules covering letters, numbers, punctuation, common words, and callsigns
• Daily Practice: Short drills weighted toward your weakest characters
• Copy Practice: Endless copy with instant feedback
• Send Practice: Key the character shown, the decoder checks your sending

Characters play at full speed with extra spacing between them (Farnsworth timing), with separate character and effective speed settings. New characters are added a couple at a time as you show mastery, and your progress saves automatically.

Copy training you run from the web interface: the Summit plays morse and you type what you hear in your browser. Five modes to choose from:

• Callsigns: Realistic amateur callsigns (W1ABC format)
• Random Letters: Pure alphabet practice (A-Z)
• Random Numbers: Number-only practice (0-9)
• Letters + Numbers: Mixed alphanumeric groups
• Custom Characters: Practice specific problem characters you define

Adjustable group length from 3-10 characters per group. See the Web Interface section for how to connect.

Record your own sending and play it back later. Great for hearing what your fist actually sounds like:

• Record up to 5 minutes per note
• Library holds up to 200 recordings
• Play back any note on the device speaker
• Average WPM calculated for each recording
• Download recordings as WAV files from the web interface

Found in the CW menu under Morse Notes.

Study for your amateur radio license exams with the complete FCC question pools:

• Technician Class: Entry-level license
• General Class: Upgrade to HF privileges
• Extra Class: Full amateur privileges

The adaptive study system prioritizes questions you struggle with. Download question pools over WiFi and study offline anywhere.

Arcade-style game where you defend your town by keying morse code to shoot falling letters.

• Letters fall from the sky - key the correct character to destroy them
• Adaptive decoder matches your actual sending speed
• Supports both straight key and iambic paddle
• Score tracking with persistent high scores
• Adjust speed during gameplay

Simon Says-style game testing your memory and CW recognition:

• Standard Mode: One mistake ends the game
• Practice Mode: 3 lives for learning
• Timed Challenge: 60-second speed rounds

Three difficulty levels: letters only, mixed alphanumeric, and prosigns. Optional visual hints for beginners.

Maritime morse transcription game inspired by the golden age of radio:

• Step into history as a coastal wireless operator
• Transcribe distress calls and maritime messages
• 5 difficulty levels (Easy to Master)
• Historical challenges featuring famous incidents (Titanic, Republic, etc.)
• Speed multipliers (0.5x to 2.0x)
• Campaign mode with missions

Head copy training disguised as a game. The Summit sends a short story entirely in CW, then quizzes you on what happened:

• Stories sent completely in morse
• Comprehension questions after each story
• Multiple difficulty tiers
• Progress tracking as you improve

You can't fake it here. If you weren't copying, you can't answer the questions.

Quick-fire speed drills that push your character recognition:

• Match dit-dah patterns under time pressure
• Short rounds, easy to fit in a few minutes of practice
• Recognition speed builds naturally over time

Log contacts directly on the device or via the web interface:

• Full logging fields: Callsign, frequency, RST, mode, notes
• POTA park reference fields for you and the other station
• View and browse logged contacts
• Statistics: Total QSOs, unique callsigns, bands used
• Export to ADIF 3.1.4 or CSV via web interface
• Map visualization showing contact locations

Real-time Parks On The Air spot viewer (requires WiFi):

• Live spots from POTA API
• Filter by band, mode, and region
• Park reference lookup with grid squares
• Auto-refresh for current activity
• Detailed spot info (frequency, mode, activator)

Hands-free logging for activations. The recorder listens to your keying, decodes the exchange, and logs the contact for you:

• Decodes your own sending in real time
• Picks out callsigns and exchange info automatically
• Contacts go straight into the QSO logger
• Set your callsign and park once at the start of an activation

Found in the Ham Tools menu under POTA.

Full satellite pass prediction on the device (requires WiFi for data updates):

• Track up to 160 amateur satellites
• TLE orbital data downloaded from Celestrak
• Transmitter frequencies from the SatNOGS database, plus a built-in list for popular birds (SO-50, AO-91, ISS, and more)
• Next 60 Minutes view for quick checks
• Plan passes up to 72 hours ahead with a date and time picker
• Live azimuth and elevation readout during a pass

TLE data is cached on the SD card, so predictions keep working in the field. The device warns you when the data is getting stale.

Check current HF propagation before operating:

• Solar Flux Index (SFI), A-index, K-index
• X-ray classification and sunspot count
• Solar wind speed and magnetic field data
• HF band conditions (80m through 10m)
• Day and night propagation forecasts
• VHF phenomena: Aurora, E-skip, meteor scatter

Data sourced from hamqsl.com.

Quick reference for US amateur radio HF allocations:

• All HF amateur bands (160m - 10m)
• Color-coded license class privileges
• Mode allocations (CW, Phone, Data)
• Overview and detailed views

Connect to any radio with a 3.5mm keying jack using the bottom port on the right side.

Summit Keyer Mode

The Summit handles all keying logic and timing. Outputs clean straight-key format to your radio, regardless of whether you're using a paddle or straight key.

Radio Keyer Mode

Passthrough mode that sends paddle signals directly to your radio. Your radio's built-in keyer handles timing - use this when you prefer your radio's keyer settings.

• Full iambic paddle support with squeeze keying
• WPM adjustment (5-40 WPM) in Summit Keyer mode
• GPIO outputs for direct radio keying

Store and recall your most-used CW messages:

• 10 memory slots with custom labels (up to 15 characters)
• Up to 100 characters per message
• Prosign support: <AR>, <SK>, <BK>, etc.
• Preview on device speaker before sending
• One-button send via radio output
• Edit via web interface for easier typing

Perfect for contest exchanges, CQ calls, and standard sign-offs.

Practice CW with operators around the world without needing a radio license or HF station:

• Connects to vailmorse.com via WebSocket
• Multiple virtual "channels" for different groups
• Hear other operators in real-time
• Use your paddle or capacitive touch to send
• Active community of CW learners and Elmers

Requires WiFi connection.

BT HID (Keyboard Mode)

The Summit appears as a Bluetooth keyboard. Your paddle input is converted to keyboard keystrokes, compatible with apps like VBand and other CW software.

BT MIDI

Bluetooth MIDI mode for compatibility with MIDI-based CW applications.

Once connected to WiFi, access the web interface at:

• mDNS: http://vail-summit.local
• IP Address: Displayed on screen after WiFi connection

The dashboard shows status cards for battery level, WiFi signal, QSO count, and more.

Full-featured logging interface with features beyond the device screen:

• Sortable columns and real-time search/filter
• Map visualization showing contact locations (Maidenhead grid squares)
• Export to ADIF 3.1.4 or CSV format
• Statistics dashboard

Several training modes can be used via the web interface:

• Web Practice: Real-time practice with WebSocket connection
• Web Memory Chain: Play Memory Chain from your browser
• Web Hear It Type It: Browser generates audio for training

The web interface provides access to:

• WiFi configuration
• CW settings (WPM, tone, key type)
• Radio mode settings
• CW memory editing
• System information and diagnostics

Connect your paddle to the middle 3.5mm jack on the right side of the device.

• Wiring: Standard TRS connector (Tip = DIT, Ring = DAH, Sleeve = Ground)
• Pull-up: Internal pull-ups enabled, active LOW

The CardKB keyboard includes built-in capacitive touch pads:

• Located on either side of the space bar area
• Left pad = DIT, Right pad = DAH
• No external paddle required for basic practice

The Summit supports four keying modes (configurable in Settings → CW Settings):

Straight Key

Simple on/off keying. The device generates the sidetone for exactly as long as you hold the key down.

Iambic A

Alternating priority with element memory. When you squeeze both paddles, the keyer alternates between DIT and DAH, stopping at the end of the element being sent when you release.

Iambic B

Last-contact priority (full squeeze keying). Similar to Iambic A, but if you release during an element, the keyer will complete one additional alternate element.

Ultimatic

When you squeeze both paddles, the last paddle pressed takes over and repeats instead of alternating. Some ops find it more forgiving than iambic for certain characters.

The CardKB mini keyboard provides full alphanumeric input for:

• Answering training questions
• Entering callsigns and settings
• QSO logging
• CW memory editing
• WiFi password entry

Setting	Range	Description
WPM (Words Per Minute)	5 - 40	Sending and training speed (PARIS standard)
Tone Frequency	400 - 1200 Hz	Sidetone pitch (default: 700 Hz)
Key Type	Straight / Iambic A / Iambic B	Keyer mode for paddle input

Adjust the audio output volume from 0-100%. Uses software attenuation to prevent distortion.

Enter your amateur radio callsign. This is used for:

• QSO logging (your station)
• CW memory macros
• Web interface identification

• Scan Networks: View available WiFi networks
• Saved Networks: Up to 3 networks can be saved
• AP Mode: Create a local access point when no networks available
• Connection Status: View IP address and signal strength

The Summit includes a sophisticated morse decoder ported from the morse-pro JavaScript library:

• Real-time WPM detection using weighted averaging
• 30-sample circular buffer for timing analysis
• Automatic character gap detection (7-dit word gaps)
• Works with both straight key and iambic input

The SD card slot accepts FAT32 formatted cards up to 32GB:

• License exam question pools
• QSO log backups
• Firmware update files

The Summit uses PARIS standard timing:

Element	Duration
DIT	1200 / WPM milliseconds
DAH	3 × DIT
Element gap (within character)	1 × DIT
Letter gap	3 × DIT
Word gap	7 × DIT

Example at 20 WPM: DIT = 60ms, DAH = 180ms

• Can't find network: Ensure your network is 2.4GHz (5GHz not supported)
• Connection drops: Move closer to your router; check for interference
• Wrong password: Passwords are case-sensitive; re-enter carefully
• Can't access web interface: Try the IP address instead of vail-summit.local

• No sidetone: Check volume setting; ensure headphones are fully inserted
• Distorted audio: Lower the volume; audio may clip at high levels
• Glitchy sound: Audio-critical modes disable display updates to prevent glitches; this is normal

• Key not responding: Ensure cable is fully inserted in the middle port (not top or bottom)
• DIT/DAH reversed: Some paddles use reversed wiring; try swapping connections or use a stereo cable adapter
• Erratic behavior: Check for loose connections; try a different cable

• Screen frozen: Some modes pause display updates during audio to prevent glitches
• Blank screen: Try power cycling; ensure battery is charged

• Device unresponsive: Power cycle using the switch on top
• Settings not saving: Ensure you're exiting menus properly with ESC
• Firmware issues: Check for updates at update.vailadapter.com