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Les Kerr edited this page Nov 21, 2020 · 19 revisions

MKOB 4.0 installation

Windows

For the time being, installing MKOB 4.0 on Windows is a multi-step process:

  1. Download the MKOB software.
  2. Install Python.
  3. Install prerequisite Python packages.
  4. Tailor the program's settings to your computer's configuration.

1. Download the MKOB software.

  • Download InstallMKOB.cmd and save it in some convenient folder, such as Downloads.
  • Go to the folder where you saved InstallMKOB.cmd and run it by double-clicking on its icon. Windows may warn you that downloaded command scripts can be dangerous. You can bypass this warning by clicking on More info and then Run anyway.
  • The command script creates two shortcuts on your desktop: MKOB4 and MKOB4 Scripts.
  • If you wish, you can delete the InstallMKOB.cmd file.

2. Install Python

MKOB 4.0 requires Python 3.6 or later. To determine which version of Python (if any) is installed on your computer, do the following:

  • Double-click on the MKOB4 Scripts icon on your desktop to open the scripts folder.
  • Double-click on the SysCheck.cmd file.
  • If Python is installed, its version number will be displayed.

If you need to install a newer version of Python, you can do so by going to the Python site at python.org/downloads. Note: Python 3.9 is not compatible with Windows 7. If you're running Win 7, you should install Python 3.8 instead.

3. Install prerequisite software packages

MKOB 4.0 requires not only Python, but also a couple of third-party Python library packages to support sound for the simulated sounder and the serial port for an external key and/or sounder.

  • Double-click on the MKOB4 Scripts icon on your desktop to open the scripts folder.
  • Double-click on the InstallPackages.cmd file. This may take several minutes, so be patient.
  • Double-click on the SysCheck.cmd file to confirm correct installation. You should see something like this:
Python 3.7.2 (tags/v3.7.2:9a3ffc0492, Dec 23 2018, 23:09:28) [MSC v.1916 64 bit (AMD64)]
PyKOB 1.2.11
PyAudio PortAudio V19.6.0-devel, revision 396fe4b6699ae929d3a685b3ef8a7e97396139a4
pySerial 3.4
USB Serial Port (COM3)
Press any key to continue . . .
  • If you have an interface connected, its port number should be listed (COM3, in this example). Make a note of it for future reference.

4. Set your configuration preferences

The MKOB program doesn't have a dialog screen for setting preferences yet. A separate Python program Configure.py exists for this purpose, but it can only be run from a command prompt window. To set the most common options, you can do the following:

  • Double-click on the MKOB4 Scripts icon on your desktop to open the scripts folder.
  • Double-click on the Settings.cmd file and follow the on-screen instructions.

The default options are shown in upper case, but can be entered in lower case.

Running the program

Double-click on the MKOB4 desktop shortcut. The familiar MorseKOB window should appear on your screen. If you get a warning message from Windows saying it doesn't recognize the app, you can safely bypass the warning by clicking on More info and Run anyway.

Try the following:

  • Type a tilde (~) in the keyboard sender window to open the circuit. You should hear a click from your speakers or from your sounder, depending on how your setup is configured.
  • Type a few characters in the sender window. You should hear the Morse and the characters will be displayed in the reader window.
  • Close the circuit by typing a plus sign (+). Note: The Escape key can also be used to toggle the circuit open and closed.

Close the program by clicking the X in the MorseKOB title bar (or by going to the File > Exit menu).

If you connect to a wire, remember to first enter your station ID (e.g., office call, first name, location).

Updating the program

To update MKOB to the latest version, open the MKOB4 Scripts folder and double-click on the InstallMKOB.cmd file.

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