The History Archive – Morse Code, the most influential code nobody uses
An evening pause: A bit of history about a clever technology that simply will not die.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon or from any other book seller. If you want an autographed copy the price is $60 for the hardback and $45 for the paperback, plus $8 shipping for each. Go here for purchasing details. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
I can listen to amateur bands such as 20 or 40 metres and there’s a good chance I can hear CW traffic, particularly when there’s a contest.
As well, many amateur radio satellites have telemetry beacons. The data is transmitted as strings of alphanumeric characters in Morse code and that string usually includes the satellite’s ID.
Another application for Morse code in amateur radio is directional beacons, which are often automated amateur stations that transmit their callsigns and, sometimes, their location. Those signals are indicators of propagation conditions as well as which direction and region one might be able to make contacts on the bands they operate on.
In Canada, Morse code is no longer a requirement for obtaining a callsign. I was learning it when the change occurred, but, after spending several months on it, I continued and passed the exam.
Great video. Even though the code requirement has been dropped from all amateur radio licenses, it is still in use. Unfortunately my rate is a dismal 10wpm. I know contesters who can do 45wpm.
When I taught my technician license class at my work, I would teach the students a quarter of the alphabet in ten minutes (1 to 2 dits or dahs). I would pair them up, with headphones, straight keys and let them go at it. I would teach them using the Farnsworth method, listening to code as musical notes. I am not a fan of the Koch method.
I encourage people to get their amateur radio license. If you don’t get it, at least read more about the Trans-Atlantic Cable’s history in the book “The Victorian Internet”.
73,
._ _._. __… _.. _._.
A VA6 here, which means that I’m in the Canadian province of Alberta.
I can copy between 10 and 15 wpm, but, for my purposes, that’s more than adequate. To get my Morse qualification, I had to do at least 5 and I got that easily enough.
Aside from using Morse to check for satellites (for example, the current Russian-built RS-44 transmits its ID on its beacon frequency), I don’t use it much as I have a preference for single sideband. Still, it’s one of those capabilities that one never knows when it’ll come in handy.
If you’ve attended a sporting event, you’ve probably heard Morse code, and possibly sent it.
clap clap clap-clap-clap
clap-clap-clap clap clap
That’s 73 in Morse!
73 is a brevity code originally used by telegraphers and very common in the ham radio community. It means “best wishes” or “good luck”.
Jay–
Trans-Atlantic cables…. serendipitously just watched a bunch of documentaries. Fascinating stuff!
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Steve–
Great Factoid!
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Anyone have one of these in their youth? (I had such high hopes, but not my super-power!)
Radio Shack Realistic Morse Code Practice Oscillator
Unboxing, Restoration, and Demo
https://youtu.be/8lbtXEXKt6A
18:09
No but my Dad had one of these from when he was a kid.
My older brother used them to get a merit badge.
https://www.si.edu/object/boy-scout-telegraph-practice-set-original-box:nmah_1213644
You could switch it between clicks, tones or a flashing light.
You loaded two D cell batts, when helped weigh it down.
I never learned it as a kid. Wasn’t until my time in the US Army that I finally learned it (and no, not Signal Corps).
That’s a good one Wayne. Notice that it had a light? That is for people who use the Koch method (visual) of learning Morse.
The company that made my practice key oscillators, MFJ, is no longer in business, Martin Jue the owner retired, and parts of the company were bought this year. I remember when they were selling them, I called them up and asked for a volume discount for my class and they cut the price in half. Martin Jue was always good to us hams.
Many years ago, I bought an oscillator board and a cheap straight key from Radio Shack. I added the remaining necessary pieces and I tried to learn Morse that way. I quickly lost enthusiasm and both the board and key appear to have disappeared.
Eventually, I tried again. I got another low-cost straight key at a local ham flea market, added a buzzer, and powered it with a wall wart. I kept at it long enough that I was able to pass my exam. When I got my first multi-band, multi-mode transceiver, I added a paddle to the order as the radio had a keyer.
There are several ways by which one can practice Morse code. A local ham club used to have sessions on an FM repeater in the area, but I haven’t heard it for a number of years.
One of the best known is the ARRL’s station W1AW which broadcasts regular sessions on the air, the text being transmitted at various speeds. The ARRL also has audio practice files on its website, with a variety of speeds and the corresponding text.
“Forty to sixty words per minute”
Using a flashing light, I am lucky to get 6 to 8 WPM.
Many people scoff at Morse code, figuring it’s antiquated. What they overlook is that it teaches one to be patient while on the air and to listen carefully.
My father learned Morse Code while training to be a radio man in WW2. He was in ditty-bop school during the graveyard shift. “If you think it was hard to stay awake…” Flew in a B-24 over Europe.
I saw a Morse key in the cockpit of a USAF C-130 in 1991. I knew it was never used but I asked anyway. “No.”
Some years ago Jay Leno had a competition between a couple of telegraphers using Morse code, and a person texting, to see which was faster for sending a prescribed message. The message was “I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance.”
It wasn’t even close; and text did not win.