and the Information Age

and the Information Age

Introduction Morse code, invented by Samuel F. B. Morse in the 1830s, is a method of transmitting textual information as a series of on-off tones, lights, or clicks that can be directly understood by a skilled listener or observer without special equipment. The International Morse Code encodes the Roman alphabet, the Arabic numerals and a small set of punctuation and procedural signals. The original telegraph system had an apparatus on the receiving end that spat out a string of paper with indentations on it. Short indentations were called dots or dits, and the longer ones dashes or dahs. Because many non-english natural languages use more than the 26 Roman letters, extensions to the Morse alphabet exist for those languages. Morse code has been in use for more than 160 years longer than any other electrical coding system. What is called Morse code today is actually somewhat different from what was originally developed. The Modern International Morse code, or continental code, was initially used for telegraphy between Hamburg and Cuxhaven in Germany. After some minor changes, International Morse Code was standardized at the International Telegraphy Congress in 1865 in Paris, and was later made the standard by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Samuel Morse's original code specification, largely limited to use in the United States and Canada, became known as American Morse code or railroad code. The Characters A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z The relatively limited speed at which Morse code can be sent led to the development of an extensive number of abbreviations to speed communication. Perhaps the most famous word in Morse Code is SOS. It was chosen as the international Morse code distress signal, because the three dots for S and the three dashes for O make a clear and distinct signal. Before SOS became the standard radio distress signal, there were others. CQ, interpreted as seek you, meaning I'd like to converse with anyone who can hear my signal, was a general call to any station. D was internationally recognized in telegraph cable traffic to precede urgent messages, thus CQD meant urgent message to any station. At the First Congress of Wireless Telegraphy in 1903, the Italians suggested SSSDDD to combine the distinct three dots of the S with the urgency of the D.

Common Practices Aviation In aviation, instrument pilots use radio navigation aids. To ensure that the stations the pilots are using are serviceable, the stations all transmit a short set of identification letters in Morse code. Station identification letters are shown on air navigation charts. For example, Manchester Airport in England is abbreviated as "MCT", and MCT in Morse code is transmitted on its radio frequency. In some countries, if a station begins malfunctioning it broadcasts "TST," for "TEST," which tells pilots and navigators that the station is unreliable. In Canada, the id is removed to signify the navigation aid is not to be used. Globally International Morse code today is most popular among amateur radio operators, where it is used as the pattern to key a transmitter on and off in the radio communications mode commonly referred to as "continuous wave" or "CW" to distinguish it from spark transmissions, not because the transmission was continuous. Other keying methods are available in radio telegraphy, such as frequency shift keying. Radio The original radio operators used Morse code exclusively, since voice-capable radio transmitters did not become commonly available until around 1920. They use a paddle, when pressed to the right by the thumb, it generates a series of dits, the length and timing of which are controlled by a sliding weight toward the rear of the unit. When pressed to the left, the paddle generates a single dah, the length of which is controlled by the operator. Multiple dahs require multiple presses. Left-handed operators use a key built as a mirror image of this one. The Navy Radio navigation aids were used for aeronautical broadcasts identify information in the form of Morse Code. Warships, including those of the U.S. Navy, have long used signal lamps to exchange messages in Morse code. Modern use continues, in part, as a way to communicate while maintaining radio silence. Submarine periscopes include a signal lamp.

The Information Age 1836 1842 1844 1845 1847 1851 1853 1854 1856 Samuel Morse invents electric telegraph, sending messages up to 500 yards. Morse builds circuit between Washington DC and Baltimore, 38 miles long but few interested. Morse sends What God hath wrought message to Capitol. Forms the Magnetic Telegraph Company. Received patent for electric telegrap. Patent contested, built telegraph in Europe instead. Paid $80,000; Netherlands to Turkey. New York Telegraph Co. formed; lines from New York City to Boston & St. Louis. Western Union formed, based on Morse's success in Europe. Invention upheld by U.S. Supreme Court.. Samuel Morse returns to United States. New York Telegraph Co. buys up mostof the local companies, renamed Western Union. 1861 1865 1869 1872 1940s 1970s 1992 1995 1999 Western Union completes lines from Omaha to Sacramento, coast-to-coast. Telegraph/Western Union become huge assets to Union Army during Civil War. Western Union enters agreement with the railroads to share lines. Transcontinental Railroad is done. Samuel Morse dies, at the age of 80 years old. Morse code replaced by teletype for most news services and messaging, except maritime. Morse code eliminated by the railroads. Conversion to GMDSS (Global Marine Distress Safety System vs. manned CW continue wave) on ships begins. Coast Guard ends monitoring CW distress frequency. Commercial maritime CW stations begin to close. The death of commercial CW.

Assistive Practices Morse code has been employed as an assistive technology, helping people with a variety of disabilities to communicate. Morse code can be sent by persons with severe motion disabilities, as long as they have some minimal motor control. Morse code can be translated by computer and used in a speaking communication aid. An important advantage of Morse code over row column scanning is that, once learned, it does not require looking at a display. Also, it appears faster than scanning. People with severe motion disabilities in addition to sensory disabilities (e.g. people who are also deaf or blind) can receive Morse code through a skin buzzer. Key Words and Abbreviations OM = old man YL = young lady XYL = wife YL or OM are used by operators when referring to the other operator, XYL or OM are used by operators when referring to his or her spouse. QTH is location, my QTH is my location. The use of abbreviations for common terms permits conversation even when the operators speak different languages. German radio operators used SOE but quickly realized that the single dot of the E could get easily lost in the static noise. For that reason they had already shifted to SOS by 1906. The United States did not adopt SOS until after the Titanic disaster in 1912. A handful Nokia engineers used morse code as their standard alert tone when short message service (SMS) messages were received, of course the morse code reads SMS.This was implemented by them circa 1985. In 1995, the United States Coast Guard ended the use of Morse Code transmissions in its maritime communications service, signalling the end of an era in the history of communications. Where is Morse Code today? Communication today relies upon satellites, a complex grid and advanced technology to speed messages rapidly World-wide. The internet has increased information flow and ease of contact in almost unimaginable ways. However, old technology has a way of creeping back, since it is simple, relatively inexpensive and does not depend on the fragile grid systems of modern technology. Morse code operators stand ready to help in dire emergencies, grid failures, or war!

Do we still use Morse Code? Amateur radio operators use Morse code extensively for contests, during which rapid connections are imperative. Morse code only requires a small footprint and the larger the amount of data to be transferred, the larger the amount of bandwidth required. Radios can be constructed cheaply without modulation and run much less power than with more sophisticated equipment. Although no longer requiring licensing in most countries many pilots and air traffic controllers are familiar with Morse code. Morse is often used in place of voice communications for sending automated digital data. Morse is also one of the simplest and versatile methods for telecommunication and is often used for emergency signals. Navigation beacons help airline pilots find and maintain proper headings even today. Flashing light Morse code even from a flashlight may be read several miles away for a lost sailor or hunter. Countless snowstorm rescues have been recorded by stranded drivers flashing an SOS signal on a mirror. People direct at the sun, the reflection is then blocked with the other hand, flashing out the Morse code help signal. Medical uses allow the severely handicapped person to tap or blink out a message that can now be ready by computers, giving new hope and meaning to life for sufferers. A new method for using Morse code involves cell phones and text messages entered from an iambic keyer on the cell phone face. Experienced Morse code operators can enter the text much faster than a QUERTY keyboard operator and can do it without looking at the keyboard. Who knows how brilliant minds will conceive of ways to use this simple technology in the future. In the mean time, knowing code might allow you to survive, especially in times of catastrophe.