Morse code

The Morse code , or code Morse , is a Code allowing to transmit a Texte using series of short and long Impulsion S. Invented in 1835 by Samuel Morse for the telegraphy, this code assigns with each letter, Chiffre and Punctuation mark a single combination of signals intermittent S. Considéré the precursor of the Communication S Numérique S, the code Morse was since February 1st, 1999 forsaken with the profit of a satellite system for the communications Maritime S.

Use of the Morse

The code can be transported via a Signal radio permanent that one lights and extinguishes (wave continues), an electric impulse through a telegraphic cable, a mechanical or visual signal (luminous flash). The idea which governs the code Morse is to code what is frequent on little place, and to decode on the other hand on longer sequences what seldom returns. In Morse the “E”, very frequent letter, are coded by a simple point, in short of all the signs.

Two types of code Morse were used, each one with their own differences as for the representation of the symbols of written English. The code American Morse was used in the telegraphic system at the origin of the first telecommunication with long distance. The code international Morse is the code most commonly used nowadays.

Parallel to the code Morse, of the more elaborate commercial codes were created coding complete sentences in only one word (group of 5 letters). Did the operators of telegraphy converse then by using words such as BYOXO (“Are you trying to crawl out off it? ”), LIOUY (“Why C you not answer my question? ”) and AYYLU (“Not clearly coded, repeat more clearly. ”). The intention of these codes was to optimize the cost of the cables. The Radioamateur S always use codes called Code Q and Code Z, they were and are used by the operators in order to exchange information on the quality of the bond, the changes of frequencies and the telegrams.

The code international Morse

It is in 1838 that “Morse is born the alphabet” which we know. Two types of impulses are used. Short impulses (noted “. ”, not) which corresponds to an electric impulse of 1/4 of second and the long ones (noted “-”, milked) with an impulse of 3/4 of second.

The code international Morse is always used today (certain parts of the radio operator spectrum are always reserved for only the transmission in Morse). Using a simple radio signal not modulated, he asks less equipment to send and receive that other forms of radio communications. He can be used with an important background noise, a weak signal and asks few Band-width. Until in the years 1990, to obtain the license of radio operator amateur (of FCC) it was necessary to be able to send 5 words encodés in Morse per minute. The license with the most rights required 20 words per minute.

The current test of reading to the sound with the examination (in France, only for the 1st class of radio-amateurism) requires a minimum speed of 12 words per minute. The operators military radios and radio operator trained amateurs can include/understand and record up to 40 words per minute.

Representation and gives rhythm

One uses two symbols called not and feature or Ti and your. The duration of emission of an indent determines the speed to which the message is sent, it is used as a rate of reference. A simple message would be written:

- ** --- - ** */     -- --- ** *** *        
C O D E (space) MR. O R S.E.

Where “-” your represents and “*” Ti represents. Here the rate of the same message (“=” means signal one , “. ” means signal off , each one having for duration a Ti ):

  
..........................................
  
   ^      ^        ^      ^               ^
   |      Ti your     |               space between the words
   |                      space between the letters
   | 
   space between the symbols

Conventions of rate: A your is conventionally 3 times longer than a Ti . Spacing between the Ti and your in a letter has the length of a Ti . Spacing between the letters of a word have as a length a your (3 Ti ). Spacing between the words is of 5 Ti .

The people familiar of the Morse would thus write CODE MORSE as follows: - ** --- - ** */ -- --- ** *** * And would pronounce it: tatitati tatata tatiti Ti, touched tatata titati tititi Ti .

Generation of the messages

The operators compose of the messages in Morse using Manipulateur S . The simplest models ( pickaxes ) do not comprise that only one key: a signal is sent when the latter is inserted. The operator must thus gauge itself the duration of the points and the features. The more advanced models ( “iambic” ) comprise two metal discs, of which one generates the features, and the other generates the points. The manipulator is then connected to a key Morse , charged with sending the signals of suitable durations.

There exist also automatic data-processing generators, which are generally coupled with automatic decoders.

Letters, figures, punctuation, other symbols

Here some tables recapitulating the Morse code and some signs commonly used.

Letters

Figures

Punctuation

The symbol “@” was added in 2004. It combines has and C in only one character.

Extension to the international characters

Special codes

A frequent error is to regard the international code of distress as the succession of the letters S O S and to send it as such (=.=.=… ===.===.===… =.=.=). The good way of sending it is by connecting the 9 elements as if they formed only one letter (=.=.=.===.===.===.=.=.=).

Average mnemotechnics

There exist various enough simple means Mnémotechnique S to learn the 26 letters of the alphabet in Morse.

Method of the consonances in " o"

In the table which is below, a word is affected with each letter of the alphabet. These words are in 2nd and 3rd column of the table. If several possible words are assigned to a letter, it is enough to choose one of them. The mnemotechnical process simply consists in learning a list from 26 words corresponding to the 26 letters of the alphabet.

Each word represents coding Morse of the letter which is associated for him. For each syllable of the word there is a Ti or a your . The your will be represented for a syllable with consonance “O” or “one” and the Ti for all the other syllables.

Example: For the letter P, the word " Psychologie" (Psychiatrist/cho/lo/gie) has its 2 central syllables in " o" (cho/lo), the others do not have consonance in " o" or in " on". The code of the letter P is thus ". --. " with 2 long signals for the 2 central syllables and 2 courts at the ends for the remaining syllables.

Method of the vowel-consonants

Another means is to use the words of the last column of the table.

For each letter of the words there is a Ti or a your . A consonant represents a your and a vowel a Ti .

There exists a different rule for the letters only made up of points or features. The words should be retained:

E I S H for those made up of points
T MR. O CH for those made up of features

The position of the letter in the word returns to the number of features or points.

Example: the S is coded by 3 points because S is in 3rd position in " eiSh"

Mnemotechnical table

The code Morse is easily memorable using the short and long codes replaced by syllables. The long code (-) replaced by a syllable in " O". The code runs (.) replaced by one of the other vowels.

Ex: With =. - = Au/tO (a syllable has some for. and a syllable out of O for -)

One obtains as follows:

The letter V corresponds to the 5th symphony of Beethoven Ti-Ti-Ti-taaaaa (… -). This code was used to start the unloading in 1944 on the coasts Normande S.

Various methods

Other means exist, which call upon sentences or expressions making it possible to order the signs according to their values. Example:

EISH:

T MOCH (be ugly for you)

The W let us go are not cruel (. --)

Mister X carries glasses (-. -)

See too

Code Baudot
Semaphore
Alphabet radio operator
Figure Pollux
Telegraph
Radio ham

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