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Flaxbee

(13,661 posts) Fri Feb 1, 2013, 12:56 AM Feb 2013

Who here knows Morse code?

Why did you learn it?

Do you still remember it, or is it the kind of thing you lose if you don't use?

I've just memorized the alphabet and numbers; now I need to practice actually spelling words so I can do it without pausing to think of each letter.

Why? Seemed like fun. And my husband is a big ham radio guy, so I'll have the opportunity to hopefully become and stay proficient.

14 replies

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Highlight:

Who here knows Morse code? (Original Post) Flaxbee Feb 2013 OP

.. / -.. --- Glassunion Feb 2013 #1

lol. that's going to take me forever :) Flaxbee Feb 2013 #2

Single space separate letters in the words... double space separate words. Glassunion Feb 2013 #3

I edited it with "/" to break the words. Glassunion Feb 2013 #4

thanks -- for a beginner, that's helpful! Flaxbee Feb 2013 #5

The why I learned was the Cub Scouts Glassunion Feb 2013 #6

got it! :) Flaxbee Feb 2013 #12

Does this mean anything? darkangel218 Feb 2013 #7

I learned this word from a naughty text message once... LeftofObama Feb 2013 #8

Went to Navy Morse Code school Zorro Feb 2013 #9

my husband and one of his closest friends are both very quick ... they'll da-dit their Flaxbee Feb 2013 #13

A lot of us learned it in scouting pinboy3niner Feb 2013 #10

My father taught me when I was about 8. Wait Wut Feb 2013 #11

I learned it sorta in the Boy Scouts, but I still need a key Taverner Feb 2013 #14

Glassunion

(10,201 posts)

1. .. / -.. ---

Reply to Flaxbee (Original post)

Fri Feb 1, 2013, 01:12 AM

Feb 2013

.-- .... . -. / .. / .-- .- ... / ----.

-. --- / .. - / .. ... / . .- ... -.-- / - --- / ..-. --- .-. --. . -

Flaxbee

(13,661 posts)

2. lol. that's going to take me forever :)

Reply to Glassunion (Reply #1)

Fri Feb 1, 2013, 01:18 AM

Feb 2013

how do you indicate spaces between letters / words?

Glassunion

(10,201 posts)

3. Single space separate letters in the words... double space separate words.

Reply to Flaxbee (Reply #2)

Fri Feb 1, 2013, 01:20 AM

Feb 2013

Glassunion

(10,201 posts)

4. I edited it with "/" to break the words.

Reply to Flaxbee (Reply #2)

Fri Feb 1, 2013, 01:30 AM

Feb 2013

Should make it easier

Flaxbee

(13,661 posts)

5. thanks -- for a beginner, that's helpful!

Reply to Glassunion (Reply #4)

Fri Feb 1, 2013, 01:52 AM

Feb 2013

It's late here so I'm going to bed but will translate your message in the morning.

When/why did you learn it?

Glassunion

(10,201 posts)

6. The why I learned was the Cub Scouts

Reply to Flaxbee (Reply #5)

Fri Feb 1, 2013, 01:55 AM

Feb 2013

As for the when, you will have to translate my first message.

.... .- ...- . / ..-. ..- -. / - .-. .- -. ... .-.. .- - .. -. --.

--- .... / .- -. -.. / .... .- ...- . / .- / --. --- --- -.. / . ...- . -. .. -. --. / .- ... / .-- . .-.. .-..

Flaxbee

(13,661 posts)

12. got it! :)

Reply to Glassunion (Reply #6)

Fri Feb 1, 2013, 07:59 PM

Feb 2013

Do you still use it; is that why you remember well?

You have a good evening and weekend, too.

darkangel218

(13,985 posts)

7. Does this mean anything?

Reply to Flaxbee (Original post)

Fri Feb 1, 2013, 03:06 AM

Feb 2013

_..=...-_---...

lol i made it up

LeftofObama

(4,243 posts)

8. I learned this word from a naughty text message once...

Reply to Flaxbee (Original post)

Fri Feb 1, 2013, 06:56 AM

Feb 2013

@$$

Does that count?

Zorro

(15,743 posts)

9. Went to Navy Morse Code school

Reply to Flaxbee (Original post)

Fri Feb 1, 2013, 12:30 PM

Feb 2013

some 40 or so years ago, when Morse Code skills were still deemed important for naval communications.

Graduation required being able to send/receive 22 code groups/words (5 characters = 1 word) a minute. Everyone seemed to end up doing 24+WPM.

It required weeks of daily repetitive exercises, but after about 6 weeks our ears became "tuned" and comprehension became automatic. We used to curse each other in Morse at night while in our barracks bunks.

It does require continuous practice to stay proficient. Set up a Morse Code key (or a "bug" key), an oscillator, and a set of headphones to keep your skills fresh.

Flaxbee

(13,661 posts)

13. my husband and one of his closest friends are both very quick ... they'll da-dit their

Reply to Zorro (Reply #9)

Fri Feb 1, 2013, 08:02 PM

Feb 2013

way through a phone conversation (or at least, short bursts of it).

Hmm. I wonder if it's like a parent spelling things out so their kids can't understand. Maybe I shouldn't learn! Lol. (Just kidding)

pinboy3niner

(53,339 posts)

10. A lot of us learned it in scouting

Reply to Flaxbee (Original post)

Fri Feb 1, 2013, 12:45 PM

Feb 2013

Though probably very few of us remember any of it today besides SOS.

And something else they have today that we didn't then--internet Morse Code translators. I hesitate to even mention it, as you're interested in doing the encoding/decoding work yourself (more power to you!).

Wait Wut

(8,492 posts)

11. My father taught me when I was about 8.

Reply to Flaxbee (Original post)

Fri Feb 1, 2013, 12:48 PM

Feb 2013

I think he thought it might come in handy.

I don't remember a damned bit of it.

Taverner

(55,476 posts)

14. I learned it sorta in the Boy Scouts, but I still need a key

Reply to Flaxbee (Original post)

Fri Feb 1, 2013, 08:04 PM

Feb 2013

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