Morse code: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:47, 16 July 2025

Revision as of 17:46, 17 July 2025

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[[File:International Morse Code.svg|thumb|upright=1.2|Chart of the Morse code 26&nbsp;letters and 10&nbsp;numerals<ref name=ITU-R-M-1677/>]]

{{anchor|MorseKey}}

[[File:Morsetaste.jpg|thumb|right|This Morse key was originally used by [[Gotthard railway#The Gotthard railway telegraph network|Gotthard railway]], later by a [[shortwave radio]] amateur.<ref>Gotthard morse key used by shortwave radio amateur [https://www.qrz.com/db/HB9BFM HB9BFM]. Retrieved 25 September 2021.</ref>]]

'''Morse code''' is a [[telecommunications]] method which [[Character encoding|encodes]] [[Written language|text]] characters as standardized sequences of two different signal durations, called ''dots'' and ''dashes'', or ''dits'' and ''dahs''.<ref name=Beechey-1876/><ref name=Camm-1941/> Morse code is named after [[Samuel Morse]], one of the early developers of the system adopted for [[electrical telegraph]]y.

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== Operator proficiency ==

[[File:Bencher paddle.jpg|thumb|A commercially manufactured iambic paddle used in conjunction with an electronic [[keyer]] to generate high-speed Morse code, the timing of which is controlled by the keyer.{{efn|

These modern "iambic" keys are operated by one or two "paddles" pressed left and right, instead of pressing down a lever, as in the traditional telegraph keys, pictured at the start of this article. Operating paddle keys is similar to using the old [[Vibroplex]] clockwork telegraph keys: Pressing the paddle to the right generates a series of repeated ''dits'' until the paddle is released; pressing the paddle to the left produces a similar series of ''dahs''; and with two-paddle electronic keys, squeezing the two paddles from both sides produces an alternating {{nowrap| ''dit dah dit dah'' }} sequence.

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===Amateur radio===

[[File:VibroplexBug.jpg|thumb|right|[[Vibroplex]] brand semiautomatic key{{efn|name=bug_op_note}} (informally called a "bug" since it vaguely resembles a [[stick insect]]). ]]

International Morse code today is most popular among [[amateur radio]] operators, in the mode commonly referred to as "[[continuous wave]]" or "CW".{{efn|

The name ''[[continuous wave]]'' was chosen to distinguish the single-frequency [[List of amateur radio modes|transmission mode]] from the sliding-frequency [[damped wave (radio transmission)|damped wave signals]] from now-banned [[spark-gap transmitter]]s. Although the modern {{sc|on}} / {{sc|off}} signal itself is interrupted, not continuous, it does (ideally) maintain a single, constant frequency [[carrier wave]] throughout any one transmission.

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The original amateur radio operators used Morse code exclusively since voice-capable radio transmitters did not become commonly available until around 1920. Until 2003, the [[International Telecommunication Union]] mandated Morse code proficiency as part of the amateur radio licensing procedure worldwide. However, the [[World Radiocommunication Conference]] of 2003 made the Morse code requirement for amateur radio licensing optional.<ref name=IARU-2003-07-03/> Many countries subsequently removed the Morse requirement from their license requirements.<ref name=ARRL-Letter-2005-08-12/>

[[File:2022-11-06 0204 40 Meter CW.ogg|thumb|Morse code recorded on the [[40-meter band|40&nbsp;meter ham radio band]] (31&nbsp;sec).]]

Until 1991, a demonstration of the ability to send and receive Morse code at a minimum of five words per minute ({{sc|wpm}}) was required to receive an amateur radio license for use in the United States from the [[Federal Communications Commission]]. Demonstration of this ability was still required for the privilege to use the [[shortwave|shortwave bands]]. Until 2000, proficiency at the 20&nbsp;{{sc|wpm}} level was required to receive the highest level of amateur license (Amateur Extra Class); effective April 15, 2000, in the FCC reduced the Extra Class requirement to 5&nbsp;{{sc|wpm}}.<ref name=ARRL-2000-Part-97-amended/> Finally, effective on February 23, 2007, the FCC eliminated the Morse code proficiency requirements from all amateur radio licenses.