Morse Code

[AKIron]

Counting in binary is easier than counting in decimal. It works the same way but binary has only 2 numbers instead of 10. Learn it. Love it.

[xanax]

Do you know Morse code? Does anyone here know Morse code?

I do and here's a message for everyone that has participated in this thread:
-. . .-. -.. ...

[AKIron]

I hope no one ever needs morse code or one like it. Hope isn't a plan though. A massive solar flare or EMP attack could wipe out all but the most primitive forms of communication indefinitely.

I took the Ham operator test a few years ago and bought a hand held radio. I've yet to use it and keep it in a Faraday bag.

[AKKuya]

Are you writing the binary code on a piece of paper?

[AKIron]

Are you writing the binary code on a piece of paper?

Writing on paper, with a stick on the ground, blood on your shirt, whatever would definitely be better than working it out in your head. Use what you have. Predefine a few words if that's all you need. Danger, safe, go, come, stay, run, hide, etc.... Code could be much simpler then.

[AKIron]

Use your ten fingers to count out the letter position/number. Takes 3 seconds to determine "o" is the 15th letter. If you haven't worked in IT counting 15 in binary will be harder to remember but use this:

32 16 8 4 2 1

Rather than starting A at 0 or dot start it at 1 or dash. That will make it easier to resolve in your head. Since I know 15 is one less than 16 all four bits below 16 will be ones.

32 16 8 4 2 1
          1 1 1 1

So "o" is transmitted as dash dash dash dash. I can do that in my head but I might need to write down the full phrase and then work it out in my head before sending.

[AKKuya]

Morse is designed for long distance communication.  Messages on paper for me is using book code.  I'm trained for that.  Ican teach that very easy.

Predefine a few words if that's all you need. Danger, safe, go, come, stay, run, hide, etc.... Code could be much simpler then.

That could work for a backup means of coded messages on the fly.  The brain has a way to memorize information.  It's better to have a coded system and techniques to decode without memorization.  Morse and your binary require 26 letters to be memorized in 2 different formats.  We have the WW2 phonetic alphabet, the law enforcement alphabet and current military alphabet.

If a group of people want to design a code system among themselves, then great for them to enjoy. 

 

[AKIron]

I worked this out in my head but wrote down 32 16 8 4 2 1 to help me convert decimal to binary.

Each letter is separated by silence the length of three dots. The words are separated by silence the length of three dashes.

B-2-10-dash dot
E-5-101-dash dot dash

P-16-10000 (you get it)
R-18-10010
E-5-101
P-16-10000
A-1-1
R-18-10010
E-5-101
D-4-100

[AKIron]

Morse is designed for long distance communication.  Messages on paper for me is using book code.  I'm trained for that.  Ican teach that very easy.

That could work for a backup means of coded messages on the fly.  The brain has a way to memorize information.  It's better to have a coded system and techniques to decode without memorization.  Morse and your binary require 26 letters to be memorized in 2 different formats.  We have the WW2 phonetic alphabet, the law enforcement alphabet and current military alphabet.

If a group of people want to design a code system among themselves, then great for them to enjoy.

The only thing you have to remember in my morse substitute is that each letter has a numerical value starting at 1 for A, 2 for B, etc... Then convert the decimal to binary and transmit the binary. Dot for 0, dash for 1.

[AKIron]

One more time. I'm not suggesting a better code than Morse. I'm suggesting a code that can be easily remembered and taught quickly  for hard times or emergencies. If you know Morse and others have the time to learn and memorize it then it's better. Whether it's house to house flashlights or a makeshift telegraph set up town to town using power lines that no longer have power.

[AKIron]

The original telegraphs used DC. If there are any transformers in your power line circuit you'll need to bypass them to use a DC type telegraph.

[AKIron]

Of course if you have to power to send telegraph signals between towns you could probably as easily send voice.

[nrshida]

-. . .-. -.. ...

-. . .-. -.. ...  -- .- -.- .  - .... .  .-- --- .-. .-.. -..  --. ---  .-. --- ..- -. -..

Of course if you have to power to send telegraph signals between towns you could probably as easily send voice.

Just an idle question but would it not be better for all if we put effort into ensuring civilisation did not break down rather than designing new eventualities for when it does?

[AKIron]

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

[Busher]

When you guys get done with this, I am dying to see what you're going to do with Semaphore.