Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: AKIron on November 01, 2026, 07:03:51 PM
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Sometimes I lie in bed trying to go to sleep and the craziest ideas cross my mind. I don't know Morse Code. Looks like no pattern, just rote memorization. Why not a simple binary code incrementing for each letter and number? Dot for zero and dash for one. Starting with A at zero or dot. B-10, C-11, D-100, E-101. Anyone who can count in binary, which is very easy to learn, could decode a dot dash message.
No memorization needed. I could sit down anytime and write the table easily.
A 0
B 10
C 11
D 100
E 101
F 110
G 111
H 1000
...
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I guess there would be instances where one of the last letters with more dots/dashes would be the same as two shorter letters. Might have to skip some numbers which of course requires remembering. Or a silent space equivalent to a dash to separate characters. I don't know if/how letters are separated in Morse code.
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Here's the full code. Feel free to use it if the ship hits the sand and you need to quickly teach someone a way to communicate using lights at a distance or some other method that only allows for dot dash type signals.
0-a
10-b
11-c
100-d
101-e
110-f
111-g
1000-h
1001-i
1010-j
1011-k
1100-l
1101-m
1110-n
1111-o
10000-p
10001-q
10010-r
10011-s
10100-t
10101-u
10110-v
10111-w
11000-x
11001-y
11010-z
For simplicity we'll skip some for numbers:
100000-0
100001-1
100010-2
100011-3
100100-4
100101-5
100110-6
100111-7
101000-8
101001-9
Or keep a couple printed copies of Morse Code in your wallet. :)
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There are 10 types of people. Those that understand binary and those that don't.
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Become one that does if ya don't. Counting in binary works the same as in decimal except you have only two digits instead of 10.
In decimal each "place" can hold 0 through 9. When you increment past 9 you add a place that starts with 1 and the old place is set to zero.
7
8
9
10
Binary works the same except there is only a zero and 1.
0
1
10
11
100
101
110
111
1000
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But how would you send an 'a' by banging on a pipe, say? You need three states: one high, one low and none at all.
Are you aware of 'tap code'? U.S. airman used it in the Hanoi Hilton. It is said the North Vietnamese guards never discovered it.
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The code I've suggested is a replacement only for Morse code and the reason is because if both parties haven't committed Morse to memory or have it written down then it is meaningless. This code requires only that you know how to count in binary and know the order of the alphabet. It works the same as Morse with timing spaces, dots, and dashes. Two people with flashlights can communicate at a distance.
If you wanted a primitive encryption you could agree ahead of time to offset every character by starting 'A' at a predetermined count other than zero, i.e.
100 - A
101 - B
110 - C
....
The point I am making here is having a code that no one has to memorize but anyone could use once they understand a few basics. A "pipe" code with only bangs and spaces would be good to have also. If you can come up with something that doesn't require rote memorization for each character.
A little more on binary. Here's how you can convert to decimal.
32 16 8 4 2 1
0 1 0 0 0 1
Notice that each column increases in value (from right to left) by double the previous column. Sum all columns with a value of 1.
So 010001 (dot dash dot dot dot dash) = 17 and the 17th letter in alphabetical order is q
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If you extend those columns to 8 and use 4 sets then you'll understand IPv4 addresses.
128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1
Each of those columns can hold a "bit" which has a value of one or zero. If each column holds a 1 then the decimal equivalent is 255. When all columns are 1s then the decimal total will be one less than double the most significant column. In this case the most significant column is 128. 128x2=256 so all ones would one less than 256.
An 8 bit binary number is called an octet. An IPv4 address has 4 of those octets. If every bit in each of them is a one then their decimal value would be 255.255.255.255
Subnet masking is also part of the IPv4 address. I'll only note that starting from the most right bits the mask defines the division of the address into network and host parts. I won't go into detail on that here unless someone doesn't know and is curious.
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Tools and guns. You can't have too many of either but you can only bug out with so many. Just store this one away in the back of your mind. Takes up little space.
Flashlights used to have a button to accommodate using them for Morse code. Many don't now I think. Can always just use your hand over the end for signaling.
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So 010001 (dot dash dot dot dot dash) = 17 and the 17th letter in alphabetical order is q
But Q is --.- in Morse, which is shorter. And E is a single dot because it's the most common letter in the English language :old:
I think in the olden days there was quite some sophisticated thinking precisely because resources and equipment were limited and primitive.
Is your motivation then because you think Morse is hard to learn?
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I know morse code is a refined code. If you know it then use it when you need it. Of course the parties you are communicating with must know it also. If you don't know it and didn't stick copies in your wallet then here's an alternative you don't have to memorize. But feel free to wander around in the dark wondering if your scouting buddy half a mile away found a suitable camp site or is stuck in a tree with a bear after him.
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Seems I've stated my purpose in this but maybe it was missed. If you don't know Morse code and the ship hits the sand you probably aren't going to have time or the opportunity to memorize it. Assigning each letter a binary equivalent based on alphabetical order and counting in binary requires no additional memorization. If you read my posts then you already know my code.
I'll add something. To initiate communication you might agree to switch on your light, sweep it back and forth for 5 seconds. Repeat every 30 seconds until someone replies in the same manner. That will help you spot their location and communication can begin.
The exact procedure isn't important, only that both parties know what is expected.
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Morse was developed with the telegraph making the tap method simple. How would you transmit a binary code?
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Morse was developed with the telegraph making the tap method simple. How would you transmit a binary code?
Morse is a code made of dots, dashes, and silent spaces. It is essentially binary. A zero can represent a dot, a one a dash and silence is silence. All I've done is made it easy to recreate a code that works the same without having to memorize it. Using a telegraph or a flashlight, works the same. A long flash of light or long hold of the telegraph key is a dash/binary 1 and a short is a dot/binary 0. Spaces/silences of predetermined length separate letters and words.
If you don't know how to count in binary review my previous post, it shows how.
Don't leave your buddy stuck in that tree.
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As has already been stated, Morse is a better code. But it is completely useless if you and your buddy don't both know the code. If you know how to count in binary then you already know my code and can teach it to your buddy in 10 minutes if he knows how to count in binary.
Do you know Morse code? Does anyone here know Morse code?
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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. ;)
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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:
-. . .-. -.. ...
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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.
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Are you writing the binary code on a piece of paper?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Of course if you have to power to send telegraph signals between towns you could probably as easily send voice.
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-. . .-. -.. ...
-. . .-. -.. ... -- .- -.- . - .... . .-- --- .-. .-.. -.. --. --- .-. --- ..- -. -..
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?
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Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
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When you guys get done with this, I am dying to see what you're going to do with Semaphore.
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"A signal lamp is a semaphore system using a visual signaling device, often utilizing Morse code."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semaphore
Lamps won't work well in the daylight, at least at distance. Flags work in the day but not night. But how would you learn to signal with flags if you don't have a book about it handy? Ain't nobody got time for that.
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That's what ai is for...
.... .- ...- . / .- / --. .-. . .- - / -.. .- -.--
My little brother did the flags on the Carl Vinson back in the mid 80's..I still have his set..
Eagler
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And when all the power goes out and maybe never comes back? And electronics die in an instant? The time to prepare is before, not after.
You already know a code. Letters and numbers are code used for communication. You know their order. You know the letter A is number 1 and the letter Z is 26. Convert them to signals that can be transmitted beyond yelling or silently if needed. No reinventing the wheel here and no memorizing tables of dots and dashes or flag positions. Remember this and easily convert decimal to binary and vice versa.
32 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
I'm refining my code. You do yours however you want, or not.
All letters start with a 1/Dash. All numbers start with a 0/dot.
01-1
010- 2
011-3
0100-4
etc....
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And when all the power goes out and maybe never comes back? And electronics die in an instant? The time to prepare is before, not after.
Then we surely deserve the extinction we'll have created for ourselves.
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Then we surely deserve the extinction we'll have created for ourselves.
"Do not go gentle into that good night".
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When the power goes out, there will be a tremendous loss of life worldwide due to starvation, disease, lack of medicine, and warfare among the survivors. Trying to survive that scenario might make worrying about a binary code not practical.
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I wouldn't worry about it all. Unless I needed to communicate with someone at a distance and we have no working phones/radios.
Just a little something to add to your survival knowledge that doesn't require hours of study/memorization like learning morse code will and which even if you become at expert will do you no good if the person you need to warn or get help from does not know morse.
But, go ahead and be fatalistic if preparing to survive is too much trouble. Most won't prepare at all.
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8 billion people. I won't go hungry. :devil
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That's what ai is for...
.... .- ...- . / .- / --. .-. . .- - / -.. .- -.--
Same to you!
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8 billion people. I won't go hungry. :devil
Tastes like chicken.
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Tastes like chicken.
Nope. Steak.
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Nope. Steak.
Odds are you'll be served, not served.