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Koch method to learn Morse

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Re: Koch method to learn Morse

#41

Post by srvmshr »

exitb wrote: post #31

Note that in a ham radio setting, morse code is only part of the equation. The conversations typically follow patterns that aren't very readable, even when transcribed to ASCII. http://lidscw.org/resources/cq-qso-template

While training for Amateur radio license, I came across interesting things which I hadn't observed before, mainly to do with the ProSigns (like the SOS °°°---°°°)

* There is no word in English dictionary with HH (°°°° °°°°). Hence it's a code to indicate scratch the last word.

* The washing machines & microwaves of many manufacturers often beeped AS (°-°°° i.e. Wait) in Morse when they were done, to indicate machine is "standing by"

Re: Koch method to learn Morse

#42

Post by onenukecourse »

arjvik wrote: post #2

Is there a good reason to learn Morse in modern day besides just for kicks? Some sort of survival situation in which your only form of communication would be Morse, and you can't get out of it by sending ASCII binary? Not knocking on anybody's learning for fun, just curious.

My wife and I have wanted to learn it for years so we could communicate to each other while holding hands. But who has the time?

Re: Koch method to learn Morse

#43

Post by Daub »

My father, who my entire family suspects is autistic, used to communicate with me at mealtimes using whistled more code. I learned a bit but have forgotten it all now, just as I have forgotten the Spanish that my mother taught me.

Re: Koch method to learn Morse

#44

Post by gw99 »

roenxi wrote: post #3
arjvik wrote: post #2

Is there a good reason to learn Morse in modern day besides just for kicks? Some sort of survival situation in which your only form of communication would be Morse, and you can't get out of it by sending ASCII binary? Not knocking on anybody's learning for fun, just curious.

Why rule out a survival situation? While nuclear missiles would probably just end all life, there are a broad spectrum of other things that can go wrong in the next decade that just take out power grids. It would be good to be ready with more robust technology than GPS-aware microchips, I can see how it could come in handy. I'm seeing a lot of energy security issues out there, and there are extreme economic pressures…

I would 100% completely rule it out in survival situations. The probability of making a contact and that contact being of use is very low. There are far more productive uses of your time than bashing brass. I say that as a regular QRP CW operator.

In a survival situation you're better off with VHF/UHF HTs and a tested network of people that you already know who have them and how to use them. And even that is of dubious use.

Re: Koch method to learn Morse

#45

Post by HoraceSchemer »

srvmshr wrote: post #41
exitb wrote: post #31

Note that in a ham radio setting, morse code is only part of the equation. The conversations typically follow patterns that aren't very readable, even when transcribed to ASCII. http://lidscw.org/resources/cq-qso-template

While training for Amateur radio license, I came across interesting things which I hadn't observed before, mainly to do with the ProSigns (like the SOS °°°---°°°) * There is no word in English dictionary with HH (°°°° °°°°). Hence it's a code to indicate scratch the last word. * The washing machines & microwaves of many manufacturers often beeped AS (°-°°° i.e. Wait) in Morse when they were done, to indicate machine…

> There is no word in English dictionary with HH (°°°° °°°°).

Beachhead

Re: Koch method to learn Morse

#46

Post by Daub »

My father, who is an expert in matters relating to early wireless, was asked by the National Geographic to recreate the SOS message sent by the Titanic. This has historical significance as it was the first time that the SOS was used. In order to make it as authentic as possible, he used an ancient brass Morse code key wired to a spark transmitter. The spark signal was picked up by an old radio he had wired up to a tape recorder.

Caveat: I may have got a few details wrong. It’s been a long time since he shared the story.

Re: Koch method to learn Morse

#47

Post by wl »

lupire wrote: post #20
deaddabe wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Initially, I learned it for fun and ham radio emitting. But I find it fascinating that you can use it with anything that can be turned on and off with a rythm. I used a flashlight to say "hello" while waiting for a fireworks event, but the other person far away just blinked their flashlight randomly in response. I guess it could be used for worst scenario speech, like blinking eyes for examples if I ever have a terri…

Use double tones/knocks if you don't have long.

This is a bad idea. You'll make a dah sound like two or three badly timed dits.

Copying morse code by ear is all about the rhythm. You can hear the rhythm just fine with simple knocks or taps.

Re: Koch method to learn Morse

#48

Post by Twisol »

HoraceSchemer wrote: post #45
srvmshr wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While training for Amateur radio license, I came across interesting things which I hadn't observed before, mainly to do with the ProSigns (like the SOS °°°---°°°) * There is no word in English dictionary with HH (°°°° °°°°). Hence it's a code to indicate scratch the last word. * The washing machines & microwaves of many manufacturers often beeped AS (°-°°° i.e. Wait) in Morse when they were done, to indicate machine…

> There is no word in English dictionary with HH (°°°° °°°°). Beachhead

More commonly, "uhh", "ahh", and "ehh" (and their elongations) -- though I imagine their function is either fulfilled in other ways in Morse (prosigns?) or simply not needed.

Re: Koch method to learn Morse

#49

Post by wrycoder »

whoooooo123 wrote: post #23
lupire wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Use double tones/knocks if you don't have long.

Then how do you distinguish between "long" and "two shorts"?

Original Morse telegraph was not done by tones.

The sounder emitted two clicks, subtlety different, for each key down/up event.

So, a dit would be two clicks with a short interval, while a dah would be two clicks with a longer (3x?) interval.

Re: Koch method to learn Morse

#50

Post by wrycoder »

jimpudar wrote: post #6
arjvik wrote: post #2

Is there a good reason to learn Morse in modern day besides just for kicks? Some sort of survival situation in which your only form of communication would be Morse, and you can't get out of it by sending ASCII binary? Not knocking on anybody's learning for fun, just curious.

In the US, you no longer need to learn Morse to get any of the amateur licenses. Most people who are learning it today are doing it just for fun.

Like ham radio itself.
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