International Morse Code
| A .- | K -.- | U ..- | 5 ..... |
| B -... | L .-.. | V ...- | 6 -.... |
| C -.-. | M -- | W .-- | 7 --... |
| D -.. | N -. | X -..- | 8 ---.. |
| E . | O --- | Y -.-- | 9 ----. |
| F ..-. | P .--. | Z --.. | 0 ----- |
| G --. | Q --.- | 1 .---- | Period .-.-.- |
| H .... | R .-. | 2 ..--- | Comma --..-- |
| I .. | S ... | 3 ...-- | Question Mark ..--.. |
| J .--- | T - | 4 ....- |
. indicates dot or "dit"
- indicates dash or "dah"
This is Morse code, which is sent as a string of dots and dashes. It was originally generated by a hand key, which in it's simplest form, is just a switch that makes and breaks an electric circuit for the duration of the dot or dash. Dashes are three times as long as dots. More recently, various mechanical and electronic devices, even computers, have been used to make the job easier. True CW enthusiasts, however, still send code using a hand key.
During the past decade, most government agencies have phased out CW as a method of communication (on their ships, Coast Guard stations, the military, etc.) in favour of modern methods of communication such as satellites. However, CW lives on among the million or more HAM radio operators world wide. For these operators, no other method of communication comes close.
Last updated on Thursday, 12 April 2007