[net.ham-radio] Morse Code

rjr@mgweed.UUCP (Bob Roehrig) (10/04/83)

Thanks to all that responded to my Morse code question.

(Lindsay, there is a dit missing at the end of the quote character
you had in your chart - maybe the ARRL was wrong....)

I guess part of my confusion was due to an old article I had (I just
found it again) that was printed in 1939 and gave both the original
Morse code and the Continental code. The Continental (International)
Code is the same as we use today except for a few punctuation
differences. The Continental Code was created in 1875 at a convention
held in Russia. The differences in it and the code we use today are:

		1875		Today
    Period	.. .. ..	._._._
    Comma	._._._		__..__
    Exclamation	__..__		none 

I wonder when it got changed.

Bob, K9EUI

mstach@ihuxa.UUCP (Dan Hoelker) (07/17/84)

Into the fray ...........

I can't quite see the argument that Morse code is too much work to
learn.  I got my Novice license when I was 22, and thought it was a
heck of a lot easier than taking the test that I took 2 years earlier
to get my 2nd Class Radio-telephone license.
Besides, the 2nd class doesn't require any code.  It was just the volume
of information that needed to be learned to pass the written test 
that made it difficult.

I think it is just that old human problem of doing what you really want
to do and griping about the rest.  If a person REALLY wants to do
something they will re-arrange schedules, make the effort, and do
whatever else is necessary to get it done.  I don't think that 
Morse code is so difficult that anyone can't learn.  To get the
5 WPM all you have to do is memorize the characters.  I bet you have
to learn 26 new tasks when you buy a new IBM PC.  In this case you
have to memorize 26 new characters.  ( I suppose for the flamers I
should add that you have to learn 10 numbers and a few punctuation
marks.)  

Anyway, I feel better now.

				Dan Hoelker
				ihuxa!mstach
				KA9MHK

stephany.WBST@XEROX.ARPA@sri-unix.UUCP (07/20/84)

In repluy to Dan's  (KA9MHK) comments:

			HOORAY !!

					Joe  N2XS


PS:  I think some people put more argument time into saying why they
should not do something than the time it takes to do it.