Thursday, October 11, 2012

The Origin And Use Of Morse Code

By Juliette Cruz


Since the 19th Century Morse Code has remained as a useful code. As a signal code used in sending messages that are not encoded using cipher or any type of code, it is applicable in many methods of communication. Messages are sent using sounds that relate to particular letters of the alphabet and numbers. The code can be sent through radio signals, the telegraph or even using a flash light.

Samuel F. B Morse developed the code in the year 1835. He initially developed the code as a way of sending messages over a long distance through the use of a telegraph. His invention was adopted in military operations where it was used by soldiers to communicate to each other and send messages. They did this through letters made up of sounds of ones and twos.

Later on during the 1840s it slowly started to evolve and the use of flashing light signals and dashes and dots were introduced. It continued to be a preserve for military operations even during the Second World War. However at this time it was being used alongside other different codes that were an improvement of it. The soldiers continued to send important information between each other during their operations.

As the code evolved it became one of the high speed communication methods. In the 20th Century its speed which was now being measured in words per minute (WPM) increased. Different methods of sending it were also introduced such as using radio circuits, telegraph lines and under sea cables. However as the age of industrialization started, it became difficult to introduce it to machine language, ASCII. This was mainly due to the length of the characters that were used.

Originally the design of the code only allowed for human interpretation. This eliminated the need for any decoding device which are still not needed to date. Although it has become unpopular when compared to other long distance communication methods, air craft controllers and pilots still find it useful in their professions.

In the aviation field most of the people, especially those that work in flight operations, need to understand Morse Code. This is a precautionary measure that is used in case of any emergency situations that may arise and there are no other forms of communication available. In such situations, any improvised method can be used to send it. However in normal scenarios, navigational aids are still using it to send messages.

In the digital technology, the code remains inadequate. None of the digital equipment can use it. The characters used do not have a standard sending length. This is one of the disadvantages that made it unfavorable in many military operations as it can be time consuming in urgent cases.

The translation of a message sent through Morse Code takes time. Each character has its own number of symbols. The main reason why the code remains popular is the fact that it eases communication. Even when there are different people speaking different languages. This is the why it is popular in navigation and safety operations.




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