Examine individual changes

'{{short description|Abbreviations commonly used in Morse code}} '''Morse code abbreviations''' are used to speed up Morse communications by foreshortening textual words and phrases. Morse abbreviations are short forms representing normal textual words and phrases formed from some (fewer) [[Character (symbol)|characters]] ''borrowed'' from the words or phrases being abbreviated.<ref group=lower-alpha>Morse code abbreviations are not the same as [[prosigns for Morse code|prosigns]]. Morse abbreviations are composed of (normal) textual alpha-numeric character symbols with normal Morse code inter-character spacing; the character symbols in abbreviations, unlike the delineated character groups representing Morse code prosigns, are not "run together" or [[concatenated]] in the way most prosigns are formed.</ref> From 1845 until well into the second half of the 20th century, [[Commercial code (communications)|commercial telegraphic code]] books were used to shorten telegrams, e.g. '''PASCOELA''' = "''Locals have plundered everything from the wreck.''"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dtc.umn.edu/~reedsj/codebooks.html |title=Commercial Telegraphic Code Books |editor=Reeds, James A. (Jim) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231034800/http://dtc.umn.edu/~reedsj/codebooks.html |archive-date=31 December 2008}}</ref> However, these cyphers are distinct from abbreviations. ==YO MAMA IS GAY BOIIIIIII!!!!!!!== The following Table of Morse code abbreviations and further references to [[Brevity code]]s such as [[Wire signal|92 Code]], [[Q code]], [[Z code]] and [[R-S-T system]] serve to facilitate fast and efficient Morse code communications. {| class="wikitable" |+'''<big>Table of selected Morse code abbreviations</big>''' |'''Abbreviation''' |'''Meaning''' |'''Defined in''' |'''Type of abbreviation''' |- | '''AA''' || All after (used after question mark to request a repetition) |ITU-R M.1172<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=https://www.itu.int/rec/R-REC-M.1172-0-199510-I/en |title=M.1172: Miscellaneous abbreviations and signals to be used for radiocommunications in the maritime mobile service |website=www.itu.int|access-date=2019-02-14}}</ref> |operating signal |- | '''AB''' || All before (similarly) |ITU-R M.1172<ref name=":0" /> |operating signal |- | '''ADRS''' ||[[Address (geography)|Address]] |ITU-T Rec. F.1<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-F.1/en|title=ITU-T Recommendation F.1: Telegraph service - Operating methods for the international public telegram service|date=Mar 1998}}</ref> |operating signal |- | '''ADS''' | Address | ITU-R M.1172<ref name=":0" /> | operating signal |- | '''AGN''' || Again | |operating signal |- |{{overline|AR}} |End of transmission. |ITU-R M.1172<ref name=":0" /> |operating signal |- |{{overline|AS}}|| Wait | |operating signal |- | '''BK''' || Break (to pause transmission of a message, say) |ITU-R M.1172<ref name=":0" /> |operating signal |- | '''BN''' || All between |ITU-R M.1172<ref name=":0" /> |operating signal |- | '''C''' ||[[Yes and no|Yes]]; correct | |operating signal |- | '''CFM''' || Confirm |ITU-R M.1172<ref name=":0" /> |operating signal |- | '''CK''' || Check | | |- | '''CL''' || Closing (I am closing my station) |ITU-R M.1172<ref name=":0" /> |operating signal |- | '''CQ''' ||[[CQ (call)|Calling]] ... (calling all stations, any station) |ITU-R M.1172<ref name=":0" /> |operating signal |- | '''CQD''' || All stations distress (used preceding '''SOS''' to let all operators know of an impending distress signal) | |operating signal |- | '''CS''' || Call sign (used to request a call sign) |ITU-R M.1172<ref name=":0" /> | |- | '''DE''' || From (or "this is") |ITU-R M.1172<ref name=":0" /> |operating signal |- | '''DX''' || Distance (sometimes refers to long distance contact), foreign countries | | |- | '''FM''' || From | |operating signal |- | '''FWD''' || Forward | | |- | '''II''' || I say again | | |- | '''K''' || Invitation to transmit |ITU-R M.1172<ref name=":0" />, ITU-R M.1677-1<ref name="ITU_rec_morse" /> |operating signal |- |{{overline|KN}}|| Over to you; only the station named should respond (e.g. '''W7PTH DE W1AW''' {{overline|KN}}) |ITU-R M.1677-1<ref name="ITU_rec_morse" /> |operating signal |- | '''LID''' || Poor operator ('''L'''icensed '''ID'''iot) |Wire telegraph slang, same as '''PLUG''' | |- | '''MSG''' || Prefix indicating a [[message]] to or from the master of a ship concerning its operation or navigation |ITU-R M.1172<ref name=":0" /> | |- | '''N''' || [[Yes and no|No]]; [[9 (number)|nine]] | | |- | '''NIL''' || I have [[nothing]] to send you |ITU-R M.1172<ref name=":0" /> | |- | '''NR''' || [[Number]] follows | |operating signal |- | '''OK''' || [[Okay]] |ITU-R M.1172<ref name=":0" />, ITU-T Rec. F.1<ref name=":1" /> |operating signal |- | '''PLS''' || Please |ITU-T Rec. F.1<ref name=":1" /> | |- | '''PPR''' || Paper |ITU-T Rec. F.1<ref name=":1" /> | |- | '''PSE''' || Please |ITU-R M.1172<ref name=":0" /> | |- | '''PX''' || [[Prefix]] | | |- | '''R''' || Received as transmitted (origin of "Roger") |ITU-T Rec. F.1<ref name=":1" /> |operating signal |- | '''RPT''' || Report / Repeat please / I repeat as follows |ITU-R M.1172<ref name=":0" />, ITU-T Rec. F.1<ref name=":1" /> | |- | '''RST''' || Signal report format (Readability-Signal Strength-Tone) | |operating signal |- | '''SFR''' || So far (proword) | | |- | '''SIG''' || [[Signature]] |ITU-T Rec. F.1<ref name=":1" /> | |- |{{overline|SK}} || Out (prosign), end of contact | |operating signal |- | '''SK''' || Silent Key (a deceased radio amateur) |Amateur radio slang | |- | '''SVP''' || Please (''[[French language|French]]'': "S'il vous plaît") |ITU-T Rec. F.1<ref name=":1" /> | |- | '''W''' || Word / Words |ITU-T Rec. F.1<ref name=":1" /> | |- | '''WA''' || Word after |ITU-R M.1172<ref name=":0" /> |operating signal |- | '''WB''' || Word before |ITU-R M.1172<ref name=":0" /> |operating signal |- | '''WC''' ||[[Wilco (voice procedure)|Wilco]] | |operating signal |- | '''WD''' || [[Word]] / Words |ITU-R M.1172<ref name=":0" /> | |- | '''WX''' || [[Weather]] / Weather report follows |ITU-R M.1172<ref name=":0" /> | |- | '''Z''' || Zulu time i.e. UTC | |operating signal |- | '''73''' || [[Valediction#Regards, kind regards, best regards|Best regards]] | |92 Code |- | '''88''' || [[Love]] and [[kiss]]es | |92 Code |} == An amateur radio Morse code conversation example == To make Morse code communications faster and more efficient, there are many internationally agreed patterns or conventions of communication which include: extensive use of abbreviations, use of [[brevity code]]s such as [[92 Code]], [[RST code]], [[Q code]], [[Z code]] as well as the use of [[Prosigns for Morse code|Morse prosigns]]. The skills required to have efficient fast conversations with Morse comprise more than simply knowing the Morse code symbols for the alphabet and numerals. Skilled telegraphists must also know many traditional International Morse code communications conventions. In the following example of a typical casual Morse code conversation between two stations there is extensive use of such: Morse code abbreviations, brevity codes, [[Prosigns for Morse code|Morse procedural signs]], and other such conventions. An example casual Morse code (CW) conversation between Station&nbsp;S1 and Station&nbsp;S2 is illustrated in the following paragraphs. Here the actual Morse code information stream sent by each station (S1 and S2) is shown in bold face type, in a grey box, and is followed below each bold face transmission by an ''interpretation'' of the message sent, together with short explanations of the codes. These translations and explanations are shown below each station's indicated transmission data stream. :''S1 transmits Morse message:'' {{Ivmbox|bg=#F9F9F9|1='''CQ CQ CQ DE S1 K'''}} Calling anyone ('''CQ CQ CQ''') from ('''DE''') station S1. Over to anyone ('''K'''). :''S2 transmits Morse message:'' {{Ivmbox|bg=#F9F9F9|1= '''S1 DE S2 {{overline|KN}}''' }} To station S1 from station S2. Over to you only. :({{overline|KN}} = "–·–&thinsp;–·" is the unofficial prosign for inviting a reply only from the station named in the message; it is the same as the code for open parentheses [(] punctuation symbol.<ref name=ITU_rec_morse/>) :''S1 transmits Morse message:'' {{Ivmbox|bg=#F9F9F9|1= '''S2 DE S1 = GA DR OM UR RST 5NN HR = QTH TIMBUKTU = OP IS JOHN = HW? S2 DE S1 {{overline|KN}}''' }} To station S2 from station S1.<br/> Good afternoon dear old man. You are RST 599 here :(Note: '''RST''' is the '''R'''eadability, '''S'''trength, and '''T'''one report code; the '''N'''s are abbreviations for the number '''9'''. '''RST 5NN''' reports the signal is very readable ('''5''') and very strong, with very good tone. I'm located ('''QTH''') in Timbuktu.<br/> The station operator's ('''OP''') name is John.<br/> How do you copy? ('''HW?''') <br/> To station S2 from station S1: Over to you only. :(Note that the equal signs [=] in the code should be interpreted here as the ''new section'' [[prosign]] which is also the symbol for a ''double hyphen'' [=].<ref name=ITU_rec_morse/> See discussion in [[#aside_shared_codes|subsection below]].) :''S2 transmits Morse message:'' {{Ivmbox|bg=#F9F9F9|1= '''S1 DE S2 = TNX FB RPRT DR OM JOHN UR 559 = QTH HIMALAYA = NM IS ANDY S1 DE S2 {{overline|KN}}''' }} To station S1 from station S2.<br/> Thanks for the good report dear old man John. I read you 559 <br/> :('''FB''' or ''Fine Business'' means "good".) :(very readable ('''5'''), average strength ('''5'''), very good tone ('''9''').) I am in ('''QTH''') the Himalayas. <br/> My name ('''NM''') is Andy. <br/> To station S1 from station S2: Over to you only. :''S1 transmits Morse message:'' {{Ivmbox|bg=#F9F9F9|1= '''S2 DE S1 = OK TNX QSO DR ANDY = 73 ES HPE CUAGN S2 DE S1 {{overline|KN}}''' }} To station S2 from station S1.<br/> Okay, thanks for this conversation ('''QSO'''), dear Andy.<br/> Best regards ('''73''') and ('''ES''') hope ('''HPE''') to see you again ('''CUAGN''') <br/> To station S2 from station S1: Over to you only. :''S2 sends Morse message:'' {{Ivmbox|bg=#F9F9F9|1= '''S1 DE S2 = R TU CUAGN 73 S1 DE S2 {{overline|SK}}''' }} To station S1 from station S2.<br/> Roger ('''R''') <br/> Thank you ('''TU''') see you again ('''CUAGN''') Best regards ('''73''') <br/> To station S1 from station S2: Signing off. :({{overline|SK}} = "···–·–" = ''end of work'' [[prosign]] = "no more messages") ==Aside on shared codes{{anchor|aside_shared_codes}}== In International Morse code there is no ''distinct'' dot-dash sequence defined only for the mathematical equal sign ['''=''']; rather the same code ('''–···–''' or ''dah di di di dah'') is shared by ''double hyphen'' ['''='''] and the [[Prosigns for Morse code|procedural sign]] for ''section separator'' notated as {{overline|BT}}. It is fairly common in the ''Recommended International Morse Code'' for punctuation codes to be shared with prosigns. For example, the code for plus or cross [+] is the same as the prosign for ''end of telegram'', and the widely used but non-[[International Telecommunications Union|ITU]] "Over to you only" prosign {{overline|KN}} is the official code for open parenthesis ['''('''] or ''left bracket''.<ref name=ITU_rec_morse>[[International Telecommunications Union]]. (2009-10). ''International Morse code ITU-R M.1677-1''. Geneva, Switzerland: ITU.</ref> The listener is required to distinguish the meaning by context. In the example casual conversation between two station operators, above, the Morse transmissions in the grey boxes show the equal sign ['''='''] in the same way that a simple electronic automatic Morse code reader with a one- or two-line display does: It can't distinguish context so it always displays the math symbol. It would also display an open parentheses ['''('''] for the ''over to you only'' prosign. The use of the ''end of section'' prosign {{overline|BT}} in casual exchanges essentially indicates a new paragraph in the text or a new sentence, and is a little more convenient to send than a ''full stop'' ['''.'''] required for telegrams. Normally an operator copying Morse code by hand or typewriter would decide whether the equal sign ['''='''] or the "new section" prosign {{overline|BT}} was meant and start ''new paragraph'' in the recorded text upon reception of the code. This new paragraph copying convention is illustrated in the following example conversation. When decoding in one's head, instead of writing text on paper or into a computer file, the receiving operator copying mentally will interpret the {{overline|BT}} prosign for either a mental pause, or to jot down for later reference a short word or phrase from the information being sent. == Informal language-independent conversations == ''Rag chewer'' is a name applied to amateur radio Morse code operators who engage in informal Morse code conversations (known as ''chewing the rag'') while discussing subjects such as: the weather, their location, signal quality, and their equipment. Meaningful rag chewing between fluent Morse code operators having different native languages is possible because of a common language provided by the [[prosigns for Morse code]], the International [[Q code]], [[Z code]], [[RST code]], the telegraph era [[Phillips Code]] and many well known Morse code abbreviations as discussed in this Wikipedia article. Together all of these traditional conventions serve as a somewhat cryptic but commonly understood language (Lingua Franca) within the worldwide community of amateur radio Morse code operators. These codes and protocols efficiently encode many well known statements and questions from many languages into short simple character groups which may be sent manually very quickly. The international [[Q code]] for instance encodes literally hundreds of full normal language sentences and questions in short three character codes each beginning with the character&nbsp;'''Q'''. For example, the code word '''QTH''' means ''My location is''. If this code word is followed by a question mark as '''QTH?''' it means ''What is your location?''. Typically very few full words will be spelled out in Morse code conversations. Often vowels are left out to shorten transmissions and turn overs. Other examples, of internationally recognized usages of Morse code abbreviations and well known code numbers, such as those of the [[Phillips Code]] from past eras of telegraph technology, are usages such as '''WX''' for weather, or the numbers '''73''' for ''best regards'' and '''88''' for ''love and kisses''. These techniques are similar to, and often faster than, texting on modern cellphones. Using this extensive ''[[Lingua franca|Lingua Franca]]'' that is widely understood across many languages and cultures, surprisingly meaningful Morse code conversations can be efficiently conducted with short transmissions independently of native languages, even between operators who cannot actually communicate by voice because of language barriers! With heavy use of the [[Q code]] and Morse Code Abbreviations, surprisingly meaningful conversations can readily occur. Note that in the preceding example conversation very few full English words have been used. In fact, in the above example S1 and S2 might not speak the same native language. Of course, real rag-chewing (lengthy conversations) could not be accomplished by non-native speakers without such a common language. [[Contesting|Contesters]] often use a very specialized and even shorter format for their contacts. Their purpose is to process as many contacts as possible in a limited time (e.g. 100&ndash;150&nbsp;contacts per hour). ==See also== *[[92 Code]] *[[ACP-131]] *[[Brevity code]] *[[Prosigns for Morse code]] *[[Phillips Code]] *[[Q code]] *[[R-S-T system|R-S-T System]] *[[Z code]] ==Footnotes== {{notelist}} ==References== {{reflist}} {{Morse code}} [[Category:Morse code]] [[Category:Operating signals]] [[Category:Brevity codes]]'