Learn Morse Code

Morse code is a method of transmitting text as a series of short and long tones. It is named for Samuel F. B. Morse, an inventor of the telegraph. In the 1890s, Morse code began to be used extensively for early radio communication, before it was possible to transmit voice. Morse code is used by some amateur radio operators, although knowledge of and proficiency with it is no longer required for licensing in most countries.

Although Morse code is no longer required for amateur radio licensing, and it is no longer used by most military and government agencies, it is still a valuable tool for communication to and from remote areas. You can buy or build simple, inexpensive, low power radio transmitters and receivers that (with an amateur radio license) will enable you to communicate in Morse code across the world. Morse code will work even when all other more modern means of communication are disabled or rendered ineffective due to natural or man-made causes.

Using Morse code... 

• Signals can be sent with very little power, and simple ham radio transmitters can be built at a fraction of the cost of traditional voice radios.
• Morse code requires less signal bandwidth than voice communication.
• It is much easier to filter out background noise and hear even weak Morse code signals, making it an ideal platform for high noise / low signal environments.
• When nothing else works, Morse code works. 

Morse code takes some commitment, but it is not particularly difficult, to learn.  There are several on-line programs designed to teach you Morse code, a few of which I have listed here.

• Learn CW On-line - http://lcwo.net/ 
• Morse Trainer - http://www.g4fon.net/ 
• AA9PW Morse Code Practice - http://aa9pw.com/morsecode/

If you don’t have access to the Internet, the Gordon West, In-Depth Morse Code Learning Course for 0-5 WPM Audio CD,  and the Gordon West, Morse Code Speed Builder Course for 5-16 WPM   are excellent tools for learning Morse code.

Of course, to communicate with Morse code you need to be able to both send and receive it. Getting a Morse Code Practice Oscillator Straight Key allows you to practice sending Morse code, and should be part of your learning practice.   

Because Morse code is less commonly used today, many people who might be monitoring radio frequencies won’t understand what you are saying in Morse code. Of course, these people could always record your signals and play them for someone who knows Morse code to translate. But, this risk can be mitigated by using encryption.

The ADFGVX cipher is named after the six possible letters used in the ciphertext: A, D, F, G, V and X. These letters were chosen deliberately because they sound very different from each other when transmitted via Morse code. The intention was to reduce the possibility of operator error. Although this cipher was used by the Germans during the First World War, and has little practical value for governments today, it still may be of value to keep casual listeners from understanding your Morse code radio transmissions.

So, for fieldcraft, survival, and security, Morse code is a useful tool. If your survival plans include radio communication, then Morse code should be among your survival skills.