jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,352
Morse or no morse
- Thread starter Jacktar
- Start date
Years ago friend of mine tried to get bridge tender to open bridge in ft myers, blew horn 3 times, circled with lights flashing 3 times, called on vhf 3 times, finally resorted (alleged while in cups) firing 3 shots from shark rifle thru top of bridge tender window. Bridge opened up.
Uhh, hate to correct this, but ... That's not an international distress signal. It's actually just a ColReg sound signal (Rule 34) for operating reverse propulsion. There are sixteen actual distress signals, some visual, some electronic, some sound:
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,352
It feels like a boater that does not understand a distress signal is like a car driver that does not know what a stop sign means.
The question that comes to mind... Should they be allowed to use a boat on the water?
I believe some states have begun to require a basic boating certification to permit the use of a boat in their waters. Such a class would be an excellent place to have the SOS discussion as well as a review of "Internationally" accepted signs of distress and the requirement to render aid if possible.
The question that comes to mind... Should they be allowed to use a boat on the water?
I believe some states have begun to require a basic boating certification to permit the use of a boat in their waters. Such a class would be an excellent place to have the SOS discussion as well as a review of "Internationally" accepted signs of distress and the requirement to render aid if possible.
And the flashing white light has to be 50-70 hz. 120 hz. is for attention, not distress. That could easily be mistaken for a marker.
SOS is unambiguous.
No, that's not quite right.
"CQ" means "a general call to all stations." When hams (or others) want to make contact with anyone out there who happens to hear them, they will send or say "CQ" followed by their call sign, indicating that they are putting out a general call. It was also used generally (in non-ham contexts as well) for a broadcast of general interest. The addition of "D" does stand for distress. But "CQ" itself does not stand for "come quickly."
But was old telegraphers, who were "SEEking You" or the unknown "You" .
Thus "CQ", the quick sent, rhythmic morse code.
Jim...
From Wikipedia on CQ...
"In English-speaking countries, the origin of the abbreviation was popularly changed to the phrase "seek you"
dit dit dit dit __ dit dit ______ dit dit dit dit __ dit dit
Jim...
PS: A few HAM's in NASA launched a ARRL satellite and that Morse code above was sent by that Satellite.
PSS: Morse code laughter or now LOL in texting
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While CQ does mean Seek You when it is alone, that doesn’t mean it’s the same when it’s CQD. Either that or the many books I have read on Titanic and other ships of the era using this distress call are all wrong and you guys are right. Also just because something is some way today, doesn’t mean it was that same way over 100 years ago as well. So I’m going to stick with the historical books I have read on the subject, you guys stick to whatever you think.
You are correct.From Wikipedia on CQ...
"In English-speaking countries, the origin of the abbreviation was popularly changed to the phrase "seek you"
dit dit dit dit __ dit dit ______ dit dit dit dit __ dit dit
Jim...
PS: A few HAM's in NASA launched a ARRL satellite and that Morse code above was sent by that Satellite.
PSS: Morse code laughter or now LOL in texting
That would have been the Echo series of balloon satellites of the 60's.From Wikipedia on CQ...
"In English-speaking countries, the origin of the abbreviation was popularly changed to the phrase "seek you"
dit dit dit dit __ dit dit ______ dit dit dit dit __ dit dit
Jim...
PS: A few HAM's in NASA launched a ARRL satellite and that Morse code above was sent by that Satellite.
PSS: Morse code laughter or now LOL in texting
As for the historical account written by non-communications people, they always try to explain why a certain series of morse code is used. CQ might have been around long before it was used on ships because if we look back in history, we find that telegraph was used on railroads, and were really point to point. So CQ may not have been used then. But... it very well could have been a preamble on telegraph with an indicator that I have a message for you, are you there? It is also possible that CQ could have been followed by a station ID so as not to be answered by everyone "down the line". I personally don't know and therefore am one of those non-communication people writing this. LOL
But back to Titanic and Morse. It was known at the time that when Titanic sent the CQD message, there was some (or one?) ships near by (within 100 NM). But they were not of the White Star Line and therefore did not feel they were responsible to assist. The Carpathia which was farther away, was also not of the White Star Line, but did respond. Rules have changed now.