Morse Code Eliminated by FCC

We've been through this before, at length. Morse code is an alphabet, not a language. If it was a language, a German could readily communicate with an American, using only morse code. But they can't.

A German CAN send a text to an American, and he can copy it down, not even knowing a word of what it says. If he hands it to another German, he will be able to read it with no problem.

If morse code is a language, then "typewritten" is also a language; but it's not.

Joe

 

I for one am going to continue learning code. I started 11 years ago in the Navy, before I was told to stop, as the requirement know code was dropped. I enjoyed it then and now for its music like quality. Now that I have the resources to learn I will not stop. If the FCC says I do not need it then so be it. I say I need it. So I will learn it and use it. If it speeds up the process to get on the bands by not having the code test then I will use it to my advantage to hear it and to try my hand at responding. Yes it is an end to a sanctioned era, but not the entire era. IMHO
73 KI4REX

 

You are either naive or smarter than you appear and are trying to be naive. I dont know which it is. Do you know what an alphabet is. An alphabet is a system of signs or symbols (dits and dahs) by which a language is conceived. In learning the English language you probably learned your  A B C's. Think back to when you were in first grade. It may help you in your arguments. If you dont know the language of radio you cant be considered a radio operator unless of course you believe a soccer mom listening to Rush Limbaugh on the radio while driving her new SUV to practice is a radio operator. This is too easy.

Russ

 

Again you make some good points and I agree with some of your assertions. I would also enjoy working you in the wonderful world of short wave radio.

73 Russ

 

If that's meant to be a question, the last symbol should be '?' rather than '.'.

And yes, I do know what an alphabet is.

And that's not it.

No apostrophe necessary. That's a plural, not a possessive.

That's "don't". The apostrophe is required in a contraction.

I correct your typography to make a point: The alphabet used in a language is not the language. The interrogative sign and apostrophe are part of the English language but not part of the Latin alphabet.

Nor does an alphabet define a language: Is "CCCP" an English acronym? No. The letters, although I abuse latin-1 to write them, aren't even in the Latin alphabet. They're Cyrillic and from Russian. The sentence "Je n'est ce pas." uses the same Latin alphabet as this English text does, but is definitely not an English sentence.

Nor do all languages even have alphabets. The language which has the most primary speakers in the world today is Mandarin Chinese and its dialects. Mandarin has no alphabet.

In its simplest meaning, "Morse code" is one of many ways to encode the Latin alphabet and a handful of typographic symbols, mostly punctuation marks. It is an encoding.

But even in the sense that people who prefer to call Morse code a "language" mean "Morse code", that is, an encoding and a set of procedures using it, including certain abbreviations, it is still not a language. It is a means of encoding that can be used to encode many different languages.

".--- . / -. .----. . ... - / -.-. . / .--. .- ... .-.-.- " is perfectly valid Morse code. But it's not English, and if you don't happen to speak French you won't know what it means.

In case you do speak French, let me make the example in a language you are less likely to speak. "-. .. / .... .- --- / -- .- ..--.." Feel free to answer it, preferably in Arabic, using Morse code.

 

Thanks for the comic relief Hi HI. You should however take up your difference with what the meaning of an alphabet and language is with Mr. Webster and not me. Your arguing with the wrong guy.

You do realize though you look desperate and hopeless in your arguments. I must say you are doing your best but having to try and split hairs in order to  explain your case - guys it looks bad.  No you are being required  to split not human hair but frog hair (much finer) and then quartering those hairs again to try and make your position suitable to counter my proposition.  Try and broaden your vision. It will make for a more impressive presentation of your position. Minutia on this dosent make your point more persuasive unless you are trying to argue with a language professor. Having said that allow me try to put this in a manner you may see more clearly.  If it helps you to grasp the concept (thats what you are missing here)  lets use the term vernacular. Lets say that Morse code is the vernacular language of radio. Is that more agreeable. I hope so.

If you cant copy the language of radio it's hard to see how you are a radio operator. Watching a computer screen as digital messages are decode by a piece of equipment dosent make for a radio operator. I think more people could be sold on joining the "Association of Digital Communicators" than Amateur Radio. Throw out the test to attrack the geek squad and throw out the term radio to do the same. Think about it. You know it's true.

I guess you guys are the marketing experts. Maybe you know best.

Russ

 

Marty is absolutely right. Morse code IS a code, by definition. That code represents letters of our alphabet, or other punctuation and numbers. But it is not a language, by definition.

The ONLY meaning associated with morse code is a cross connection to an associated letter, number, or punctuation mark. If morse is a language, then so is your keyboard. If I type "pan", it means something in the English language. It also means something in Spanish, but the two meanings are totally different. Morse code itself carries no meaning if the letters encoded are not in a language that is understood, even if the characters are sent and received with 100% accuracy.

If morse was a language, any two people that understood morse should be able to communicate using only morse. But they can't.

Two people that understand written English can communicate, but two people that understand morse can't necessarily communicate.

Joe

 

You are the one desperatly holding on to the notion that Morse Code is a language Russ.

Yes it played a big part in the early history when the only mode technicaly available was CW but they could have used any other code that rendered itself to on/off keying but fortunatly for samual morse his code was already widely used.

Personaly I have a much higher regard for Marcony and Herz, they where the first ham radio operators and they wheren't even interested in comunicating, they where experimentors, the most basic part of hamradio in my opinion but that is just mine and I don't get upset if anyone disagrees.

 

Ok I will give you the last word on the matter. I think we understand each others position. I too love the history of Hertz, Marconi, De Forest, Fessenden, and Armstrong.

73 Russ

 

Ok Joe you can have the last word on the issue. QSL your position on language.

73 and hope to see you on HF.

Russ