Morse Code Sound Patterns (Alphabet)

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Note: By concensus of many morse instructors in over a century of teaching morse code, it is generally considered counter-productive to learn the morse alphabet visually (i.e., as dashes and dots). What came about, then, to emphasize the need to learn morse aurally (just as it would be used on-the-air), are the word sounds "di" (or "dit", a short staccato sound) and "DAH" (a heavier, longer sound). Even these are approximations, but one needs to start someplace.

Timing: In real practice, using tonal sounds (as one would encounter on-the-air), the "DAH" is ideally three times the duration of the "dit". The spacing between dits and DAHS (within a single character) is equal in duration to a silent "dit". The spacing between characters is equal to the duration of a silent "DAH". And the standard spacing between words is equal to the duration of a silent character "A" (i.e., dit-DAH).

Speed: In words-per-minute (wpm), speed is taken to mean the number of times the word "PARIS", using standard timing as explained above, will exactly fit into one minute. I recommend one have the ability to copy (and send) with 90% accuracy at 10 wpm before attempting to communicate "on-the-air".

Sending: It is a common misconception that if one learns to RECEIVE morse code, sending skills will come automatically. This misconception can lead to a disastrous first experience on-the-air. Sending involves mechanical skills, the timing for which can only be learned by actual practice. The classic choice for practicing sending is a hand key and code practice oscillator. There are other choices available (keyers with dual and single-lever paddles, mechanical "bugs", and keyboards or computers). The choice is yours, but I highly recommend resisting the temptation to use keyboards/PC's, unless you have a physical disability that necessitates it, because you'll be missing out on half of the CW experience.

MORSE CODE PATTERNS

Character

Pattern

 

Character

Pattern

 

 

 

 

 

A

di-DAH

 

N

DAH-dit

B

DAH-di-di-dit

 

O

DAH-DAH-DAH

C

DAH-di-DAH-dit

 

P

di-DAH-DAH-dit

 

 

 

 

 

D

DAH-di-dit

 

Q

DAH-DAH-di-DAH

E

dit

 

R

di-DAH-dit

F

di-di-DAH-dit

 

S

di-di-dit

 

 

 

 

 

G

DAH-DAH-dit

 

T

DAH

H

di-di-di-dit

 

U

di-di-DAH

I

di- dit

 

V

di-di-di-DAH

 

 

 

 

 

J

di-DAH-DAH-DAH

 

W

di-DAH-DAH

K

DAH-di-DAH

 

X

DAH-di-di-DAH

L

di-DAH-di-dit

 

Y

DAH-di-DAH-DAH

 

 

 

 

 

M

DAH-DAH

 

Z

DAH-DAH-di-dit

 

Number

Pattern

 

Punctuation

Pattern

 

 

 

 

 

1

di-DAH-DAH-DAH-DAH

 

Dash (pause)

DAH-di-di-di-DAH

2

di-di-DAH-DAH-DAH

 

Period ( . )

di-DAH-di-DAH-di-DAH

3

di-di-di-DAH-DAH

 

Comma ( ,  )

DAH-DAH-di-di-DAH-DAH

4

di-di-di-di-DAH

 

Question ( ? )

di-di-DAH-DAH-di-dit

5

di-di-di-di-dit

 

Slant ( / )

DAH-di-di-DAH-dit

 

 

 

 

 

6

DAH-di-di-di-dit

 

 

 

7

DAH-DAH-di-di-dit

 

 

 

8

DAH-DAH-DAH-di-dit

 

 

 

9

DAH-DAH-DAH-DAH-dit

 

 

 

0

DAH-DAH-DAH-DAH-DAH

 

 

 

 

Special

Pattern

 

 

Error

di-di-di-di-di-di-di-dit

Error (alternate)

di-dit       dit-dit

Break (BK)

DAH-di-di-di-DAH-di-DAH

 

 

End-of-Message (AR)

di-DAH-di-DAH-dit

End-of-QSO (SK)

di-di-di-DAH-di-DAH

Please Wait (AS)

di-DAH-di-di-dit

 

 

Specific Station Only
- Go Ahead -

DAH-di-DAH-DAH-dit