CQD
Encyclopedia
CQD, transmitted in Morse code
as — · — · — — · — — · · is one of the first distress signals adopted for radio
use. It was announced on January 7, 1904, by "Circular 57" of the Marconi International Marine Communication Company
, and became effective, for Marconi installations, beginning February 1, 1904.
Land telegraphs had traditionally used "CQ"
("sécu" of sécurité) to identify messages of interest to all stations along a telegraph line, and CQ had also been adopted as a "general call" for maritime radio use. However, in landline usage there was no general emergency signal, so the Marconi company added a "D" ("distress") to CQ in order to create its distress call. Thus, "CQD" is understood by wireless operators to mean, "All stations: distress." Contrary to popular belief, CQD does not stand for "Come Quick, Danger", "Come Quickly Distress", or "Come Quick — Drowning!"; these are backronym
s.
Although used worldwide by Marconi operators, CQD was never adopted as an international standard since it could be mistaken for a general call "CQ" if the reception was poor. At the second International Radiotelegraphic Convention, held in Berlin
in 1906, Germany
's Notzeichen distress signal of three-dots/three-dashes/three-dots (· · · — — — · · · ) was adopted as the international Morse code distress signal. (This distress signal soon became known as "SOS
". Germany had first adopted this distress signal in regulations effective April 1, 1905.)
Between 1899 and 1908 there were 9 documented rescues made by the use of wireless. The first distress call was simply 'HELP'. By February 1904, the Marconi Wireless Company required all of its operators to use 'CQD' for a ship in distress, or requiring URGENT assistance. In the early morning of January 23, 1909, whilst sailing into New York from Liverpool, RMS Republic
collided with the Italian liner SS Florida in fog off the island of Nantucket, Massachusetts
, United States
. Radio OperatorJack Binns sent the CQD distress signal by wireless
transmission. His was the most famous use and rescue using wireless prior to the RMS Titanic.
In 1912, RMS Titanic radio operator Jack Phillips
initially sent "CQD", still commonly used by British ships. Harold Bride
, the junior radio operator, jokingly suggested the new code "SOS
" be used, thinking it might be the only time he would get to use it; Phillips began to alternate.
Morse code
Morse code is a method of transmitting textual information as a series of on-off tones, lights, or clicks that can be directly understood by a skilled listener or observer without special equipment...
as — · — · — — · — — · · is one of the first distress signals adopted for radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
use. It was announced on January 7, 1904, by "Circular 57" of the Marconi International Marine Communication Company
Marconi Company
The Marconi Company Ltd. was founded by Guglielmo Marconi in 1897 as The Wireless Telegraph & Signal Company...
, and became effective, for Marconi installations, beginning February 1, 1904.
Land telegraphs had traditionally used "CQ"
CQ (call)
CQ is a code used by wireless operators, particularly those communicating in Morse code, but also by voice operators, to make a general call . Transmitting the letters CQ on a particular radio frequency is an invitation for any operators listening on that frequency to respond...
("sécu" of sécurité) to identify messages of interest to all stations along a telegraph line, and CQ had also been adopted as a "general call" for maritime radio use. However, in landline usage there was no general emergency signal, so the Marconi company added a "D" ("distress") to CQ in order to create its distress call. Thus, "CQD" is understood by wireless operators to mean, "All stations: distress." Contrary to popular belief, CQD does not stand for "Come Quick, Danger", "Come Quickly Distress", or "Come Quick — Drowning!"; these are backronym
Backronym
A backronym or bacronym is a phrase constructed purposely, such that an acronym can be formed to a specific desired word. Backronyms may be invented with serious or humorous intent, or may be a type of false or folk etymology....
s.
Although used worldwide by Marconi operators, CQD was never adopted as an international standard since it could be mistaken for a general call "CQ" if the reception was poor. At the second International Radiotelegraphic Convention, held in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
in 1906, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
's Notzeichen distress signal of three-dots/three-dashes/three-dots (· · · — — — · · · ) was adopted as the international Morse code distress signal. (This distress signal soon became known as "SOS
SOS
SOS is the commonly used description for the international Morse code distress signal...
". Germany had first adopted this distress signal in regulations effective April 1, 1905.)
Between 1899 and 1908 there were 9 documented rescues made by the use of wireless. The first distress call was simply 'HELP'. By February 1904, the Marconi Wireless Company required all of its operators to use 'CQD' for a ship in distress, or requiring URGENT assistance. In the early morning of January 23, 1909, whilst sailing into New York from Liverpool, RMS Republic
RMS Republic (1903)
RMS Republic was a steam-powered ocean liner built in 1903 by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, and lost at sea in a collision six years later while sailing for the White Star Line. A CQD distress call was issued on the new Marconi radio device, the first recorded, resulting in the saving of around...
collided with the Italian liner SS Florida in fog off the island of Nantucket, Massachusetts
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Nantucket is an island south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in the United States. Together with the small islands of Tuckernuck and Muskeget, it constitutes the town of Nantucket, Massachusetts, and the coterminous Nantucket County, which are consolidated. Part of the town is designated the Nantucket...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Radio OperatorJack Binns sent the CQD distress signal by wireless
Wireless
Wireless telecommunications is the transfer of information between two or more points that are not physically connected. Distances can be short, such as a few meters for television remote control, or as far as thousands or even millions of kilometers for deep-space radio communications...
transmission. His was the most famous use and rescue using wireless prior to the RMS Titanic.
In 1912, RMS Titanic radio operator Jack Phillips
John George Phillips (wireless officer)
John George "Jack" Phillips was a British wireless telegraphist who died while on the Titanic after it hit an iceberg; he was serving as senior wireless operator on board the maiden voyage of the...
initially sent "CQD", still commonly used by British ships. Harold Bride
Harold Sydney Bride
Harold Sydney Bride became the junior wireless officer on board the maiden voyage of the ocean liner RMS Titanic. The Titanic struck an iceberg at 11:40 pm 14 April 1912 and sank two hours and forty minutes later. Working with Jack Phillips, Bride helped inform Titanics Captain Smith about the...
, the junior radio operator, jokingly suggested the new code "SOS
SOS
SOS is the commonly used description for the international Morse code distress signal...
" be used, thinking it might be the only time he would get to use it; Phillips began to alternate.
See also
- Global Maritime Distress Safety SystemGlobal Maritime Distress Safety SystemThe Global Maritime Distress and Safety System is an internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, types of equipment, and communication protocols used to increase safety and make it easier to rescue distressed ships, boats and aircraft....
- 500 kHz (Morse distress frequency)
- 2182 kHz2182 kHzThe radio frequency of 2182 kHz is the international calling and distress frequency for maritime radiotelephone communications on the marine MF bands.- Transmission modes :...
(voice distress frequency) - Mayday (distress signal)Mayday (distress signal)Mayday is an emergency procedure word used internationally as a distress signal in voice procedure radio communications. It derives from the French venez m'aider, meaning "come help me"....
- SOSSOSSOS is the commonly used description for the international Morse code distress signal...
External links
- "C Q D" by Alfred M. Caddell — from Radio Broadcast, April 1924, pages 449–455; described as "The Story of the First Sea Rescue by Radio".