Prosigns for Morse Code
Encyclopedia
In Morse code
, prosigns or procedural signals are dot/dash sequences that have a special meaning in a transmission: they are a form of control character
. They are normally written as if they were composed of one, two or three ordinary alphabetic characters but they are sent "run together", omitting the normal inter-character spaces that would occur if they were being sent as normal text. These ligatures are properly represented in print by a ligating bar or overline above the letters, indicating that they are linked and sent as one contiguous character.
Although these are not really prosigns, an error may be indicated by some series of Es:
K, KN, and SK are also commonly used in text modes such as RTTY and PSK31
. Notably, SK ("stop keying") is also used by TTY/TDD
users, though "GA" ("Go Ahead") is typed rather than "KN".
A sample CW conversation between station 1 (A1AA) and station 2 (A2BB) might go roughly like this:
A1AA:
CQ CQ CQ DE A1AA A1AA AR
A2BB:
A1AA DE A2BB A2BB KN
A1AA:
A2BB DE A1AA = GA DR OM UR RST 599 HR = QTH TIMBUKTU = OP IS JOHN = HW? A2BB DE A1AA KN
A2BB:
A1AA DE A2BB = TNX FB RPRT DR OM JOHN UR 558 = QTH HIMALAYA = NAME IS YETI AR A1AA DE A2BB K
A1AA:
A2BB DE A1AA = OK TNX QSO DR YETI = 73 ES HPE CUAGN A2BB DE A1AA K
A2BB:
A1AA DE A2BB = R TU CUAGN 73 A1AA DE A2BB SK
A1AA:
E E
In practice, A1AA and A2BB would be conventional amateur callsigns uniquely identifying each of the parties to the contact.
With heavy use of the Q code
, prosigns and Morse Code Abbreviations
, surprisingly meaningful conversations can be had with relatively short transmissions, rather like "TXT speak" using SMS on mobile phones. Note that very few full English words have been used in the conversation ("is" and "name"), with most words and phrases abbreviated. S1 and S2 might not even speak the same native language, merely learning to translate their native tongue into the correct Morse abbreviations.
Of course, real rag-chewing (lengthy conversations) cannot be done without a common language, a lingua Franca. On the worldwide amateur bands this is most often English but long Morse contacts may occasionally be heard in French, German, Spanish, Russian etc. Likewise, common words in these languages have their own abbreviations, such as "MCI" for "merci", "AWDH" for "auf Wiederhören" and "DSW" for "do svidaniya". It is considered courteous to use such simple non-English abbreviations when completing a contact with a non-English speaker.
Contesters
often use an even shorter, stylized format for their contacts. Their purpose is to complete as many contacts as possible in a limited time (e.g. at a rate of 100–200 contacts per hour). They typically omit superfluous procedural signals and repeats unless the band is noisy and/or the other party seems likely to have trouble copying correctly. Accuracy is particularly important, especially for callsigns, to avoid points being deducted during the scoring process so good Morse operators regulate their style according to conditions and the other party (e.g. matching their speed).
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...
, prosigns or procedural signals are dot/dash sequences that have a special meaning in a transmission: they are a form of control character
Control character
In computing and telecommunication, a control character or non-printing character is a code point in a character set, that does not in itself represent a written symbol.It is in-band signaling in the context of character encoding....
. They are normally written as if they were composed of one, two or three ordinary alphabetic characters but they are sent "run together", omitting the normal inter-character spaces that would occur if they were being sent as normal text. These ligatures are properly represented in print by a ligating bar or overline above the letters, indicating that they are linked and sent as one contiguous character.
| Sign | Code | Meaning | Comment | Mnemonic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR | ·-·-· |
Stop (end of message) | Often written + | "All Received" |
| AS | ·-··· |
Wait (for 10 seconds) | Often written &. Respond with C (yes). AS2 means wait 2 min, AS5 5 min, etc. For pauses of 10 min or longer, use QRX (see Q code Q code The Q code is a standardized collection of three-letter message encodings, also known as a brevity code, all of which start with the letter "Q", initially developed for commercial radiotelegraph communication, and later adopted by other radio services, especially amateur radio... ) |
wait "A Sec" or AmperSand |
| BK | -···-·- |
BreaK | Often indicates "BacK-to-you". Used for fast exchange between two stations. | |
| BT | -···- |
Separator within message | Often written =. In practice, indistinguishable from TV, and sometimes written thus | |
| CL | -·-··-·· |
Going off the air | "CLear" or "CLosing down" | |
| CT | -·-·- |
Start (beginning of message) | In practice, indistinguishable from KA, and sometimes written thus. | "Commence Transmission" |
| DO | -··--- |
Shift to wabun code Wabun Code The is a form of Morse code used to send Japanese text. Unlike International Morse Code, which represents letters of the Roman alphabet, in Wabun each symbol represents a Japanese kana... |
||
| K | -·- |
"go" or "over" - another station is invited to reply | "oK" (as in, "'K, go ahead") or "STANding BY" as per rhythm | |
| KN | -·--· |
Invitation to a specific named station to transmit | 'K' means "go" or "over;" KN is short for "go oNly" and signifies that only the called station should reply. | "oK, Named-station" |
| SK | ···-·- |
End (end of contact) | In practice, indistinguishable from VA, and sometimes written thus | "Silent Key" |
| SN | ···-· |
Understood | In practice, indistinguishable from VE, and sometimes written thus | "Sho' 'Nuff" |
| SOS | ···---··· |
Serious distress message and request for urgent assistance | Not to be used unless there is imminent danger to life or destruction of property. See SOS SOS SOS is the commonly used description for the international Morse code distress signal... |
"Save Our Souls" |
Although these are not really prosigns, an error may be indicated by some series of Es:
······· |
Error, correct word follows (six or more dits in a row) |
· · · |
Error (easily identifiable by "broken" rhythm) |
K, KN, and SK are also commonly used in text modes such as RTTY and PSK31
PSK31
PSK31 or "Phase Shift Keying, 31 Baud" is a digital radio modulation mode, used primarily in the amateur radio field to conduct real-time keyboard-to-keyboard informal text chat between amateur radio operators.- History :...
. Notably, SK ("stop keying") is also used by TTY/TDD
Telecommunications device for the deaf
A telecommunications device for the deaf is a teleprinter, an electronic device for text communication over a telephone line, that is designed for use by persons with hearing or speech difficulties...
users, though "GA" ("Go Ahead") is typed rather than "KN".
An amateur radio conversation in Morse code
Having sensible and efficient conversations in Morse code involves more than simply knowing the alphabet. To make communication efficient, there are many internationally agreed patterns of communication.A sample CW conversation between station 1 (A1AA) and station 2 (A2BB) might go roughly like this:
A1AA:
CQ CQ CQ DE A1AA A1AA AR
- Calling anyone (CQ), this is (DE) A1AA, end of transmission (AR).
A2BB:
A1AA DE A2BB A2BB KN
- Calling A1AA, this is A2BB, back-to-you. (KN means you are inviting only the named party to reply)
A1AA:
A2BB DE A1AA = GA DR OM UR RST 599 HR = QTH TIMBUKTU = OP IS JOHN = HW? A2BB DE A1AA KN
- Good afternoon dear old man. You are RSTRST codeThe RST code is used by amateur radio operators, shortwave listeners, and other radio hobbyists to exchange information about the quality of a radio signal being received. The code is a three digit number, with one digit each for conveying an assessment of the signal's readability, strength, and...
599 here., very strong signal (9), very good tone (9)) - I'm located in Timbuktu. The operator's name is John.
- How do you copy? Go ahead, A2BB.
A2BB:
A1AA DE A2BB = TNX FB RPRT DR OM JOHN UR 558 = QTH HIMALAYA = NAME IS YETI AR A1AA DE A2BB K
- Thanks for the nice report dear old man John. I read you 558.
- I am in the Himalayas. My name is Yeti. That's all for this transmission (AR), go ahead..
A1AA:
A2BB DE A1AA = OK TNX QSO DR YETI = 73 ES HPE CUAGN A2BB DE A1AA K
- Okay, thanks for this conversation, dear Yeti.
- Best regards and hope to see you again.
A2BB:
A1AA DE A2BB = R TU CUAGN 73 A1AA DE A2BB SK
- Understood. Thank you. Best regards. Signing off. (SK)
A1AA:
E E
- A couple of dits typically ends a contact.
In practice, A1AA and A2BB would be conventional amateur callsigns uniquely identifying each of the parties to the contact.
With heavy use of the Q code
Q code
The Q code is a standardized collection of three-letter message encodings, also known as a brevity code, all of which start with the letter "Q", initially developed for commercial radiotelegraph communication, and later adopted by other radio services, especially amateur radio...
, prosigns and Morse Code Abbreviations
Morse Code Abbreviations
Morse code abbreviations differ from prosigns for Morse Code in that they observe normal interletter spacing; that is, they are not "run together" the way prosigns are. From 1845 until well into the second half of the 20th century, commercial telegraphic code books were used to shorten telegrams, e.g...
, surprisingly meaningful conversations can be had with relatively short transmissions, rather like "TXT speak" using SMS on mobile phones. Note that very few full English words have been used in the conversation ("is" and "name"), with most words and phrases abbreviated. S1 and S2 might not even speak the same native language, merely learning to translate their native tongue into the correct Morse abbreviations.
Of course, real rag-chewing (lengthy conversations) cannot be done without a common language, a lingua Franca. On the worldwide amateur bands this is most often English but long Morse contacts may occasionally be heard in French, German, Spanish, Russian etc. Likewise, common words in these languages have their own abbreviations, such as "MCI" for "merci", "AWDH" for "auf Wiederhören" and "DSW" for "do svidaniya". It is considered courteous to use such simple non-English abbreviations when completing a contact with a non-English speaker.
Contesters
Contesting
Contesting is a competitive activity pursued by amateur radio operators. In a contest, an amateur radio station, which may be operated by an individual or a team, seeks to contact as many other amateur radio stations as possible in a given period of time and exchange information...
often use an even shorter, stylized format for their contacts. Their purpose is to complete as many contacts as possible in a limited time (e.g. at a rate of 100–200 contacts per hour). They typically omit superfluous procedural signals and repeats unless the band is noisy and/or the other party seems likely to have trouble copying correctly. Accuracy is particularly important, especially for callsigns, to avoid points being deducted during the scoring process so good Morse operators regulate their style according to conditions and the other party (e.g. matching their speed).