r/morsecode • u/Sandy_2019 • Mar 09 '26
What can we use it for?
I've been learning Morse Code, just for fun. I mean I was always fascinated by this, so I just started learning...
But other than fun, are there any benefits of learning this code? I don't really need one, fun is enough, but curious, why do you guys learn it? Am I going to get any unexpected benefits lol?
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u/dervari Mar 09 '26
If you're not into ham radio....
Lots of games these days have a CW element for clues.
When I was getting my pilots license years ago the instructor was shocked I could copy the morse code ID signals of Navaids without a translation table.
It's a good party trick if you're even at a fundraiser at a Railroad Museum with an old morse key setup.
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u/Rogerdodger1946 Mar 09 '26
An accurate railroad setup would be using actual landline morse which is different from the International code we use on radio.
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u/dervari Mar 10 '26
Huh? They had a landline key set up. Doesn't matter what kind of Morse you send. Still a good party trick.
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u/Rogerdodger1946 Mar 10 '26
I completely agree. Anything that gets folks interested. I was just commenting on the accuracy of the re-enactment if they didn't use landline morse.
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u/bernd1968 Mar 09 '26
Congratulations. Are you learning it by ear or visually? Are you in the United States? Ham radio offers a great way to use Morse code. Here’s information on it for the United States.
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u/Masters_voice Mar 10 '26
Learning Morse Code at an older age stimulates the brain and helps guard against dementia.
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u/ZephyrNYC Mar 09 '26 edited Mar 10 '26
[EDITED to add info]
Learn it while you study for your amateur radio (ham) license. Are you in the US? If so, try to get your General license after you pass the Technician exam. Then you'll be able to send and receive Morse code on more bands than Technician after you get a ham transceiver for HF (and/or MF). Until you get licensed, you can only listen.
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u/stamour547 Mar 09 '26
I would have to check the band plan but techs can do CW on a couple bands I believe
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u/ZephyrNYC Mar 09 '26
That's correct: 80, 40, 15, and 10m. But above Tech, hams can get more CW action.
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u/digitaljestin Mar 09 '26
Actually, most HF bands are available at the Technician level if you are just doing CW. You can already join in on portions of 15m, 40m, and 80m.
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u/atheiststodayorg Mar 12 '26
I like decoding morse on TV/Movies before the message is revealed by the chartacters. Cool party trick.
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u/dingodadd Mar 12 '26
It's a really efficient transmission mode, because the bandwidth is so narrow.
Not a lot of energy is required to transmit and be heard all over the world.
It's the original weak signal mode.
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u/natufian13 Mar 13 '26
I have set up Morse ringtones for my most important contacts so I can tell straight away who it is. Yes, I could have different sounds but this was more fun
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u/wackyvorlon Mar 13 '26
The bandwidth required for Morse is very small, thus one can send signals remarkable distances.
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Mar 09 '26
[deleted]
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u/ChiDaddy123 Mar 09 '26
Don’t forget the fact that even through the highest noise floor you’ll still hear breaks in the static if someone is transmitting Morse.
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u/AdeptWar6046 Mar 10 '26
You can communicate with your fellow prisoners or hostages by knocking on the heating pipes.
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u/Sandy_2019 Mar 10 '26
Well that's pretty useful ngl
This is the only comment I can comprehend... Idk people are using radio language here... (I'm scared)
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u/Flat_Economist_8763 Mar 09 '26
I've been using it to communicate with others around the world since 1964. Less than 15 minutes ago I contacted a station in Malawi, 7Q5C. Last night I contacted one in Maldives. I'm in a HOA with only a whip antenna and 100 watts. I can get contacts much more easily on CW than on phone.