Posted: 9/29/2008 7:39:26 AM EDT
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I know its been dropped from the tests. I feel it is still useful for me to learn it, especially after reading about the 2 guys rescued due to ham radio. However, my question is this. How do you know what language they are using? I am studying for my General license. I am going to take both tech and general test on same day when I am ready. I can't find anywhere where it states. Is there a universal consensus to use english, or is it just pot luck. Patrick |
The same way you know what language someone is using in other modes. |
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Good question. I've been hamming with CW for going on 3 years now and have never heard a QSO in a foreign language, including DX stations. That's not to say it doesn't happen, but everything I hear is in English. One huge benefit to CW/Morse over radio is that the standard abbreviations make the language barriers much easier to negotiate. For example, RST, QTH, Op, Rig are all universal -- as well as many other abbreviations. I've never really had a problem talking to DX stations due to language. Some of their locations are tough to copy just because they're not English words and your mind won't pick them up as easily. (i.e. you're copying character-by-character and not words) |
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dit-dit-dit dah-dah-dah dit-dit-dit Internationally known! I believe all stations operating in the Amateur bands must I.D. in English which would mean that they know at least a little English. ETA-- Morse code gets through when ALL other modes fail. It is well worth learning, even if you don't get to 20wpm. Learn the letters and numbers and forget the rest if you just want it for emergencies, no one will care how grammatically correct you are when SHTF. |
ยง97.119 Station Identification (b)(2) By a phone emission in the English language. Use of a phonetic alphabet as an aid for correct station identification is encouraged; |
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Morse is kind of like learning to read. I listened to the W1AW code practice bulletins for about a month and scored a perfect score on my test. I also walked around with some 4x6 cards all day long with the letters, numbers and prosigns, and studied them at every spare moment. It paid off. |