What are the Morse code timing rules?

A dit (·) lasts one unit and a dah (-) lasts three. The gap between signals inside a character is one unit, between characters three units, and between words seven units. WPM (words per minute) measures how many times you can send the word "PARIS" in one minute.

What is the Koch Method?

The Koch Method is a Morse code learning technique proposed by Ludwig Koch. You learn the sounds at your target speed from day one, start with just a few characters, and add one more each time you reach a set accuracy.

SOS in Morse code is "· · · — — — · · ·" (dit dit dit dah dah dah dit dit dit). As the international distress signal it is sent as one continuous unit of nine signals, with no gaps between the letters.

What does the Q-code QSO mean?

QSO is the Q-code for "a contact": two-way communication between two amateur radio stations. QTH means location, QRZ means "who is calling me?", and QSL confirms receipt.

How long does it take to learn Morse code?

With the Koch Method and 15-30 minutes of daily practice, most people master the basic alphabet in about 2-3 months. Holding real on-air contacts at 20 WPM usually takes about 6 months to a year of steady practice.

FIELD MANUAL FM-CW-01

MORSE CODE OPERATIONS REFERENCE

REF

TYPEREFERENCE

CLASSUNCLASSIFIED

BRIEFING: WHAT IS MORSE CODE?

Morse code represents letters and numbers as combinations of short signals (dit, ·) and long signals (dah, -). It was developed in the 19th century for the telegraph, and International Morse code is still used in amateur (ham) radio and emergency communication.

The core rules: a dit lasts one unit and a dah three units; characters are separated by three units and words by seven. Speed is measured in WPM (words per minute), based on the word "PARIS".

Standard reference: ITU-R M.1677-1 International Morse code

MORSE CODE CHART

TIMING & SPACING

All morse timing is based on the "unit" duration. At 20 WPM, 1 unit = 60ms.

DOT (dit)1 unit

DASH (dah)3 units

INTER-ELEMENT GAP1 unit

INTER-CHARACTER GAP3 units

INTER-WORD GAP7 units

EXAMPLE: "HI"

.... (H) — gap — .. (I)

Q-CODE REFERENCE

QRAStation name / call sign

QRGExact frequency

QRHFrequency drift

QRITone quality

QRKReadability

QRLFrequency in use

QRMMan-made interference

QRNNatural static

QROIncrease power

QRPReduce power

QRSSend more slowly

QRTStop sending

QRVReady

QRZWho is calling me?

QSBFading

QSLReceipt confirmed

QSOContact

QSYChange frequency

QTHLocation

PROSIGNS

AR.-.-.End of message

SK...-.-End of contact

BT-...-Break (=)

KN-.--.Named station only

AS.-...Wait

SOS...---...Distress signal

INTEL: KOCH METHOD VS THE TRADITIONAL METHOD

Traditional method (memorizing the chart)

You memorize the dot-and-dash pattern of each character from a chart, start slowly (5 WPM), and speed up gradually. The problem: when you try to go faster you hit the "counting wall" and often have to relearn from scratch.

Koch Method (recognizing sound patterns)

You start at your target speed, learn the sound patterns of a few characters, then add one new character at a time.

FAQ - Morse Code Questions

Q. What is Morse code?: Morse code represents letters and numbers as combinations of short signals (dit, ·) and long signals (dah, -). It was developed in the 19th century for the telegraph, and International Morse code is still used in amateur radio and emergency communication.
Q. What are the Morse code timing rules?: A dit (·) lasts one unit and a dah (-) lasts three. The gap between signals inside a character is one unit, between characters three units, and between words seven units. WPM (words per minute) measures how many times you can send the word "PARIS" in one minute.
Q. What is the Koch Method?: The Koch Method is a Morse code learning technique proposed by Ludwig Koch. You learn the sounds at your target speed from day one, start with just a few characters, and add one more each time you reach a set accuracy.
Q. How do you send SOS?: SOS in Morse code is "· · · — — — · · ·" (dit dit dit dah dah dah dit dit dit). As the international distress signal it is sent as one continuous unit of nine signals, with no gaps between the letters.
Q. What does the Q-code QSO mean?: QSO is the Q-code for "a contact": two-way communication between two amateur radio stations. QTH means location, QRZ means "who is calling me?", and QSL confirms receipt.
Q. How long does it take to learn Morse code?: With the Koch Method and 15-30 minutes of daily practice, most people master the basic alphabet in about 2-3 months. Holding real on-air contacts at 20 WPM usually takes about 6 months to a year of steady practice.