I think it’s fabulous more folks are using telegraphy on larger (and any) layouts for dispatching and other “OS” communications. I am a dedicated user of International (or Continental) Morse code because of my amateur radio license, and also because I hold a commercial radiotelegraph certificate from the FCC. I use code a lot; it’s a passion here.
The “American” Morse code used routinely by all land lines in North America was indeed the real deal, but it only lasted as long as it did because of the hide-bound blinders of unions. The International Morse code came along because it was better. It is easier to send and, more importantly, to copy. It also complimented advances in the state of the art of the times.
There are only about a half-dozen characters that differ in the common English alphabet 'twixt the two, more if you wanted to send on a wire with punctuation and such. Learning the International variety is easier, mainly due to the fist of the sender you need to copy. I must say, though, that there are free sites teaching both varieties.
This is just great stuff. If you insist upon the real American Morse, know you are replicating a portion of the chain of events that lead to Conrail. I pretend that using International Morse keeps my road out of the hands of “agent provocateurs” who would topple Capitalism and send Jay Gould to sensitivity training.
Bottom line is I bought an old sounder and I need to use what I know while I learn the nuances of the American code. I joined the Morse Telegraph Club, Inc. They have a fine newsletter called Dots & Dashes. FEC got away with such for a long time. I find political intrigue much more cool on the model than in real life. Vibroplex is still in business (!) to this day, and a good source of inexpensive straight keys is MorseExpress.com. It is truly amazing that in 2007 one can purchase a Vi
ACY:
Great post! I too am a ham (N2MPU - codeless Tech by license class) but I picked up the code as a way to operate when my voice gives out, especially in VHF contests. You mention Morse Express - N1FN has a great site and is good to do business with. For those that would like to pursue getting a sounder but don’t want to deal with eBay, go to http://www.morsex.com/ and look for the company Llaves (LTA). They have both a modern made sounder and sounder with key on board. There are circuits available to hook up to a radio that receives Morse and translates that to a signal that will drive the sounder. I worked up one of my own and have that on when I’m down in the layout room/radio shack, usually tuned to one of the HF bands like 40 meters. It’s a great atmosphere builder!
BTW - for those hams here that don’t know it, on February 23 all requirements for knowledge of Morse code to operate anywheres on the ham bands expires.All Techs will have limited hf access without upgrading to General, Advanced, or Extra. If you want additional frequencies to operate on (voice, cw, teletype, etc.), you’ll still have to take the written exam.
N2MPU - Jack - Cool. I agree the Morse Express site is a good place to get a KOB (Key On Board) without enduring Ebay. Still wish I had saved one of those Prince Albert tins my Grandfather was always tossing. My call here in Japan is JE1GWN, and in the USA my call is good old WI6I. I had a Sunday sked with my dad (W8LE) for years before he passed away. I obtained a Vibroplex Original c.1922 used in a NKP tower (complete with the small-diameter contacts) that really wants to go fast. It still works nominally. It’s too fast to use on the air over here most of the time, but I bought a current Original that sends nice at 20WPM that would be good for a model RR if the op was savvy. The current Speed-X straight keys are very nice for beginners and old hands alike, and would be perfectly prototype on a model RR.
It’s not easy finding model ops who are willing to learn some code, but I suspect there are more than a few out there. Using code on the model is tres cool, just like the sound-equipped locomotives. Just imagine the Western Union office in Chicago in 1929 with over 700 ops!
73, ricardo
edited to correct jargon, et cetera