Morse code videos on the internet

In this month's edition of the Fists Down Under newsletter, they feature a range of interesting YouTube videos of Morse code.

Video of 'DA', also known as Denice Stoops, the first female telegrapher who worked at KPH until the end of commercial Morse operations and the closure of the station in 1998.

Denice is seen here sending the closing transmissions of the MRHS (see them at www.radiomarine.org ) Night of Nights 10.

Each year (in this case exactly 10 years) to the minute, that commercial Morse operations ceased in the United States, former RCA shore station KPH comes alive to pay tribute to those who came before us to honour their skill and talents.

Many other maritime shore stations and vessels join in, and thousands of people all over the world tune in each year to pay tribute, and copy the CW 'music' once again commanding the airwaves.

This video was shot in the control room at the KPH, KSM, and KFS transmitter site and brought to a close Night of Nights X. The KPH 'wheel' is being sent in the beginning of the video before transmitter supervisor Steve Hawes 'pulls the plug' and connects DA's chrome Vibroplex bug to the panel to key all the transmitters at once.

The whole building is electrified by the transmitters and the spirit of the men (and women) that were the only connection between those at sea and the world. It is an emotional experience to be part of such an event.

Another video of Denice operating at W6CF –
California Historical Radio Society. PO BOX 31659.
San Francisco, CA 94131. USA.

Morse code coast stations sent the 'wheel', a repeating message stating they were open for business and where they were listening for ships, whenever they were not engaged in sending or receiving messages.

The first were literally wheels – disks with notches cut in them to key the Morse code letters. Later punched paper tape was used for the wheel and prepared messages like press. In the last phase the wheel was generated by an electronic keyboard.

At KSM the MRHS has recently restored punched paper tape equipment to send the wheel. See it in operation.

Our thanks to Fists Down Under for allowing us to reprint this item from their newsletter

http://www.fistsdownunder.org/