History of Morse code

	Revision 21 . . December 19, 2001 4:23 pm by (logged).253.39.xxx [added material as per /Talk]
	Revision 20 . . December 18, 2001 6:28 am by Ed Poor [revise first P]
	Revision 19 . . December 18, 2001 6:14 am by Hagedis [add talk]
	Revision 18 . . (edit) December 10, 2001 8:40 am by Bryan Derksen [folded table in half to make it a bit more compact]
	Revision 17 . . December 4, 2001 7:37 am by The Anome [term in bold; moved Samuel Morse up into 1st para]
	Revision 16 . . (edit) October 3, 2001 4:30 am by (logged).128.16.xxx

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Added: 4a5,6

In addition to the Morse code, elaborate commercial codes that encoded complete phrases into single words (five-letter groups) were developed, so that telegraphers became conversant with such "words" as BYOXO ("Are you trying to crawl out of it?"), LIOUY ("Why do you not answer my question?"), and AYYLU ("Not clearly coded, repeat more clearly."). The purpose of these codes was to save on cable costs.

Changed: 8c10

International Morse Code is still in use today. Since it relies only on a steady (unmodulated) radio signal, it requires less hardware to send and receive than other forms of radio communication, and it can be used in very high noise / low signal situations, and requires very little bandwidth. Until the 1990s (when did the code-free Tech first appear?), the ability to transcribe morse code sent at 5 words per minute was a requirement to receive an FCC Amateur Radio license in the US using HF bands. 20 WPM was required for the license with highest privileges ("Extra" class). Certain parts of the radio spectrum are still(?) reserved only for transmission of morse code signals.

International Morse Code is still in use today. Since it relies only on a steady (unmodulated) radio signal, it requires less hardware to send and receive than other forms of radio communication, and it can be used in very high noise / low signal situations, and requires very little bandwidth. Until the 1990s (when did the code-free Tech first appear?), the ability to transcribe morse code sent at 5 words per minute was a requirement to receive an FCC Amateur Radio license in the US using HF bands. 20 WPM was required for the license with highest privileges ("Extra" class). Certain parts of the radio spectrum are still(?) reserved only for transmission of morse code signals.