3 Different Ways to Communicate

When you think about it there are 3 different ways that you can communicate a message. Below is a picture that shows the Alphabet on the far left. Next is Signal Flags, Morse Code and then Semaphore Flags.

Signal Flags– The system of international maritime signal flags is one system of flag signals representing individual letters of the alphabet in signals to or from ships. It is a component of the International Code of Signals (ICS).

Morse Code– Morse code is a method of transmitting text information as a series of on-off tones, lights, or clicks that can be directly understood by a skilled listener or observer without special equipment. The Morse code was developed so that operators could translate the indentations marked on the paper tape into text messages.

The following picture shows a picture of a Morse code machine.

Each character (letter or numeral) is represented by a unique sequence of dots and dashes. The duration of a dash is three times the duration of a dot. Each dot or dash is followed by a short silence, equal to the dot duration.  Below is a video that illustrates that point with a flashing light. The video is long but you can watch as much as you want

Here is a close-up picture of the flashing light in the video. Note the hand on the lever, the shutters in the center. When the light is on you can manually open and close the shutters to communicate with your hand.

Semaphore Flags– Semaphore Flags is the telegraphy system conveying information at a distance by means of visual signals with hand-held flags, rods, disks, paddles, or occasionally bare or gloved hands. Information is encoded by the position of the flags; it is read when the flag is in a fixed position. Semaphores were adopted and widely used (with hand-held flags replacing the mechanical arms of shutter semaphores) in the maritime world in the 19th century. It is still used during underway replenishment at sea and is acceptable for emergency communication in daylight or, using lighted wands instead of flags, at night.

The picture below shows a US Navy crewman during a exercise.

Communications-Morse Code,Signal flags,Ham radio operators

Since Morse Code and Signal flags are just a couple of ways of communication I thought I would delve deeper into it.  Indiana University– has a great article and club. I thought I would share a small portion here:

What Can Amateur Radio Operators Do?
Ham radio operators use two-way radio stations from their homes, cars, boats and outdoors to make hundreds of friends around town and around the world. They communicate with each other using voice, computers, and Morse code. Some hams bounce their signals off the upper regions of the atmosphere, so they can talk with hams on the other side of the world. Other hams use satellites. Many use hand-held radios that fit in their pockets.

Q-signals are short, three letter codes used in CW (morse code) communication to speed up the contacts. These codes are not for voice communication, instead say what you mean. I took our signal flags below to show what it would look like and the meaning.

Although there are many more 3 letter messages this should give you a brief idea. They provide a much needed service on land and at sea. They are used a lot also in emergency situations. When whole areas are without power they are in great demand and sometimes the only way to communicate among people.

Common Racing Flag Signals & Meanings

Racing Flag Signals

Although we normally hang our signal flag from the top I made the picture below in Paint shop pro to show what our flags would look like in a true race.

At race meetings, instructions and information regarding the events are usually given by means of flags and pennants and sound signals. There is an internationally agreed system of code flags used at most race meetings. The signals relate to rules applying to the meeting as a whole, starting procedures and instructions during the race. They are usually displayed from the starting box or start/committee boat, and a number of flags can be displayed simultaneously.

You must listen for the sound signals which draw your attention to the changes in the flags. Remember though, it is when your class flag is lowered that your race begins, not when you hear the sound signal

Although there are more flags I wanted to give a brief synopsis of the various ways signal flags can be used.