How do people read Morse code when they don’t see the beginning?

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From what I understand Morse code consists of dashes and dots or dits and dahs.

If I use a flashlight to send you a signal how will you know what I’m saying if you didn’t see me start the first letter?

Won’t the entire sentence be ruined if you miss a dash or dot while observing?

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5 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

There are ways to compensate for this. First, the signaller could repeat the message on a loop. So, even if you only first notice half way through, you will eventually get the full message if you keep observing. Second, there are signals to indicate that you wish to communicate. On ships, for example, the signaller could repeatedly signal the others ship’s call sign. The observer would respond by signalling the other ship’s call sign. Once that exchange is complete, the signaller could send the full message. If you don’t know the call sign, there are generic symbols for “hey pay attention” and “yeah, i’m paying attention”

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