LittleMetalHorse t1_iucn5qu wrote on October 30, 2022 at 9:12 AM

Reply to comment by wizard2278 in ELI5: Morse code is made up of dots and dashes. How did telegraph operators keep from losing track of where one letter ended and another began? by copperdomebodhi

Used in IR signal flashes in my personal experience, very useful low tech IFF.

Also, as a pilot in East UK where there are (were?) Lots of airfields, a flashing ident beacon you could see from 10k out made it easier not to land at the wrong runway...

LittleMetalHorse t1_iucmw4x wrote on October 30, 2022 at 9:09 AM

Reply to comment by JustaOrdinaryDemiGod in ELI5: Morse code is made up of dots and dashes. How did telegraph operators keep from losing track of where one letter ended and another began? by copperdomebodhi

I was in the last course in the British army to learn morse code. As a signaller, I had to pass a test at 8wpm (nothing by cold war standards, but pretty hard work for a beginner).

I spent 6 months listening to cassettes and practicing (and eventually passing the test) in the certain knowledge that I would never ever use Morse anywhere as the army had stopped using it. My own little Yossarian moment.