[ChuckDickerson]

I get the feeling that in all of the debate here between Morse Code vs. texting some might be overlooking the fundamental difference. Texting, emailing, instant messaging, Twittering, or whatever you want to call sending the bits that make up an electronic message requires a cell phone or some other sort of electronic device. Morse Code does not. You can send Morse Code with a flashlight, a stick and a pot, or even your car horn.

Let’s say you are a ship captain being held hostage in a lifeboat by some pirates and the US Navy is nearby. Maybe you could get a message to the Navy with a signal mirror or piece of a reflective Mylar emergency blanket both of which are standard equipment in a lifeboat. Maybe if the Navy knew that you knew Morse Code they could some how get a covert message to you using say a flashing light or a horn or a Navy Seal tapping on the bottom of the life boat hull. Seems to me that it sure would be nice to know when the Navy snipers plan to take their shot at the pirates so you can hit the deck.

My point is, regardless of speed, being able to send a message to someone at a distance has always and will always be a useful thing and a cell phone or computer isn’t always the best option or even available. Morse Code has been a standard messaging system for a long time and will continue to be for a long time to come. Those that seem to think Morse Code is an old dead useless technology might need to rethink their assessment.

I wonder how the “speed test” would have gone if the two ham operators had used a cell phone as well but as a flashlight and their hand to cover and uncover the screen instead to send Morse Code?

Oh, and for whoever wondered if there is a Morse Code IPhone App, yes there is one.