[CW] Code Speeds

[Richard Knoppow]

    Do you know what the date of these regulations is? This 
thread started because of the claimed recording of the Titanic 
distress call, which is represented as being quite fast. That is 
one reason for doubting its authenticity. The problems with the 
Titanic call prompted considerable changes in the rules for 
wireless distress traffic, c.1912 and later. This was part of the 
general revision of the rules regarding safety of life at sea.

On 2/19/2020 5:54 PM, Dr Jim Kennedy via CW wrote:
> Actually on further review:
> § 80.319Radiotelegraph distress call and message transmission 
> procedure.(a) The radiotelegraph distress procedure consists of 
> the following six steps: however, when time is vital, the first 
> and second steps may be omitted. These two steps of the 
> distress procedure may also be omitted in circumstances when 
> transmission of the alarm signal is considered unnecessary:(1) 
> The radiotelegraph alarm signal;(2) The distress call and an 
> interval of two minutes;(3) The distress call;(4) The distress 
> message;(5) Two dashes of ten to fifteen seconds each;(6) The 
> call sign of the mobile station in distress.(b) The 
> radiotelegraph distress transmissions must be sent by means of 
> the international Morse code at a speed not exceeding 16 words 
> per minute nor less than 8 words per minute.(c) The distress 
> message, preceded by the distress call, must be repeated at 
> intervals until an answer is received. The radiotelegraph alarm 
> signal may also be repeated, if necessary.(d) The transmissions 
> under paragraphs (a) (5) and (6) of this section, which are to 
> permit direction finding stations to determine the position of 
> the station in distress, may be repeated at frequent intervals 
> if necessary.(e) When the mobile station in distress receives 
> no answer to a distress message transmitted on the distress 
> frequency, the message may be repeated on any other available 
> frequency on which attention might be attracted.
>
> *The reason for this 16 wpm requirement was to insure that US 
> 1st, 2nd, and 3rd *
> *class and other nations radiotelegraph operators could copy 
> the distress *
> *signals in time of emergency.*
>
>
>> *Do. Jim Kennedy*
>> */K 2 P H D/* -- PG0222156 - T2GB070658/Radar
>>
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>> <mailto:K2PHD at arrl.net>
>>
>> SARA-OOTC-FISTS-SKCC-NAQCC 
>> <http://sara-ootc-fists-skcc-naqcc/> | : FN20qv 
>> <https://webapp.wisestamp.com/#>
>>
>>

-- 
Richard Knoppow
1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
WB6KBL