What's the correct way to send an SOS?

Question

I've read that when signalling an SOS, you should repeat the sequence (...---...) without letter breaks. So does that mean the sequence should be:

SOSSOSSOSSOS etc.

or

SOSOSOSOSOSOS etc.

My guess is it's the latter, but if there's someone with radio experience who can tell me, it'd be greatly appreciated.

(and since this is in the boating category, I know the GMDSS proword for a distress is "Mayday", but you never know when you might need to use Morse code)

Answer 1

Where I live (by lake michigan) if you are in distress you get on channel 16, say the name of your boat, then say " calling the coast guard", repeat this twice and wait for them to answer.

Answer 2

Your guess is correct...

And yes again, it just so happens, I do know exactly when you might want or need to know Morse code...

Currently, it is the only way you can get a FREE Internet connection and FREE unlimited e-mails on an entire ocean passage any where in the world.

If you have a Ham radio onboard, and of course, a Ham radio license... you can connect to the Internet, and send and receive unlimited e-mails via a modem on your Ham radio.

But... in order to get your Ham radio operators license... Take a guess at what you need to know?  That's right... Morse Code.

Although I do agree Morse Code is outdated...

Richard C is seriously mistaken when he says "no one is listening..."

Any (and most every) off shore cruising sailor (especially solo and couples) knows that on those long watch shifts alone (while your relief is sleeping) you can quickly pass the time away talking with just about any one of the more than 3,000,000 Ham operators "with their ears on"...  These guys (and gals) today are so tech savey - it is scarey...

In fact, one of them (for my daughter's birthday) connected to my laptop during a voyage to Easter Island (via Panama Canal)  and through my laptops webcam... played the action "live" as me and my son sang happy birthday to her from the bow of my boat with nothing but 2,000 miles of sea in all 360 degrees of us  -  and she watched it "live" on a UHF-TV channel on a TV in her workplace.  WOW!

So, they are not only listening, they are eager to be of assistance... and, if you sign on to the Coast Guards International News and News letter... just about every month, you can read where a Ham Operator had a hand in saving some boater's life.

Happy & Safe Boating!

Answer 3

Technically, you need to include a 2-second pause between each iteration.

Also, no one would be listening! If I hear morse code on one of our GMDSS radios, I assume that it's atmospheric skip, and I'm hearing a police radio from shore somewhere.

Answer 4

i thought it would have been sos stop sos stop etc

Answer 5

smoke signals

Answer 6

you are correct in saying it is sos.  Three short keys and then three long ones, and then three short ones again.  Then wait for someone to respond.  

Do not break either.  it is ditditditdahdahdahditditdit.

How are you going to talk to someone because they will probably respond back in morse code?

Answer 7

It's ...---...  (break) ...---... (break), etc. Below is a link to the pdf version of the International Code of Signals, which is more information than you ever wanted on the subject.

Nowadays there is very little reason to use Morse code over radio, as even the least expensive VHFs use voice. You may however find an occasion to use flashing light.

http://www.nga.mil/portal/site/maritime/...

Answer 8

If you send sos....no one is listening, and haven't been for 25 years.     In the new world, distress signals are changing to GPS assisted radio location and distress beacons.  For the last several years EPIRB's have been the order of the day, and VHF radio, where you can still yell mayday!  But that's changing to ELB's and even PLB's.   For a good explanation check out wikipedia, under distress beacons.