Jointly reported by:
Joshua Loy Kai Siang SR1SCB
Goh Zhi Xin SR1SCD

     On the 8th of June 2021 (Tuesday), the Air Scout Troop held a talk on Morse code and flag semaphores. The talk started off with the introduction of the two main speakers, Abner Philip Then Yi Hao and Fong Tzyy Yu, both Student Advisors of the Air Scout Troop.

     Abner then presented a video which introduced cryptography during World War 2, where Americans at the time were able to communicate using codes that the Japanese could not decrypt, aiding their victory. The video clearly pointed out the importance of cryptology.

     Afterwards, Abner started talking about flag semaphores, which were invented by Claude Chappe in the French revolution to transmit war signals. This method is commonly used when personnel on different mountain peaks want to communicate with each other. Besides that, lifeguards and maritime troops utilise flag semaphores in their daily routines. One is required to use their hands and flags in order to communicate with this system. He then provided us with a video teaching the signals of flag semaphores.

rsz_[pic_1_flag_semaphores_signals]Flag semaphores signals

     The second part of the talk was about Morse code, which was developed by and named after Samuel Morse, an American inventor. Tzyy Yu explained that Morse codes were created for use in the electrical telegraph system in the early nineteenth century. He added that Alfred Vail, an American machinist also contributed to the further development of Morse code to include alphabets as it originally only consisted of numbers.

     Next, Tzyy Yu listed a few uses of Morse code (mainly in the military field) and alternative methods to transfer Morse codes without a telegraph. A video regarding the origin and development of Morse codes was then played in order for the students and teachers to achieve a deeper understanding. After the video, Tzyy Yu shared some tips and techniques for decoding Morse codes before ending.

rsz_[pic_2_techniques_to_memorise_the_morse_codes_symbols_]Techniques to memorise the Morse code symbols

     Next up, a Q&A session was conducted to clear the doubts of students and teachers.

     Firstly, a student doubted the significance of Morse code in the present since many advanced ways of communication have been developed. Abner agreed with this sentiment, but he explained that we may encounter situations where modern technologies fail to function, such as getting lost in a jungle. This is when we rely on the dots and dashes in Morse Code to save our lives.

     Another student asked if there were any other internationally recognised code communication methods, and the answer was no.

     Apart from that, someone wondered how other countries use Morse code since their languages are not written in the Latin alphabet. Abner explained that there are different versions of Morse code applicable to different alphabets.

     At last, a group photo was taken and that was the end of this awesome talk.