It might be of interest to read the article starting on page 71 of the Jan.
23, '99 issue of "THE ECONOMIST" entitled "... --- ... .-. .. .--.
(SOS,RIP)" and the further demise of the commercial use of CW. The article
is not a put-down, but a short treatise on a history of digital
communications. Indeed, CW gets credit for its longevity; starting in the
mid-1800s. Yes, Morse is being phased out in favor of "more modern"
systems; GMDSS (read - total trust in satellites) is discussed as it
becomes compulsory worldwide on Feb 1 "...on all ships exceeding 300 tons,
carry 12 or more passengers, or travel in international waters." For most
cases, the progress in modern communications probably is better. There is,
however, one item that all the modern systems cannot claim - simplicity.
Tom - WA2BPE
----------
> From: Graham Jones <g.jones@bom.gov.au>
> To: amps@contesting.com
> Subject: [AMPS] Fw: Final morse transmission
To: <amps@contesting.com>
> Date: Sunday, January 31, 1999 7:25 PM
>
>
> Gents,
>
> Just to inject a further sad note to the great CW debate, it seems here
in
> Oz the final nail just went into the mariners CW coffin. I just received
> the following official message today.
>
> ......................................................
> Graham W Jones
> Supervising Engineer
> Upper-air & Marine Telemetry
> Instrument Engineering Section
> Observations and Engineering Branch
> Australian Bureau of Meteorology
>
> ----------
> > From: Phil Parker <P.Parker@bom.gov.au>
> > To: DDS@bom.gov.au; ADS@bom.gov.au; M.Hassett@bom.gov.au;
> T.Hart@bom.gov.au; B.Sumner@bom.gov.au; D.Turner@bom.gov.au;
> C.Richards@bom.gov.au; rds@bom.gov.au; pubmarine@bom.gov.au; RFC
> Supervisors <all_supmet@bom.gov.au>
> > Cc: dexter@netra1.wmo.ch; ADC@bom.gov.au; Rod Stainer NZMS
> <Rod.Stainer@met.co.nz>; alder@met.co.nz; ian@nprs.hydro.gov.uk;
> G.Brough@bom.gov.au; G.Jones@bom.gov.au; G.Ball@bom.gov.au;
> T.baxter@bom.gov.au; D.Evans@bom.gov.au; fguzman@netra1.wmo.ch
> > Subject: Final morse transmission
To: <amps@contesting.com>
> > Date: Monday, February 01, 1999 11:40 AM
> >
> > Geoff, Bruce, Mike and others,
> >
> > Following is copy of the final Australian morse code transmission of
> > 2359UTC today. The suitably historic message speaks for itself.
> >
> > Telstra advises that there have been nil responses to the information
it
> > has broadcast to mariners over the last month advising of the cessation
> and
> > seeking feedback from affected users.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Phil
> >
> > >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> >
> > This is the final MORSE transmission from the Telstra Maritime
> > Communications Network. We conclude our final CW watch keeping after
87
> > years of continuous service with pride and sadness. Telstra, the
> Australian
> > Maritime Safety Authority and the Bureau of Meteorology wish all
> Seafarers
> > fair winds and following seas. 31st January 1999 2359UTC
> >
> >
> >
> > --------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Phil Parker
> > National Coordinator
> > Marine & Oceanography Services
> > Bureau of Meteorology
> > PO Box 1289K Melbourne Australia 3001
> >
> > phone: +613/ 03 9669 4510
> > fax: +613/ 03 9669 4695
> > email: P.Parker@bom.gov.au
> > --------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> --
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