Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/Communications/Semaphore Code"

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The newer flag semaphore system uses two short poles with square flags, which a flagperson holds in different positions to signal letters of the alphabet and numbers. The flagperson holds one pole in each hand, and extends each arm in one of eight possible directions. Except for in the rest position, the flags cannot overlap. The flags are colored differently based on whether the signals are sent by sea or by land. At sea, the flags are colored red and yellow. While on land, they are red and white.
 
The newer flag semaphore system uses two short poles with square flags, which a flagperson holds in different positions to signal letters of the alphabet and numbers. The flagperson holds one pole in each hand, and extends each arm in one of eight possible directions. Except for in the rest position, the flags cannot overlap. The flags are colored differently based on whether the signals are sent by sea or by land. At sea, the flags are colored red and yellow. While on land, they are red and white.
  
−
The following semaphore characters are presented as one would face the signalman (in other words, pretend you can see the signalman's face in the illustrations). The letters ''almost'' follow a perfect, regular pattern, but don't be fooled by the first several. '''J''', '''V''', and '''Y''' break the pattern. We present them here in alphabetical order, and then again by position in a series of ''circles''.
+
The following semaphore characters are presented as one would face the signalman (in other words, pretend you can see the signalman's face in the illustrations). The letters ''almost'' follow a perfect, regular pattern, but don't be fooled by the first several. '''J''', '''V''', and '''Y''' break the pattern. We present them here in alphabetical order, and then again by position in a series of ''circles''.
 
====Alphabetic Order====
 
====Alphabetic Order====
 
{| width=100% style="text-align: center; line-height: 125%;"
 
{| width=100% style="text-align: center; line-height: 125%;"
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====Tips====
 
====Tips====
−
When you are first learning semaphores, a good Bible text to practice with is Philippians 4:8, as it repeats the phrase "whatever is" six times. Since it is so repetitive, You should be able to quickly signal the "whatever is" portion to get your speed up. This verse contains all the letters of the alphabet except j, q, and z which can be learned afterwards.
+
When you are first learning semaphores, a good Bible text to practice with is Philippians 4:8, as it repeats the phrase "whatever is" six times. Since it is so repetitive, You should be able to quickly signal the "whatever is" portion to get your speed up. This verse contains all the letters of the alphabet except j, q, and z which can be learned afterwards.
  
 
{{Bible verse
 
{{Bible verse
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{{Semaphores|A|D|M|I|R|A|B|L|E}}
 
{{Semaphores|A|D|M|I|R|A|B|L|E}}
 
===More Tips===
 
===More Tips===
−
Learn some landmark letters first and commit them to memory. Groups of related letters are a good choice. For example, these three make straight lines:
+
Learn some landmark letters first and commit them to memory. Groups of related letters are a good choice. For example, these three make straight lines:
 
{{Semaphores|D|R|L}}
 
{{Semaphores|D|R|L}}
 
These four are made by holding the flags 90° to one another, but all are at 45° to the signaler:
 
These four are made by holding the flags 90° to one another, but all are at 45° to the signaler:
Line 155: Line 155:
 
These four are made by holding the flags 45° apart:
 
These four are made by holding the flags 45° apart:
 
{{Semaphores|A|H|O|T}}
 
{{Semaphores|A|H|O|T}}
−
Most of these are fairly common letters (except for ''X''), so knowing them will allow you to spell the better part of most words. Add an ''A'' and an ''S'' to the mix:
+
Most of these are fairly common letters (except for ''X''), so knowing them will allow you to spell the better part of most words. Add an ''A'' and an ''S'' to the mix:
 
{{Semaphores|A|S}}
 
{{Semaphores|A|S}}
 
and you can spell a quick sentence:
 
and you can spell a quick sentence:

Revision as of 02:55, 9 September 2021

The newer flag semaphore system uses two short poles with square flags, which a flagperson holds in different positions to signal letters of the alphabet and numbers. The flagperson holds one pole in each hand, and extends each arm in one of eight possible directions. Except for in the rest position, the flags cannot overlap. The flags are colored differently based on whether the signals are sent by sea or by land. At sea, the flags are colored red and yellow. While on land, they are red and white.

The following semaphore characters are presented as one would face the signalman (in other words, pretend you can see the signalman's face in the illustrations). The letters almost follow a perfect, regular pattern, but don't be fooled by the first several. J, V, and Y break the pattern. We present them here in alphabetical order, and then again by position in a series of circles.

Alphabetic Order

80px
Rest position 		File:Semaphore Numeric.svg
Numerals 		File:Semaphore Error.svg
Attention 		File:Semaphore Cancel.svg
Cancel
File:Semaphore Alpha.svg
A / 1 		File:Semaphore Bravo.svg
B / 2 		File:Semaphore Charlie.svg
C / 3 / Ack 		File:Semaphore Delta.svg
D / 4 		File:Semaphore Echo.svg
E / 5 / Error 9x's 		File:Semaphore Foxtrot.svg
F / 6
File:Semaphore Golf.svg
G / 7 		File:Semaphore Hotel.svg
H / 8 		File:Semaphore India.svg
I / 9 		File:Semaphore Juliet.svg
J / Letters 		File:Semaphore Kilo.svg
K / 0
File:Semaphore Lima.svg
L 		File:Semaphore Mike.svg
M 		File:Semaphore November.svg
N 		File:Semaphore Oscar.svg
O 		80px
P
80px
Q 		File:Semaphore Romeo.svg
R 		File:Semaphore Sierra.svg
S 		File:Semaphore Tango.svg
T 		80px
U
File:Semaphore Victor.svg
V 		File:Semaphore Whiskey.svg
W 		80px
X 		80px
Y 		80px
Z

By position

The Grand Circle File:Semaphore Alpha.svg
A 		File:Semaphore Bravo.svg
B 		File:Semaphore Charlie.svg
C 		File:Semaphore Delta.svg
D 		File:Semaphore Echo.svg
E 		File:Semaphore Foxtrot.svg
F 		File:Semaphore Golf.svg
G
A Circle 80px File:Semaphore Hotel.svg
H 		File:Semaphore India.svg
I 		File:Semaphore Kilo.svg
K 		File:Semaphore Lima.svg
L 		File:Semaphore Mike.svg
M 		File:Semaphore November.svg
N
B Circle 80px 80px File:Semaphore Oscar.svg
O 		80px
P 		80px
Q 		File:Semaphore Romeo.svg
R 		File:Semaphore Sierra.svg
S
C Circle 80px 80px 80px File:Semaphore Tango.svg
T 		80px
U 		80px
Y 		File:Semaphore Cancel.svg
Cancel
D Circle 80px 80px 80px 80px File:Semaphore Numeric.svg
Numerals 		File:Semaphore Juliet.svg
J 		File:Semaphore Victor.svg
V
E Circle 80px 80px 80px 80px 80px File:Semaphore Whiskey.svg
W 		80px
X
F Circle 80px 80px 80px 80px 80px 80px 80px
Z

Tips

When you are first learning semaphores, a good Bible text to practice with is Philippians 4:8, as it repeats the phrase "whatever is" six times. Since it is so repetitive, You should be able to quickly signal the "whatever is" portion to get your speed up. This verse contains all the letters of the alphabet except j, q, and z which can be learned afterwards.




Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
— Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Graphically

File:Semaphore Foxtrot.svgF Semaphore India.svgI File:Semaphore November.svgN Semaphore Alpha.svg
A 		File:Semaphore Lima.svgL File:Semaphore Lima.svgL 60pxY 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px
File:Semaphore Bravo.svgB Semaphore Romeo.svgR File:Semaphore Oscar.svgO Semaphore Tango.svgT Semaphore Hotel.svgH Semaphore Echo.svgE Semaphore Romeo.svgR Semaphore Sierra.svgS 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px
Semaphore Whiskey.svgW Semaphore Hotel.svgH Semaphore Alpha.svg
A 		Semaphore Tango.svgT Semaphore Echo.svgE Semaphore Victor.svgV Semaphore Echo.svgE Semaphore Romeo.svgR 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px
Semaphore India.svgI Semaphore Sierra.svgS 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px
Semaphore Tango.svgT Semaphore Romeo.svgR 60pxU Semaphore Echo.svgE 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px
Semaphore Whiskey.svgW Semaphore Hotel.svgH Semaphore Alpha.svg
A 		Semaphore Tango.svgT Semaphore Echo.svgE Semaphore Victor.svgV Semaphore Echo.svgE Semaphore Romeo.svgR 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px
Semaphore India.svgI Semaphore Sierra.svgS 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px
File:Semaphore November.svgN File:Semaphore Oscar.svgO File:Semaphore Bravo.svgB File:Semaphore Lima.svgL Semaphore Echo.svgE 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px
Semaphore Whiskey.svgW Semaphore Hotel.svgH Semaphore Alpha.svg
A 		Semaphore Tango.svgT Semaphore Echo.svgE Semaphore Victor.svgV Semaphore Echo.svgE Semaphore Romeo.svgR 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px
Semaphore India.svgI Semaphore Sierra.svgS 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px
Semaphore Romeo.svgR Semaphore India.svgI Semaphore Golf.svgG Semaphore Hotel.svgH Semaphore Tango.svgT 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px
Semaphore Whiskey.svgW Semaphore Hotel.svgH Semaphore Alpha.svg
A 		Semaphore Tango.svgT Semaphore Echo.svgE Semaphore Victor.svgV Semaphore Echo.svgE Semaphore Romeo.svgR 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px
Semaphore India.svgI Semaphore Sierra.svgS 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px
60pxP 60pxU Semaphore Romeo.svgR Semaphore Echo.svgE 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px
Semaphore Whiskey.svgW Semaphore Hotel.svgH Semaphore Alpha.svg
A 		Semaphore Tango.svgT Semaphore Echo.svgE Semaphore Victor.svgV Semaphore Echo.svgE Semaphore Romeo.svgR 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px
Semaphore India.svgI Semaphore Sierra.svgS 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px
File:Semaphore Lima.svgL File:Semaphore Oscar.svgO Semaphore Victor.svgV Semaphore Echo.svgE File:Semaphore Lima.svgL 60pxY 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px
Semaphore Whiskey.svgW Semaphore Hotel.svgH Semaphore Alpha.svg
A 		Semaphore Tango.svgT Semaphore Echo.svgE Semaphore Victor.svgV Semaphore Echo.svgE Semaphore Romeo.svgR 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px
Semaphore India.svgI Semaphore Sierra.svgS 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px
Semaphore Alpha.svg
A 		File:Semaphore Delta.svgD File:Semaphore Mike.svgM Semaphore India.svgI Semaphore Romeo.svgR Semaphore Alpha.svg
A 		File:Semaphore Bravo.svgB File:Semaphore Lima.svgL Semaphore Echo.svgE 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px

More Tips

Learn some landmark letters first and commit them to memory. Groups of related letters are a good choice. For example, these three make straight lines:

File:Semaphore Delta.svgD Semaphore Romeo.svgR File:Semaphore Lima.svgL 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px

These four are made by holding the flags 90° to one another, but all are at 45° to the signaler:

60pxU File:Semaphore November.svgN Semaphore India.svgI 60pxX 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px

These four are made by holding the flags 45° apart:

Semaphore Alpha.svg
A 		Semaphore Hotel.svgH File:Semaphore Oscar.svgO Semaphore Tango.svgT 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px

Most of these are fairly common letters (except for X), so knowing them will allow you to spell the better part of most words. Add an A and an S to the mix:

Semaphore Alpha.svg
A 		Semaphore Sierra.svgS 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px

and you can spell a quick sentence:

60pxU File:Semaphore November.svgN Semaphore India.svgI 60pxX 60pxRest Semaphore India.svgI Semaphore Sierra.svgS 60pxRest 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px
Semaphore Alpha.svg
A 		60pxRest Semaphore Hotel.svgH File:Semaphore Oscar.svgO Semaphore Tango.svgT Semaphore Romeo.svgR File:Semaphore Oscar.svgO File:Semaphore Delta.svgD 60pxRest File:Semaphore Oscar.svgO Semaphore Sierra.svgS 60pxRest 60px 60px 60px
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