−−· −−− −−− −·· −· ·· −−· ···· −
"Goodnight" in Morse code is −−· −−− −−− −·· −· ·· −−· ···· −.
Leave a short gap between letters. In writing, the letters are separated by a space. At standard timing a dot lasts one unit, a dash three units, the gap inside a letter one unit, the gap between letters three units and the gap between words seven. "Goodnight" takes 89 units, about 5.3 seconds at a speed of 20 words per minute.
Meaning: Morse code for "Goodnight" (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
Letter by letter: G is −−·, O is −−−, D is −··, N is −·, I is ··, H is ···· and T is −.
How do you pronounce it?
dah-dah-dit dah-dah-dah dah-dah-dah dah-di-dit dah-dit di-dit dah-dah-dit di-di-di-dit dah
What mistakes should you avoid?
Keep the gaps between letters. Without them, G −−· can be read as T and N − −·, which changes the message.
When do people say it?
Operators often end a contact with 73, shorthand for "best regards", followed by the prosign SK, which marks the end of the conversation.
Did you know?
- Ships stopped relying on Morse code for distress calls in 1999, when the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System took over.
- The code used today is International Morse Code, based on a version Friedrich Gerke made for German telegraph lines in 1848. It differs from the original American code in many letters.
