What message is this morse shutter transmitting?

The following projects can be both fun and informative and could make for an interesting school or college project.  This would give students an hands on opportunity to ' bring signals history to life '; either as individuals or in groups building on team work.

Possibly allocate the role of section commander to a pupil of each group who will be responsible for tasking students in their group with specific roles and parts to build before bringing the whole project together?  Maybe research the history of the signals equipment selected to provide a historical talk of the equipment whilst being demonstrated?

Whatever the format taken.  History can be an exciting journey of discovery and what better way to learn than bringing history to life.

These projects are not just confined to school and college students.  Anyone, be they young or old, can have a go at discovering the equipment used by signalmen ..... for they are all as effective today as they were when first invented!

Just click on any of the high lighted headings for your journey of discovery to begin.

All documents will require .pdf or similar format to open.

The Morse and Phonetic Alphabet

Ever wondered what all those dots and dashes meant?  Well.  Here's your chance to learn.  The morse and Phonetic alphabets have changed very little since they were first used and out of the signalling projects provided on this page; morse is the most common used today.  You will need this chart to send and decypher messages using the mirror and Heliograph but remember; you should use the 1943 version!  This could also be a project on it's own.  A learner operator could send 5 to 9 words a minute compared to an experienced operator who could send in the region of 30 words per minute.  How fast and accurate will you become?

How to make a Heliograph

This project is based upon original instructions from a magazine dated September 1930.  Harnessing the power of the sun; the Heliograph is able to transmit messages over long distances even on a cloudy day.  This promises to be a challenging, but rewarding task. 

How to make and use Semaphore Flags

Without doubt one of the most simple of all projects.  The Semaphore has been used on land and sea for a number of centuries and is effective today as it was when first devised.  It has been seen in many forms ... but what forms where they? ..... Let your discovery of Semaphore begin!

How to make a Signal Mirror

Similar to the Heliograph; the signal mirror works on the same principle of harnessing the sun to transmit messages using morse code.  The difference being that the signal mirror is easily transportable an a pocket and can be used in any and all eventualities.  The signal mirror has been credited for saving many peoples lives as just the flash from it's surface brought attention to lost or stricken survivors. 

Advisory Notice

These projects are designed to make the learning of history an enjoyable experience for all concerned however; due to the nature of some of the materials and construction methods required. 

It is recommended that child supervision be maintained.