CW vs. Morse

CW stands for Continuous Wave. It is a method of transmitting radio signals by switching the carrier on and off in certain patterns. It uses a constant frequency and a constant amplitude.

With FM (Frequency Modulation) the information is transmitted by changes in the frequency of the radio signal. With AM (Amplitude Modulation) the information is transmitted by changes in the amplitude of the radio signal. With CW the information is transmitted by switching the carrier on and off.

If the carrier is switched on, the other side hears a beep. If the carrier is switched off, the other side hears nothing. The pattern in which the carrier is switched on and off determines the information that is sent.

The pattern we use in CW is Morse Code. We have agreed, internationally, that we can switch on the carrier for a short period of time, and for a long period of time. The short period we call a “dit” or a “dot” (.); the long period we call a “dah” or a “dash” (-). A dash is generally thrice as long as a dit.

We can use one or more dits, or one or more dahs, or a combination of dits and dahs to make up letters. For example a single dit is the letter E, a single dah the letter T. Three dits in a row is the letter S, and three dahs in a row is the letter O. The space between the dits and dahs within a letter is equally long as one dit.

The space between letters is equal in length to three dits (or actually two dits spaced by one dit). The space between words is seven dits long (or actually two dahs spaced by one dit).

In short, CW is the modulation technique, and Morse Code is the language.

We could come up with a new Morse Code that uses short, long, and very long beeps. Or one that only uses short beeps. We can still transmit that new code using CW.

We can use Morse Code without CW, by writing it down (.-.. .. -.- . / – …. .. …), by turning a light on and off, or by actually saying “dit” and “dah”.

Saying CW is equal to Morse Code, is like saying SSB is equal to English.