CWF182 t1_iucqndp wrote on October 30, 2022 at 10:03 AM

Reply to comment by UncontrolableUrge in ELI5: Morse code is made up of dots and dashes. How did telegraph operators keep from losing track of where one letter ended and another began? by copperdomebodhi

It's called the "fist" not the hand. Source I still use Morse Code as a Ham Radio Operator.

UncontrolableUrge t1_iud28ro wrote on October 30, 2022 at 12:27 PM

Do mid 20th century British writers use the same word?

CWF182 t1_iudf5sm wrote on October 30, 2022 at 2:19 PM

I don't know. But I've been a Ham since I was a kid in 1982 and I know many hams that were licensed in the early 60's. I've always heard it was someone's "fist" that was unique. However most operators since the early 80's use what is known as a "keyer" and a set of paddles. One paddle make the dit (dot) and the other makes the Dah (dash). The keyer makes perfect spacing for each letter and therefore makes you sound less unique but better and easier to copy. Also using an electronic keyer allows you to send much faster (>60wpm in some cases) than a straight key like you see in old movies.