If I receive a SOS signal, what is the proper response?












4












$begingroup$


My 5-year old son loves sending out an SOS signal using a toy Morse code generator (wired, don't worry about false alarms for real authorities).



He has learnt to send the SOS signal and was asking me to send a response to him to let him know that help is on the way.



What Morse code should I respond with in a real life situation when I hear a distress call on radio?










share|improve this question









New contributor




Hanky Panky is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    How about a real life story? Here is one where the proper response was merely to call 911. heraldnet.com/news/hiker-safe-with-help-of-ham-radio
    $endgroup$
    – K7PEH
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    Brilliant! thank you so much for the link
    $endgroup$
    – Hanky Panky
    1 hour ago
















4












$begingroup$


My 5-year old son loves sending out an SOS signal using a toy Morse code generator (wired, don't worry about false alarms for real authorities).



He has learnt to send the SOS signal and was asking me to send a response to him to let him know that help is on the way.



What Morse code should I respond with in a real life situation when I hear a distress call on radio?










share|improve this question









New contributor




Hanky Panky is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    How about a real life story? Here is one where the proper response was merely to call 911. heraldnet.com/news/hiker-safe-with-help-of-ham-radio
    $endgroup$
    – K7PEH
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    Brilliant! thank you so much for the link
    $endgroup$
    – Hanky Panky
    1 hour ago














4












4








4





$begingroup$


My 5-year old son loves sending out an SOS signal using a toy Morse code generator (wired, don't worry about false alarms for real authorities).



He has learnt to send the SOS signal and was asking me to send a response to him to let him know that help is on the way.



What Morse code should I respond with in a real life situation when I hear a distress call on radio?










share|improve this question









New contributor




Hanky Panky is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$




My 5-year old son loves sending out an SOS signal using a toy Morse code generator (wired, don't worry about false alarms for real authorities).



He has learnt to send the SOS signal and was asking me to send a response to him to let him know that help is on the way.



What Morse code should I respond with in a real life situation when I hear a distress call on radio?







cw procedure emergency






share|improve this question









New contributor




Hanky Panky is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









New contributor




Hanky Panky is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 3 hours ago









Kevin Reid AG6YO

16.2k33170




16.2k33170






New contributor




Hanky Panky is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked 8 hours ago









Hanky PankyHanky Panky

1214




1214




New contributor




Hanky Panky is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





Hanky Panky is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






Hanky Panky is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












  • $begingroup$
    How about a real life story? Here is one where the proper response was merely to call 911. heraldnet.com/news/hiker-safe-with-help-of-ham-radio
    $endgroup$
    – K7PEH
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    Brilliant! thank you so much for the link
    $endgroup$
    – Hanky Panky
    1 hour ago


















  • $begingroup$
    How about a real life story? Here is one where the proper response was merely to call 911. heraldnet.com/news/hiker-safe-with-help-of-ham-radio
    $endgroup$
    – K7PEH
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    Brilliant! thank you so much for the link
    $endgroup$
    – Hanky Panky
    1 hour ago
















$begingroup$
How about a real life story? Here is one where the proper response was merely to call 911. heraldnet.com/news/hiker-safe-with-help-of-ham-radio
$endgroup$
– K7PEH
1 hour ago




$begingroup$
How about a real life story? Here is one where the proper response was merely to call 911. heraldnet.com/news/hiker-safe-with-help-of-ham-radio
$endgroup$
– K7PEH
1 hour ago












$begingroup$
Brilliant! thank you so much for the link
$endgroup$
– Hanky Panky
1 hour ago




$begingroup$
Brilliant! thank you so much for the link
$endgroup$
– Hanky Panky
1 hour ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















5












$begingroup$

Since you're simulating the situation with non-transmitting equipment, you get the play the part of actual emergency agencies. You'd start by asking the SOS caller to identify themselves (call sign, ship name, etc.) and give their location and the nature of the emergency.



Of course, unless your 5 year old knows a lot more Morse than just SOS, that's where the exchange will end -- but this is a good way to get him interested in learning the whole alphabet (if he hasn't), getting his speed up, learning prosigns, and so forth.



In a real life situation, the FCC says you should respond to the caller and ask what assistance is needed -- pretty much what you'll do in simulation with your son. Find out what's the emergency, where the caller is located (latitude and longitude, map grid, or town and address), etc.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$









  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Thanks. Guy knows ICAO phonetics and can easily identify himself as Mike Sierra Delta with Mayday Mayday Mayday.
    $endgroup$
    – Hanky Panky
    3 hours ago





















2












$begingroup$

To respond to a received Morse SOS by radio requires a transmit system and operator able to do that.



Normally a transmit station license issued by the appropriate regulating agency having jurisdiction for that receive location is required to operate such a transmitter.



If no such transmit capabilities are available, then relaying the details of the SOS message to an appropriate, emergency response organization is about the best recourse available.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$





















    2












    $begingroup$

    Since this is all for a bit of fun, you could respond with the typical Morse Code response to indicate that the last transmission was successfully received: R:



    •-•


    Some operators stylize this as two R's sent consecutively. You could also use your "Dad" call sign by appending "de DAD":



    -••  •    -••  •-  -••


    which means this transmission is "from Dad".



    As others have pointed out, in a real situation the response would either ask for clarifying information (e.g. a location or nature of emergency) or it would be a confirmation that help is on the way. If I were responding, I would end my transmission with "de W9IQ" to indicate my FCC assigned call.






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      How about ACK?
      $endgroup$
      – Hanky Panky
      1 hour ago












    • $begingroup$
      @HankyPanky "ACK" isn't typically used with Morse Code but it is only for fun so feel free. A more likely response for an amateur radio operator with either be the indicated "R" or "QSL" meaning message received.
      $endgroup$
      – Glenn W9IQ
      1 hour ago










    • $begingroup$
      Perfect. I will discuss R and QSL both with him. Its good to use those because they can someday be real useful for him in real life, as opposed to non standard phrases.
      $endgroup$
      – Hanky Panky
      1 hour ago











    Your Answer





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    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

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    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

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    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

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    5












    $begingroup$

    Since you're simulating the situation with non-transmitting equipment, you get the play the part of actual emergency agencies. You'd start by asking the SOS caller to identify themselves (call sign, ship name, etc.) and give their location and the nature of the emergency.



    Of course, unless your 5 year old knows a lot more Morse than just SOS, that's where the exchange will end -- but this is a good way to get him interested in learning the whole alphabet (if he hasn't), getting his speed up, learning prosigns, and so forth.



    In a real life situation, the FCC says you should respond to the caller and ask what assistance is needed -- pretty much what you'll do in simulation with your son. Find out what's the emergency, where the caller is located (latitude and longitude, map grid, or town and address), etc.






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$









    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Thanks. Guy knows ICAO phonetics and can easily identify himself as Mike Sierra Delta with Mayday Mayday Mayday.
      $endgroup$
      – Hanky Panky
      3 hours ago


















    5












    $begingroup$

    Since you're simulating the situation with non-transmitting equipment, you get the play the part of actual emergency agencies. You'd start by asking the SOS caller to identify themselves (call sign, ship name, etc.) and give their location and the nature of the emergency.



    Of course, unless your 5 year old knows a lot more Morse than just SOS, that's where the exchange will end -- but this is a good way to get him interested in learning the whole alphabet (if he hasn't), getting his speed up, learning prosigns, and so forth.



    In a real life situation, the FCC says you should respond to the caller and ask what assistance is needed -- pretty much what you'll do in simulation with your son. Find out what's the emergency, where the caller is located (latitude and longitude, map grid, or town and address), etc.






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$









    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Thanks. Guy knows ICAO phonetics and can easily identify himself as Mike Sierra Delta with Mayday Mayday Mayday.
      $endgroup$
      – Hanky Panky
      3 hours ago
















    5












    5








    5





    $begingroup$

    Since you're simulating the situation with non-transmitting equipment, you get the play the part of actual emergency agencies. You'd start by asking the SOS caller to identify themselves (call sign, ship name, etc.) and give their location and the nature of the emergency.



    Of course, unless your 5 year old knows a lot more Morse than just SOS, that's where the exchange will end -- but this is a good way to get him interested in learning the whole alphabet (if he hasn't), getting his speed up, learning prosigns, and so forth.



    In a real life situation, the FCC says you should respond to the caller and ask what assistance is needed -- pretty much what you'll do in simulation with your son. Find out what's the emergency, where the caller is located (latitude and longitude, map grid, or town and address), etc.






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$



    Since you're simulating the situation with non-transmitting equipment, you get the play the part of actual emergency agencies. You'd start by asking the SOS caller to identify themselves (call sign, ship name, etc.) and give their location and the nature of the emergency.



    Of course, unless your 5 year old knows a lot more Morse than just SOS, that's where the exchange will end -- but this is a good way to get him interested in learning the whole alphabet (if he hasn't), getting his speed up, learning prosigns, and so forth.



    In a real life situation, the FCC says you should respond to the caller and ask what assistance is needed -- pretty much what you'll do in simulation with your son. Find out what's the emergency, where the caller is located (latitude and longitude, map grid, or town and address), etc.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered 3 hours ago









    Zeiss IkonZeiss Ikon

    48919




    48919








    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Thanks. Guy knows ICAO phonetics and can easily identify himself as Mike Sierra Delta with Mayday Mayday Mayday.
      $endgroup$
      – Hanky Panky
      3 hours ago
















    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Thanks. Guy knows ICAO phonetics and can easily identify himself as Mike Sierra Delta with Mayday Mayday Mayday.
      $endgroup$
      – Hanky Panky
      3 hours ago










    1




    1




    $begingroup$
    Thanks. Guy knows ICAO phonetics and can easily identify himself as Mike Sierra Delta with Mayday Mayday Mayday.
    $endgroup$
    – Hanky Panky
    3 hours ago






    $begingroup$
    Thanks. Guy knows ICAO phonetics and can easily identify himself as Mike Sierra Delta with Mayday Mayday Mayday.
    $endgroup$
    – Hanky Panky
    3 hours ago













    2












    $begingroup$

    To respond to a received Morse SOS by radio requires a transmit system and operator able to do that.



    Normally a transmit station license issued by the appropriate regulating agency having jurisdiction for that receive location is required to operate such a transmitter.



    If no such transmit capabilities are available, then relaying the details of the SOS message to an appropriate, emergency response organization is about the best recourse available.






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$


















      2












      $begingroup$

      To respond to a received Morse SOS by radio requires a transmit system and operator able to do that.



      Normally a transmit station license issued by the appropriate regulating agency having jurisdiction for that receive location is required to operate such a transmitter.



      If no such transmit capabilities are available, then relaying the details of the SOS message to an appropriate, emergency response organization is about the best recourse available.






      share|improve this answer









      $endgroup$
















        2












        2








        2





        $begingroup$

        To respond to a received Morse SOS by radio requires a transmit system and operator able to do that.



        Normally a transmit station license issued by the appropriate regulating agency having jurisdiction for that receive location is required to operate such a transmitter.



        If no such transmit capabilities are available, then relaying the details of the SOS message to an appropriate, emergency response organization is about the best recourse available.






        share|improve this answer









        $endgroup$



        To respond to a received Morse SOS by radio requires a transmit system and operator able to do that.



        Normally a transmit station license issued by the appropriate regulating agency having jurisdiction for that receive location is required to operate such a transmitter.



        If no such transmit capabilities are available, then relaying the details of the SOS message to an appropriate, emergency response organization is about the best recourse available.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 4 hours ago









        Richard FryRichard Fry

        1,004212




        1,004212























            2












            $begingroup$

            Since this is all for a bit of fun, you could respond with the typical Morse Code response to indicate that the last transmission was successfully received: R:



            •-•


            Some operators stylize this as two R's sent consecutively. You could also use your "Dad" call sign by appending "de DAD":



            -••  •    -••  •-  -••


            which means this transmission is "from Dad".



            As others have pointed out, in a real situation the response would either ask for clarifying information (e.g. a location or nature of emergency) or it would be a confirmation that help is on the way. If I were responding, I would end my transmission with "de W9IQ" to indicate my FCC assigned call.






            share|improve this answer











            $endgroup$













            • $begingroup$
              How about ACK?
              $endgroup$
              – Hanky Panky
              1 hour ago












            • $begingroup$
              @HankyPanky "ACK" isn't typically used with Morse Code but it is only for fun so feel free. A more likely response for an amateur radio operator with either be the indicated "R" or "QSL" meaning message received.
              $endgroup$
              – Glenn W9IQ
              1 hour ago










            • $begingroup$
              Perfect. I will discuss R and QSL both with him. Its good to use those because they can someday be real useful for him in real life, as opposed to non standard phrases.
              $endgroup$
              – Hanky Panky
              1 hour ago
















            2












            $begingroup$

            Since this is all for a bit of fun, you could respond with the typical Morse Code response to indicate that the last transmission was successfully received: R:



            •-•


            Some operators stylize this as two R's sent consecutively. You could also use your "Dad" call sign by appending "de DAD":



            -••  •    -••  •-  -••


            which means this transmission is "from Dad".



            As others have pointed out, in a real situation the response would either ask for clarifying information (e.g. a location or nature of emergency) or it would be a confirmation that help is on the way. If I were responding, I would end my transmission with "de W9IQ" to indicate my FCC assigned call.






            share|improve this answer











            $endgroup$













            • $begingroup$
              How about ACK?
              $endgroup$
              – Hanky Panky
              1 hour ago












            • $begingroup$
              @HankyPanky "ACK" isn't typically used with Morse Code but it is only for fun so feel free. A more likely response for an amateur radio operator with either be the indicated "R" or "QSL" meaning message received.
              $endgroup$
              – Glenn W9IQ
              1 hour ago










            • $begingroup$
              Perfect. I will discuss R and QSL both with him. Its good to use those because they can someday be real useful for him in real life, as opposed to non standard phrases.
              $endgroup$
              – Hanky Panky
              1 hour ago














            2












            2








            2





            $begingroup$

            Since this is all for a bit of fun, you could respond with the typical Morse Code response to indicate that the last transmission was successfully received: R:



            •-•


            Some operators stylize this as two R's sent consecutively. You could also use your "Dad" call sign by appending "de DAD":



            -••  •    -••  •-  -••


            which means this transmission is "from Dad".



            As others have pointed out, in a real situation the response would either ask for clarifying information (e.g. a location or nature of emergency) or it would be a confirmation that help is on the way. If I were responding, I would end my transmission with "de W9IQ" to indicate my FCC assigned call.






            share|improve this answer











            $endgroup$



            Since this is all for a bit of fun, you could respond with the typical Morse Code response to indicate that the last transmission was successfully received: R:



            •-•


            Some operators stylize this as two R's sent consecutively. You could also use your "Dad" call sign by appending "de DAD":



            -••  •    -••  •-  -••


            which means this transmission is "from Dad".



            As others have pointed out, in a real situation the response would either ask for clarifying information (e.g. a location or nature of emergency) or it would be a confirmation that help is on the way. If I were responding, I would end my transmission with "de W9IQ" to indicate my FCC assigned call.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited 2 hours ago

























            answered 2 hours ago









            Glenn W9IQGlenn W9IQ

            16.4k11146




            16.4k11146












            • $begingroup$
              How about ACK?
              $endgroup$
              – Hanky Panky
              1 hour ago












            • $begingroup$
              @HankyPanky "ACK" isn't typically used with Morse Code but it is only for fun so feel free. A more likely response for an amateur radio operator with either be the indicated "R" or "QSL" meaning message received.
              $endgroup$
              – Glenn W9IQ
              1 hour ago










            • $begingroup$
              Perfect. I will discuss R and QSL both with him. Its good to use those because they can someday be real useful for him in real life, as opposed to non standard phrases.
              $endgroup$
              – Hanky Panky
              1 hour ago


















            • $begingroup$
              How about ACK?
              $endgroup$
              – Hanky Panky
              1 hour ago












            • $begingroup$
              @HankyPanky "ACK" isn't typically used with Morse Code but it is only for fun so feel free. A more likely response for an amateur radio operator with either be the indicated "R" or "QSL" meaning message received.
              $endgroup$
              – Glenn W9IQ
              1 hour ago










            • $begingroup$
              Perfect. I will discuss R and QSL both with him. Its good to use those because they can someday be real useful for him in real life, as opposed to non standard phrases.
              $endgroup$
              – Hanky Panky
              1 hour ago
















            $begingroup$
            How about ACK?
            $endgroup$
            – Hanky Panky
            1 hour ago






            $begingroup$
            How about ACK?
            $endgroup$
            – Hanky Panky
            1 hour ago














            $begingroup$
            @HankyPanky "ACK" isn't typically used with Morse Code but it is only for fun so feel free. A more likely response for an amateur radio operator with either be the indicated "R" or "QSL" meaning message received.
            $endgroup$
            – Glenn W9IQ
            1 hour ago




            $begingroup$
            @HankyPanky "ACK" isn't typically used with Morse Code but it is only for fun so feel free. A more likely response for an amateur radio operator with either be the indicated "R" or "QSL" meaning message received.
            $endgroup$
            – Glenn W9IQ
            1 hour ago












            $begingroup$
            Perfect. I will discuss R and QSL both with him. Its good to use those because they can someday be real useful for him in real life, as opposed to non standard phrases.
            $endgroup$
            – Hanky Panky
            1 hour ago




            $begingroup$
            Perfect. I will discuss R and QSL both with him. Its good to use those because they can someday be real useful for him in real life, as opposed to non standard phrases.
            $endgroup$
            – Hanky Panky
            1 hour ago










            Hanky Panky is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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