Dots and dashes during May
It’s May! And Morse Code appreciation month at Wythall Radio Club.
Everyone knows some Morse Code: ‘ … – – – … ‘ = SOS!
At Wythall Radio Club during May we celebrate the skill of communicating by Morse Code in honour of Lew Williams, who was an expert at Morse and former Club President.
So Club members will be having fun by making contacts with other amateur radio operators using their Morse keys – which come in all shapes and sizes! 
Many are ‘side-swiper’ keys, in which one paddle send dots and the other sends dashes. 
Side-swipers are often used instead of the traditional ‘pump’ key, with its up and down action, because they reduce the amount of wrist action and operator tiredness. 
However, pump keys are much better for learning Morse and for slower contacts. 
Here’s a short explanation for younger readers of how Morse Code was invented (you can skip the advert at start!).