Semaphore Worksheet
Semaphore Worksheet
Semaphore History:
Chappe had developed the semaphore system to be used in the French revolution, to transmit messages between Paris and Lille, which was
near the war front. In August 1794, Chappe's semaphore system delivered a message to Paris of the capture of Conde-sur-l'Escaut from the
Austrians, in less than an hour. This success led to more semaphore telegraph lines being built, radiating in a star pattern from Paris. The
semaphore network that was built in France represented the first telecommunications network in Europe. Semaphore were adopted and widely
used (with handheld flags replacing the mechanical arms of shutter semaphore) in the maritime world in the early 1800s. This was the period in
which the modern naval semaphore system was invented. This system uses hand held flags. It is still used during underway replenishment at
sea and is acceptable for emergency communication in daylight or using lighted wands instead of flags, at night.
The semaphore system became widely copied and spread to Italy, Germany, and Russia. However, the invention of the electric telegraph was to
signal the demise of semaphore, replacing it beginning in 1846.
Semaphore
K OR ‘0’ L M N O
P Q R S T
U V W X Y
Numerical Association
This method involves assigning a numeric value to each of the letter and is roughly based on the Circular
Visualization Method. Each letter will have a unique two number value. To assign the numerical value, we
use the numerical positions as seen to the right. For each letter, alway use the lower value of the two
position first and the higher value as the second. Example for the letter 'A' we will assign it the numerical
value of '01'. The letter 'B' will be assigned '02' and the letter 'R' will be '26'. See the table below the
numerical assignment using this method.
A - 01 B - 02 C - 03 D - 04 E - 05 F - 06 G - 07
H - 12 I - 13 J - 46 K - 14 L - 15 M - 16 N - 17
O - 23 P - 24 Q - 25 R - 26 S - 27 T - 34 U - 35
V - 47 W - 56 X - 57 Y - 36 Z - 67
There are several methods to signal letters. First use the ATTENTION signal to make sure the receiver
knows that there is a message pending. The receiver should signal back to you with the letter 'P' to show
you that he is ready. Begin your message by signaling the letter 'L'. This is where there are two schools of
thinking on how to signal differ. The difference is whether or not to use the INTERVAL signal between each
letter or just between each word. Use whatever method that will be most clear to the receiver. To conclude
the message, signal the letter 'A' eight (8) times. The receiver should send back to you the letter 'R' to
confirm that he has received and understood the message.
During the message if you signal incorrectly, use the sequence of signals in the chart on page 2 to indicate
that there is an error in the message. If you are the receiver, you have a set of codes to notify the signaler
also.
Semaphore Communications
Bằng Lòng Nhận Tin; (P) Chú Ý: (Mùa vòng số 8 trên đầu)
Đánh Lại; (C) Sai Lầm: (Đánh chữ N qua chữ U vài lần)
Ready to Receive Message; (P) Attention: (Move both arms in a figure 8 above head)
Please Send Message Again; (C) Error in Message: Signal (N) then (U) se veral times