Breaker 101

Breaker 101!

Breaker 101 is a fundamental concept in amateur radio and Morse code. It's a way to identify yourself and signal the start of a transmission. Here's a breakdown:

What is Breaker 101?

Breaker 101 is a Morse code sequence that consists of three dots (· · ·) followed by a dash (-). It's used to signal the start of a transmission, similar to a "hello" or "hello, this is" in spoken language.

Why is it called Breaker 101?

The term "Breaker" comes from the early days of telegraphy, where a "breaker" was a device that interrupted the electrical circuit to send a signal. In Morse code, the sequence · · · - was used to "break" the circuit and signal the start of a transmission.

How to transmit Breaker 101:

To transmit Breaker 101, you'll need to use a Morse code key or a digital mode that supports Morse code. Here's the sequence:

  1. Start with three dots (· · ·): Tap the key three times, with a slight pause between each dot.
  2. Follow with a dash (-): Tap the key once, with a slightly longer pause than the dots.

When to use Breaker 101:

Breaker 101 is typically used at the beginning of a transmission to:

  1. Identify yourself: Use Breaker 101 to signal that you're about to transmit your call sign or a message.
  2. Start a transmission: Use Breaker 101 to signal the start of a transmission, especially in situations where there's a lot of background noise or interference.

Tips and variations:

Now that you know the basics of Breaker 101, give it a try and get familiar with this fundamental Morse code sequence!