This article, which we see in foreign films, is a clear call for help, as people who fell on a deserted island write SOS on the beach in capital letters. Have you ever thought about what it means? Although it is thought to be an abbreviation of many different sentences, let’s take a closer look at what SOS means, which is actually created with Morse code, and see its historical story.
Many of us have met the SOS text in movies. People who are in distress and asking for help, instead of using long sentences like help or help, simply write SOS where everyone can see it, and strangely, everyone understands what it means. Even if we don’t know the details, as soon as we all see We understand that the SOS text is a help signal. So what does SOS stand for?
SOS is actually the international Morse code emergency signal. It was approved in an international conference in the 20th century and accepted as a common call for help all over the world. If you think that these letters, which have no meaning side by side, are only an abbreviation, you are wrong because the only purpose of this signal is to make it look unique. Bride What does SOS mean? Let’s take a closer look and see its historical story.
What does SOS mean?
SOS is the international Morse code emergency signal. It is written as three dots, three dashes, three dots (···—···) in Morse code. It is a common call for help all over the world, especially for seafarers. It can be written in Morse code, in writing or with light. All letters are written consecutively, without spaces, unlike the general Morse code.
What does SOS stand for?
SOS signal believed to be the The two most common sentences are:
- Save Our Ship – Save Our Ship
- Save Our Souls
So what does SOS stand for? Unfortunately not both. because SOS is not an acronym, Therefore, it is written without spaces and without spaces between letters. SOS is a signal uniquely typed in Morse code only. Since it is not an abbreviation for anything, the SOS signal, which is not an abbreviation, is just an emergency signal consisting of three letters side by side.
SOS date:
First, let’s go back to the past, when the fastest way of communication was the telegraph. Morse code consisting of dots and lines was used when communicating by telegraph. well It was quite difficult to write what you wanted. For this reason, short signals were used, especially for important topics, along with short and clear texts. Emergencies were the most important times for signaling.
Although the telegraph system was an accepted form of communication all over the world, there was no common signal for the emergency. for example The British used CQD, the US Navy NC, the Italians SSSDD signals. It was possible to communicate with these signals in the country’s own waters, but in international waters, it was not possible for everyone to understand these signals.
In 1906, the International Convention on Radiotelegraphy was convened in Berlin, the capital of Germany, and It was decided to create a common emergency signal. According to the resolution adopted on November 3, 1906 and entered into force on July 1, 1908, the international emergency signal would now be SOS, written in Morse code (···—···). However, this decision was not implemented immediately.
The fate of the passengers of the Titanic might have changed if SOS had sent a signal:
Still considered one of the world’s greatest maritime disasters to this day, the RMS Titanic was a British ship. When it hit the iceberg on April 15, 1912 and began to sink The ship’s telegraph operators sent a mix of CQD and SOS signals, out of habit and tension.
Don’t say that they wrote it. Such signals are vital in shipping, and the slightest confusion can cost hours. Of course, it is possible to talk about many different reasons, but due to the international distress signal not being sent Aid to the Titanic is thought to have arrived late. After the Titanic disaster, the SOS signal has become used by everyone with an indisputable acceptance.
SOS-like signals:
- SOS AAA reports airstrike.
- SOS QQQ reports an unknown attack.
- SOS RRR reports a surface attack.
- SOS FAQ reports a submarine attack.
How to make an SOS call?
The SOS signal has been recognized as the international emergency signal, as it is the most easily shared code and is unique. Unlike Morse code in general are shared consecutively and without spaces. Three dots for S … three dashes for O — and three dots for S again.
It is possible to write the SOS signal directly anywhere with the letters S, O, S side by side without spaces and without a period between them. You can also share the SOS signal with the help of light. For example, you have a flashlight. When you flash it three times in a row, three times in a row, and three times in a short flash, the person who sees this light will understand that it is an emergency signal, no matter where you are in the world.
Why was SOS an emergency signal?
In Morse code, each letter corresponds to dots, dashes and spaces. Since there is no time limit in ordinary radio communication, you can send signals as you wish. However when the matter is an emergency you should send the most understandable, short and unique signal. Here, the SOS call has been chosen because it has all the features and is not easily confused with another message.
Let’s put the Morse code aside and imagine that you are on a deserted island or on the top of a mountain. Your goal is to have planes and ships passing by from afar, seeing you from all angles. Letters of the SOS call from anywhere, from any angle it is seen in the same way, allowing everyone to understand this emergency signal without leaving any question marks. It reads the same way when viewed backwards.
Is SOS still used?
As we all know, communication systems have developed so much that neither SOS calls nor Morse code is needed. In fact, since 2007, radio operators are not even required to know Morse code. It continues to be used only in the naval forces of countries. But even for them Morse code or SOS is not their primary emergency signal. You can still use the SOS call if you get stuck somewhere.
international emergency signal What does SOS mean, what does SOS stand for We talked about the history of SOS by answering the questions. Although it may seem interesting when we consider today’s communication systems, it is possible to say that the SOS call was truly life-saving for its time.