How To: Use a Morse Code Translator to Decipher Secret Messages Online

You've probably heard about Rep. Greg Walden (R-WA) tweeting in Morse code back in December.

.-- .. .-.. .-.. / -.-. .... .- .. .-. / -.-. --- -- -- / .- -. -.. / - . -.-. .... / ... ..- -... / --... ...-- ... / .-- --... . --.- ..

That was posted on his Twitter account, and translates to:

WILL/CHAIR/COMM/AND/TECH/SUB/73S/W7EQI 

Obviously, the slashes aren't needed, but make it easier to read in a tweet.

So, it would really be:

WILL CHAIR COMM AND TECH SUB 73S W7EQI

It referred to his new role as chairman of the House Commerce Committee's Communications subcommittee.  But many were confused with the last remarks, 73S W7EQI.

Walden stated that "73S" means 'best regards', a common sign-off, and "W7EQI" was his amateur radio call sign.

But many who actually know sign-off codes noticed a minor mistake with Walden's "73S".

Lloyd C commented: "73S" is a solecism; "73", whose original meaning is "kind regards", is already plural.   If he doesn't know that, is he fit for anything?

But aside from Rep. Walden's Morse code announcement, I'm more curious as to how I translate Morse code, and I found an easy website that will help you translate either English to Morse code or Morse code to English.

It's called OnlineConversion.com, and actually has lots of conversion tools online.  But for Morse code translation, just go directly to the Online Morse Code Translator.

There's no need to put in slashes.  When it says "separate each character with a space", it means the letter, not the periods (.) or hyphens (-).  So, there needs to be a space in-between each letter and a couple between each word.

To help you out with Morse code in general, check out the below deciphered graph of the International Mose Code alphabet.

You can also build your own DIY Morse code telegraph machine!