Why does Russia continue to use Morse code in the midst of a modern war like the invasion of Ukraine?

Progress technological have allowed today’s wars to have weapons that were not previously used or available . These include different types of drones and hypersonic missiles, as well as tools using artificial intelligence (AI).

However, Certain methods of communication have persisted over the decades. . At least, in some cases.

In the context of the invasion of Russia has Ukraine morse code is still present even though it was invented over 150 years ago.

Political science professor at Lund University in Sweden, Tony Ingesson, recently said in a column he wrote for The conversation What The Russian military uses it for actions such as sending messages from bombers to control centers or from ships to their ground barracks. .

This always attracts attention, since It’s a system that dates back to the 19th century. .

However, the academic suggested some reasons why Kremlin forces resorted to this strategy despite other more innovative proposals that can be used today.

Morse code is a system of representing letters and numbers using intermittently emitted signals, which can be used in an audio format. to transmit messages.

Ingesson recalled that It was created by American inventor and artist Samuel Morse. who initially designed a device for receiving and printing text on paper.

To do this, he had the help of the machinist Alfred Vail, who created dots and dashes to represent code and came up with the idea of ​​using sound to deliver information.

They both realized that, in audio, rhythms and patterns formed that those who knew him were able to recognize.

According to the Lund specialist, “An experienced Morse code operator can fill in gaps caused by interference, poor reception, noise or equipment malfunction.” .

“From a neurological point of view, the Morse occupies a very particular niche, which has been compared to “reading with the ears” but where transmitting and receiving are more akin to the act of speaking than to writing,” he said.

This is one of the reasons why it is used, although another key factor is added: the fact that, In technical terms, it is easy to convey .

In fact, Ingesson stated that “Anyone with basic technological knowledge can build their own transmitter using standard components” .

“The signal generated by a Morse transmitter is similarly minimalist and uses a very narrow bandwidth of only 100 to 150 hertz (standard voice communications uses 2,500 to 3,000 hertz). This also means that receivers can use very narrow filters and thus eliminate a large part of the ambient noise generated by various forms of interference,” he explained.

In the same spirit, Ingesson emphasized that “You only need a minimum amount of power to cover significant distances” .

He even said, for example, that In 1956, it was demonstrated that 78 milliwatts of power could be enough to transmit from Massachusetts (United States) to Denmark. .

“It’s less than a tenth of what a single LED bulb consumes “he added.

And although this mechanism used during World War II can be deciphered both by those who understand it and – today – through the use of programs, can be protected with specific methods before sending a message .

“One of the most secure forms of encryption, the “one-time block,” requires nothing more than a pencil and paper. . Basically, a one-time block is a random string of characters, at least as long as the message to be encrypted. The sender uses their pad to encrypt, while the recipient uses a copy of the same pad to decode the message (there should only be two copies and each should be destroyed immediately after use),” Ingesson said.

So, as long as this last rule is respected, can protect the message they transmit in a simple and effective way emphasized the specialist from Lund.