Why is sos used

Morse code uses clicks and pauses, short and long sounds, or flashes of light to represent letters and numbers. S is represented by three short clicks or brief flashes of light, and O is represented by three long sounds or longer flashes of light depicted with dashes. When used this way, each letter is still pronounced individually S-O-S. Example: I have my phone set up to automatically send an SOS to certain contacts if I ever dial SOS was officially designated as a distress call in the early s.

In fact, the letters were not intended to stand for anything—they were chosen simply because they are easy to communicate in Morse code and the resulting sequence is easy to distinguish from any other message.

Morse code has since largely fallen out of practical use in favor of systems based on more advanced technologies, especially satellite communication.

However, use of the term SOS as an informal way of referring to a distress call is still common. What are some other forms of SOS? Go Further. Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city. Animals This frog mysteriously re-evolved a full set of teeth. Animals Wild Cities Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London. Animals Wild Cities Morocco has 3 million stray dogs. Meet the people trying to help. Animals Whales eat three times more than previously thought.

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Subscriber sign in You could not be signed in, please check and try again. Username Please enter your Username. Password Please enter your Password. Forgot password? Don't have an account? In , the International Wireless Telegraph Convention convened in Berlin, and delegates attempted to establish an international standard distress call.

It was chosen as the international distress signal for the nations who met at the conference, and went into effect on July 1, The wireless operators on the SS Arapahoe sent the signal when the ship was disabled by a broken propeller off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.