SPECIAL SEMAPHORE ABBREVIATIONS

sign after the first letter is made, and moved to the second letter without pausing. NUMERALS Numerals occurring in all components of a semaphore message must be spelled out. If it is desired that numerals be recorded as digits, they must be preceded and followed by the numeral sign except in the heading and ending, where numerals or numeral pennants are always recorded as digits. SPECIAL CHARACTERS The following is a list of semaphore special characters. You must know these characters to become a semaphore operator. 1. The answering sign is used to answer a call. If necessary, the answering sign may be preceded by a call sign to denote the station answered. 2. The attention sign is used as a preliminary call by semaphore and to establish communication. 3. Front sign. 4. The numeral sign is used before and after each group of numerals, or group of mixed letters and numerals in the text that are to be recorded and counted as a single group consisting of letters and digits. 5. The separative sign in semaphore is a special character made by sending the character II as one group. It is used to prevent mistakes in reception, which might occur if letters or figures of adjacent groups are run together. SPECIAL SEMAPHORE ABBREVIATIONS The abbreviation SEM may be used in calling and answering by flashing light to indicate that a semaphore message will follow or that the transmitting station is to use semaphore. Move signs are also special semaphore abbreviations. The four move signs are as follows: MD—move down ML—move to your left, as you face me MR—move to your right, as you face me MU—move up Move signs are used by the receiving station to direct the transmitter to move to a better transmitting position. CALLING A station may be called by semaphore, flashing light, or flaghoist. Semaphore A call by semaphore is made by transmitting the call sign of the station called or by just making the attention sign. It may be answered either by making the answering sign C by semaphore or by transmitting the prosign K by flashing light. Flashing Light The call for a semaphore message may be made by flashing light, in which case it is answered by flashing light. After being answered, the transmitting station then indicates a semaphore message will follow by use of the abbreviation SEM. Flaghoist To call by flaghoist, hoist the call sign of the station called above flag JULIETT. If the message is intended for all ships in visual range, hoist only flag JULIETT. DESIG hoisted below JULIETT indicates that a priority message awaits transmission. If it is desired to indicate a higher precedence, the appropriate precedence prosign (Z or O) may be hoisted below DESIG. The receiving station hoists the call sign of the transmitting station above ANS at the dip; when ready to receive the transmission, the receiving station will close up ANS, and then will haul ANS down to receipt for the transmission. The ANS pennant may be used without the call when no confusion will result. RECEIPTING Semaphore messages are receipted for by sending the prosign R by semaphore or flashing light or by hauling down the ANSWER pennant after the transmitting station hauls down the call. If the transmitting station has more semaphore messages to send and is using the flaghoist call, the call is dipped on completion of each message. The prosign B is made followed by the prosign K. The receiving ship dips the ANS pennant to receipt for the message sent. When the transmitting station is ready to transmit the next message, it closes up the hoist, and 4-11