How to Generate Morse Code on Linux

Morse code is a method of transmitting messages by using a series of dots and dashes to represent letters and numbers. While not as widely used today as it was in the past, it can still be a fun and interesting tool to learn and use. In this guide, we will show you how to generate Morse code from the command line on Linux using two different tools: beep and morse.

Using beep

beep is a simple tool that allows you to generate various types of sounds and tones from the command line. One of the sounds that it can generate is Morse code.

Step 1: Open Terminal

Open the terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T on your keyboard or by searching for it in the applications menu.

Step 2: Install beep

On Debian/Ubuntu-based distros, run:

sudo apt install beep morse

On Fedora/RPM-based distros, run:

sudo dnf install beep morse

On Arch-based distros, run:

sudo pacman -S beep morse

Step 3: Generate Code

Type the following command to generate a Morse code sound:

beep -f [frequency] -l [length] -n -d [delay] -r [repeats] -e /usr/share/sounds/speech-dispatcher/test.wav “$(morse [text])”

Replace the following variables:

[frequency]: The frequency of the beep in Hertz (Hz). A good frequency to use for Morse code is 800 Hz.

[length]: The length of each beep or dash in milliseconds. A good length to use for Morse code is 200 milliseconds.

[delay]: The delay between each beep or dash in milliseconds. A good delay to use for Morse code is 100 milliseconds.

[repeats]: The number of times to repeat the Morse code sequence. A good number to use is 1.

[text]: The text to convert to Morse code.

Here’s an example command:

beep -f 800 -l 200 -n -d 100 -r 1 -e /usr/share/sounds/speech-dispatcher/test.wav “$(morse ‘SOS’)”

Using morse

morse is a command line tool that allows you to convert text to Morse code and vice versa. It can also be used to generate Morse code sounds.

Step 1: Open Terminal

Open the terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T on your keyboard or by searching for it in the applications menu.

Step 2: Install morse

On Debian/Ubuntu-based distros, run:

sudo apt install beep morse

On Fedora/RPM-based distros, run:

sudo dnf install beep morse

On Arch-based distros, run:

sudo pacman -S beep morse

Step 3: Generate Code

Type the following command to generate a Morse code sound:

morse -s [speed] -p [pitch] -f [format] -d [duration] “[text]”

Replace the following variables:

[speed]: The speed of the Morse code in words per minute (wpm). A good speed to use for Morse code is 20 wpm.

[pitch]: The pitch of the Morse code sound in Hertz (Hz). A good pitch to use for Morse code is 600 Hz.

[format]: The format of the Morse code sound file. A good format to use is wav.

[duration]: The duration of the Morse code sound file in seconds. A good duration to use for Morse code is 3 seconds.

[text]: The text to convert to Morse code.

Here’s an example command:

morse -s 20 -p 600 -f wav -d 3 “SOS” > sos.wav && aplay sos.wav

Conclusion

In conclusion, generating Morse code from the command line on Linux can be a fun and interesting tool to learn and use. With the tools we’ve shown here, you can easily convert text to Morse code and generate Morse audio files to transmit your message. Whether you’re learning Morse code for fun or for practical purposes, the command line interface offers a flexible and customizable way to generate and transmit Morse code signals. With a little bit of experimentation and creativity, you can come up with many creative ways to use Morse code in your Linux command line projects.