R in Morse Code: ·−·
The letter R in Morse code is ·−·, spoken as "di-DAH-dit": one short, one long, then one short. That is 2 dots and 1 dash, with a dash held three times as long as a dot. To remember it, think ro-TA-tion (only the middle syllable is stressed).
Timing: how long each part lasts
Morse timing is built from one unit, the length of a dot. A dash is 3 units, and the silence between the elements of a single character is 1 unit. At 20 words per minute, one unit is 60 ms, so R breaks down like this:
| Element | Signal | Length (units) | At 20 WPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dot | · | 1 | 60 ms |
| Gap | (silence) | 1 | 60 ms |
| Dash | − | 3 | 180 ms |
| Gap | (silence) | 1 | 60 ms |
| Dot | · | 1 | 60 ms |
| Total for R | 7 | 420 ms | |
How to signal R
- Tap it: one short, one long, then one short. A short is a quick tap; a long is a heavier tap, or a quick tap followed by a slight hold, about three times as long.
- Blink it: one short, one long, then one short. Use quick blinks for dots and slow, deliberate eye closes for dashes, keeping the rhythm steady.
- Flash it: one short, one long, then one short. Short flashes for dots; for dashes, hold the light on about three times longer. Any flashlight or phone screen works.
How to remember R
Say ro-TA-tion (only the middle syllable is stressed) in rhythm with the code and the pattern sticks: "di-DAH-dit".
Words that start with R: Romeo ·−· −−− −− · −−−, rain ·−· ·− ·· −·, river ·−· ·· ···− · ·−·, rope ·−· −−− ·−−· ·. The first is R's NATO phonetic name, which operators use to spell aloud.
R sent by itself means 'received' in radio procedure. That convention is the origin of saying 'roger' for 'message understood'.