Y in Morse Code: −·−−
The letter Y in Morse code is −·−−, spoken as "DAH-di-DAH-DAH": one long, one short, then two long. That is 1 dot and 3 dashes, with a dash held three times as long as a dot. To remember it, think YEL-low YO-YO (stressed, quick, stressed, 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 Y breaks down like this:
| Element | Signal | Length (units) | At 20 WPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dash | − | 3 | 180 ms |
| Gap | (silence) | 1 | 60 ms |
| Dot | · | 1 | 60 ms |
| Gap | (silence) | 1 | 60 ms |
| Dash | − | 3 | 180 ms |
| Gap | (silence) | 1 | 60 ms |
| Dash | − | 3 | 180 ms |
| Total for Y | 13 | 780 ms | |
How to signal Y
- Tap it: one long, one short, then two long. 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 long, one short, then two long. Use quick blinks for dots and slow, deliberate eye closes for dashes, keeping the rhythm steady.
- Flash it: one long, one short, then two long. Short flashes for dots; for dashes, hold the light on about three times longer. Any flashlight or phone screen works.
How to remember Y
Say YEL-low YO-YO (stressed, quick, stressed, stressed) in rhythm with the code and the pattern sticks: "DAH-di-DAH-DAH".
Words that start with Y: Yankee −·−− ·− −· −·− · ·, yard −·−− ·− ·−· −··, yarn −·−− ·− ·−· −·, yellow −·−− · ·−·· ·−·· −−− ·−−. The first is Y's NATO phonetic name, which operators use to spell aloud.
Y is one of the 'heavy' letters, three dashes against a single dot. Informally, a lone Y sometimes serves as a quick 'yes' between operators who know each other.