During November and December of 1997, United Kingdom Coast Radio Stations were broadcasting the following message: From 010000z January 1998 the Coastguard Agency no longer requires British Telecom maritime radio services to maintain 500Khz distress watch. At the same time, British Telecom MF coast radio stations will cease all morse commercial services. The morse services will continue as normal via Portishead radio/GKA. MF coast station staff send best wishes to all radio operators, past and present, who used Britain's MF morse services during the past 89 years.
The UK's 500kHz Morse Telegraphy service finally closed in the early hours of 1st january 1998 with a last exchange between GLD and GPK:- GLD de GPK 73 David, lets hope GMDSS is as gud. 73 de GPK GPK de GLD ok, gud luck Graham GLD nw QRT
The earliest telegraph was in code though the form of Morse Code underwent some changes before settling down. Samuel Morse's original code was modified considerably from the original.All diacritical marks (accents used in foreign languages) and punctuation are possible in CW.
The Titanic sent it's last urgent call in Morse code.
Dr Cripin was arrested - the first criminal so caught - by early radio message to the London police.
So despite it`s long and distinguished service during which morse code saved countless lives and , indeed , played no mean role in our wartime triumphs, morse code is consigned to relative obscurity being the preserve of the Radio amateur!
It is still a mode of communication enjoyed by many and long may it continue to be so!