Code/ Decode Exercise

Before taking the orals section of the exam you will be asked to complete a code or decode
exercise.
International Code of Signals books are provided in the exam but to practice you will need
to use a copy from the library.
Page 6 and 7 of your signals course notes talk about flag signalling and how to go about
coding and decoding but this document will explain in a little more depth.
International Code of Signals
The international code of signals is split into two sections. The green pages denote anything
medical (it has its own index at the back of the green section). White pages contain all other
information. You can search within the International Code of signals using the index at the
back of the book, or the contents page at the front of the book.
Anything Medical related will start with ‘M’ and contain 3 letters. This may be
supplemented by a number at the end. If it is not medical related it will be 2 letters, which
may be supplemented by a number at the end.
Everything in the book is in alphabetical order.

Decoding
Using the international code of signals, have a look at the following examples and guidance
(answers are in the document ‘Code/ Decode answers’;

MVU3 (it starts with ‘M’ so it must be medical, go to the green pages)
AM (this doesn’t start with an ‘M’ so use the white pages to look this up)
NK (again, this is not medical)

The next set of examples are all one letter followed by numbers; the answers to these can
be found on page 30 of the international code of signals. Additionally this can be found on
page 4 of your signals course notes.
L5501
R2
S14
T1530
V15
Z1430

Coding
Coding is a little harder than decoding. Look at the following examples and guidance using
the International Code of Signals;
I have had a nuclear accident on board (find a key word. I would use ‘nuclear’. Look this up
in the index. Go to the white pages to find what you are looking for. You need an EXACT
match.
Can you send a boat? (there are a couple of options here. You can pick a key word such as
boat or look up assistance as that is what the question is asking for.)
Penis is swollen (this is medical, so you should use a key word such as ‘swelling’ and look it
up in the index of the medical section)

The next set of examples can all be found on page 30 again;

Azimuth 090
Course 120
21st September 2004
Longitude 001ᵒ 01’
I wish to communicate with you using Morse Lamp. (This example states that you should
use Complements Table 1. Complements table can be found at the back of each section. As
this is not medical go to the back of the white section, before medical. You will see three
complements tables. Use table one as instructed, and look for Morse Lamp. Add this
number to your letter(s).
Something a little harder
The code/ decode exercise given to you in the exam will be a little more taxing than the
examples you have completed above. So try the following examples. (Again answers are
posted in the code/decode exercise answers document in this section.
Remember that medical codes will be 3 letters (sometimes with an additional number). All
other codes are two letters (sometimes with an additional number). The following examples
include ‘codes’ that are 4 or more letters. These are Call Signs or place names. Do not try to
separate the letters and look them up in the International code of Signals.
1. GTZX CC6 GXXQ A171 METHIL R75(AP)5 CO1 CV4 XY8 YL Z0715 2333 kHz GX

Guidance: GTZX and GXXQ are call signs. METHIL is a place name.
(AP) stands for answering pendant. When the answering pendant is used between
two numbers it becomes a decimal point.

2. I have intercepted SOS/ MAYDAY from vessel/ aircraft GLYXD in position Lat 17ᵒ
47’ at GMT 1019. I have heard nothing since.

Guidance: Remember to find a keyword. Perhaps Mayday? Look this up in the index
to get you started. Lat/ Long and times can be found on page 30 of the international
code of signals.

3. GTZX JF3 L1010 G0121 JP2 JK

Guidance: GTZX is a four letter signal not starting with M. What could it be? Look at
example 1 again if you can’t remember.
L1010 and G0121 can be found from page 30 of the international code of signals.

4. To GTZX, your distress signals are understood; the nearest life-saving station is
being informed. Your position according to bearings taken by radio direction-
finder stations which I control is Lat 10ᵒ 09’ Long 23ᵒ 23’ at GMT 0700.

5. HW HY2 EU L1232 G00414 DV CD6

6. I have sighted disabled vessel in position Lat 14ᵒ 14’N, Long 27ᵒ 27’ at 1445 LMT;
apparently without radio. I offered assistance but it was refused. There are other
vessels in the vicinity of the vessel in distress.

Guidance: if you can find something similar to what you are looking for but you wish
it to be read positively you can follow the signal with the letter ‘C’ meaning yes or
affirmative.

7. MFL09L MFE-N MAA AL-N

Guidance: if a signal is followed by ‘N’ it negates the previous group and makes that
signal read in the negative.