End of an era: Western Union stops sending telegrams

**YWD67** · February 5th, 2006, 11:10 AM

One of the earliest high speed communication services comes to an end.
http://news.newstimeslive.com/story.php?id=79465

**lifehacker** · February 5th, 2006, 01:05 PM

The link is not working. Anyways I didnt now anybody still used those. There really isnt a point in telegrams with all the technology these days.

**shawners** · February 5th, 2006, 01:15 PM

With email, cell phones, faxes, wire transfers, as well as mIRC, messengers, blogs... Even cell phones with pictures and video recording.

**moneoa** · February 5th, 2006, 01:17 PM

fixed it....

**The Hunter** · February 5th, 2006, 01:21 PM

Actually I believe it still has a place during disasters. When towers go out, and other communications wont work, you can still cheaply, and easily set up to send code. When static,and interference knock out more popular types of communications again you can still get by usig Morse.

**CrashPeer44** · February 5th, 2006, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by The Hunter

Actually I believe it still has a place during disasters. When towers go out, and other communications wont work, you can still cheaply, and easily set up to send code. When static,and interference knock out more popular types of communications again you can still get by usig Morse.

Hunter is 100% right, with all these new inovations we have today, even though they might be EXTREAMLY more complex and have a greater use, when something as simple as a tower or eletrical surge, teligrams often still work

**mcovey** · February 5th, 2006, 04:27 PM

It'd be nice if we could hold onto this bit of history a little longer... but if it's dying, then let it go.

I'd still like to build my own quick wire telegram someday, and string it across the house just to see how they work.

**The Hunter** · February 5th, 2006, 04:34 PM

Morse is still used by ham operators in emergencies, and I still have my key to hook up to my little 2510 radio.

**Potato** · February 5th, 2006, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by shawners

With email, cell phones, faxes, wire transfers, as well as mIRC, messengers, blogs... Even cell phones with pictures and video recording.

You're assuming that everyone has these means of communication available to them.

**The Hunter** · February 5th, 2006, 04:40 PM

Exactly, and when communications are most needed, IE in a disaster they often are not available.

**CrashPeer44** · February 5th, 2006, 06:27 PM

Hunter, How do you build One?

**The Hunter** · February 5th, 2006, 06:39 PM

I didnt build it, it was a purchased morse code key, IE sending device, and that plugs into a transmitter. My 2510 is a small mobile radio that can send voice on AM, FM, or singlesideband, known as SSB, as well as Morse code using an old fashoned key. If the power goes out, I can hook it up to a battery, and if needed make my own antenna using some copper wire. We used to assemble radios from kits, but with todays technology that has pretty much become obsolete, as to find the parts to build a transmitter would be hard to find.

**CrashPeer44** · February 5th, 2006, 07:08 PM

cool i might look into just building a make-shift one

or even a FM Radio Brodcaster (Pirate Radio! Mwhahah!)

**pimpinaman** · February 6th, 2006, 05:42 AM

Ham radio has always been kind of a curiosity to me....sounds really cool, but the cost to get a basic set-up is kinda high isn't it? Plus it isn't condusive to apartment living.

as far as an FM broadcaster....bigger anntenna on your itrip :)

**The Hunter** · February 6th, 2006, 05:52 AM

Radios like this are all that many people are using to get started these days.

http://www.hamcity.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=5

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