How to Read the Baudot Code
- 1). Look carefully at the pattern if you are reading the Baudot code directly from a piece of paper. Each symbol is usually represented by a series of five circles or hole punches, with a perforated line separating the two left-hand keys from the three right-hand keys.
- 2). Write each series of circles down like a binary code, where each punched hole or circle is a "1" and each blank space is a "0." If all of the spaces were untouched but the fourth and fifth spaces, for example, you would write that as "00011." On your Baudot-Murray reference chart, you will see that that corresponds to the letter "A."
- 3). Look carefully for the patterns "11011" and "11111." These two patterns are possibly the most important ones to look for when translating Baudot code because they let you know which set of characters transmitting the code is using. "11011" means that the person will be using the figures set, and "11111" is referring to the letters set. So, for example, if you saw a "11111" pattern, followed by the "00011" pattern we used above, that would translate to the letter "A." However, if the person had used "11011" before "00011," it would mean "-", instead.
- 4). Look for the symbols "00100," "00010" and "01000," as they all have the same meaning whether you are using the FIGS set or the LTRS set. "00100" is the equivalent of the modern space bar, and lets you know when there are spaces between words. "00010" is the LF, or line feed, symbol, which is the equivalent of pressing the "Page Down" key, "01000" is the CR, or carriage return, symbol which is the equivalent of your computer's "Enter" key.
- 5). Circle each of the symbols above as you find them, so you don't confuse yourself while translating the rest of the character sets. Use a Baudot-Murray translator table to decipher the rest of the character sets.
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