Wire signal

The 92 Code was first adopted by Western Union in 1859. The reason for this adoption was to reduce bandwidth usage over the telegraph lines and speed transmissions by utilizing a numerical code system for various frequently used phrases.

1859 Western Union "92 Code"

The following code was taken from The Telegraph Instructor by G.M. Dodge.

1	Wait a minute.	25	Busy on another wire.
2	Very Important.	26	Put on ground wire.
3	What time is it?	27	Priority, very important.
4	Where shall I go ahead?	28	Do you get my writing?.
5	Have you business for me?	29	Private, deliver in sealed envelope.
6	I am ready.	30	No more - the end.
7	Are you ready?	31	Form 31 train order.
8	Close your key, stop breaking.	32	I understand that I am to ....
9	Priority business. Wire Chief's call.	33	Answer is paid.
10	Keep this circuit closed.	34	Message for all officers.
12	Do you understand?	35	You may use my signal to answer this.
13	I understand.	37	Inform all interested.
14	What is the weather?	39	Important, with priority on through wire.
15	For you and others to copy.	44	Answer promptly by wire.
17	Lightning here.	55	Important.
18	What's the trouble?	73	Best Regards.
19	Form 19 train order.	77	I have a message for you.
21	Stop for meal.	88	Love and kisses.
22	Wire test.	91	Superintendent's signal.
23	All stations copy.	92	Deliver Promptly.
24	Repeat this back.	134	Who is at the key?

1873 Telegraph Rules, Lake shore and Tuscarawas valley railway company

The following code was taken from 1873 Telegraph Rules, Lake shore and Tuscarawas valley railway company

1	Wait a minute.
2	Train Orders.
3	Give me the correct time
4	Where shall I go ahead?
5	Have you anything for me?
6	I have a message for you.
7	I have a message for you.
8	What is the matter?
9	Very important business; must take precedence.
10	Keep circuit closed.
12	How do you understand this?
13	I (or we) understand—
15	Inform all interested.
19	Ready for business.
20	Repeat this back to me.
21	Lightning troubles.
22	Busy on other circuit.
23	Have you report of—
24	My instrument works badly.
25	Did you get my writing?
44	Answer quick.
134	Who is at the key?

As in Phillips Code

Code	Meaning
Wire	Preference over everything except 95
1	Wait a moment
2	Important business
3	What time is it?
4	Where shall I go ahead?
5	Have you business for me?
6	I am ready
7	Are you ready?
8	Close your key; ckt is busy
9	Close your key for priority business (wire chief, dspr, etc.)
10	Keep this ckt closed.
12	Do you understand?
13	I understand
14	What is the weather?
15	For you and other to copy
17	Lightning here
18	What is the trouble?
19	Form 19 Train Order
21	Stop for meal
22	Wire test
23	All copy
24	Repeat this back
25	Busy on anr wire
26	Put on gnd wire
27	Priority, very important
28	Do you get my writing?
29	Private, deliver in sealed envelope.
30	No more -end
31	Form 31 train order
32	I understand that I am to...
33	Car report (Also, answer is paid for)
34	Msg for all officers
35	You may use my signal to answer this
37	Diversion (Also, inform all interested)
39	Important, with priority on thru wire. (Also, sleep-car report)
44	Answer promptly by wire
73	Best regards
88	Love and kisses
91	Supt's signal
92	Deliver promptly
93	Vice pres. & gen. mgr's signals
95	President's signal
134	Who is at the key?

Contemporary usage

Today, amateur radio operators still use codes 73 and 88 profusely and –30– is used in journalism. Radio-amateurs also occasionally use the code 99 for "Go to Hell", though this may be their own addition to the code-table. The Young Ladies Radio League uses the code 33, which means "love sealed with friendship and mutual respect between one YL [young lady] and another YL." The other codes have mostly fallen into disuse.

External links

• Stuttgart Telegraph Convention 1857 between states of the Austro-Germanic Union.

official title "Revised Convention of the Austro-German Telegraph Union, Stuttgart, 3 October 1857, 118 CTS5"? ("Service Instructions" section)

• International Communications: The International Telecommunication Union and Universal Postal Union (page 19)
• Western Union and the Creation of the American Corporate Order, 1845-1893 By Joshua D. Wolff
• The Western Union Telegraph Company, rules, regulations, and instructions
• Wood's Plan of Telegraphic Instruction
• On the Origin of 73