Semaphore is faster than flashing light for short-distance transmissions in clear daylight. Semaphore may be used to send messages to several addressees at once if they are in good positions. Because of its speed, semaphore is better adapted than are the other visual methods. Semaphore's usefulness is limited some what by its short range, it is more secure than light or radio because there is less change of interception. Speed and security are the two factors favoring the use of semaphore under daylight conditions. A single semaphore flag may be held in eight correct positions. Although one flag has only eight positions, a large number of combinations is possible when both flags are used. Of the possible combinations, 28 are used in semaphore communication. There are 26 letters in the alphabet, plus two signs meaning NUMERALS and FRONT.
The FRONT sign is used after you finish a word; it's like the space left between words in ordinary writing. It also is used before and after each call sign, code group, or procedure sign, and between all letters and numerals of a call sign.
The numeral sign is given just before you start transmitting a group of numbers that are to be recorded as numerals and again when the numerals are completed. The semaphore alphabet isn't at all hard to learn. The speed with which you learn it depends on how much you practice.
