The meaning of "k"

[HFD750 6]

To my understanding it was used back in world war II to end a transmission. So why do we use it? (well some of us)

[JohnnyOV 2]

same reason I belive

[JBE 328]

It was also a morse code used by the FDNY electricians back in the day to end a transmission. It just kind of stuck.

[Guest]

Wow i have always wanted to know that...thanks guys.

[calhobs 110]

Its also used in Sleepy Hollow to annoy our Capt to death. LOL

[JBE 328]

Used to drive em nuts in Lake Carmel, too.

[Guest WCDES636]

It is just short for O.K.

[Bababoosky 24]

I always thought that it was short for Acknowledged. Learn something new everyday!

[IzzyEng4 427]

Back when Morse Code was the means of communication, K was typed at the end of a transmission to signal "go ahead" or simply "OK go ahead" (similar to typing GA on a TDD machine for the deaf for all you dispatchers out there). It was to signal the person(s) listening that the senders transmission was ending and someone else can transmit a message. As far as I know, it is still used in HAM radio Morse code transmissions.

FDNY kept the K from the old telegraph days as tradition to signal the "go ahead and OK" over the radio. It beats the old military "Roger, Wilco, Over and Out" during radio transmissions. Just remember 10-4 is still "message received" where as "K" is end signifying the end of a message.

If there are any HAM ops out there, correct me please if I am wrong or stated it wrong.

Izzy

[WAS967 97]

K - Go ahead. Used to tell the station you are working you expect him to transmit now. Use after a CQ to invite someone to answer you. Do not use K after you answer someone's CQ since you don't know he is going to answer you, use AR.

HW? AR KB2PQE DE KC2NDA K

[JohnnyOV 2]

HW? AR KB2PQE DE KC2NDA K

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[Guest EMSCOMM80]

It was to signal the person(s) listening that the senders transmission was ending and someone else can transmit a message. 

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Reletives of mine who worked FDNY during the 1970s have said "K" came form the military, and was adapted to FDNY way back in the day. As IzzyEng4 said, it WAS used to signal the to the listening parties the transmission was ending.