AR

AR is one of the most useful Morse code procedural signals because it keeps communication clean. It’s basically the “I’m done with this message block” marker. If you’re sending CW or practicing structured transmissions, AR is how you stop sounding messy and start sounding professional.

People often search for things like:

• What does AR mean in Morse code?
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• How do you end a message in Morse code?
• What does .-.-. mean in Morse code?
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This page gives you the exact AR pattern, what it means, how timing works, and how to practice it so you use it correctly.

AR in Morse code: the exact pattern

AR = .-.-.

That’s:
dot, dash, dot, dash, dot

Written clearly:
.-.-.

What AR means (in plain English)

AR means:
End of message / end of a transmission block.

Think of it as:
“New paragraph” or “message finished.”

It’s commonly used when you’ve finished the content you’re sending and you want to mark a clean ending before the next part (or before you wait for a response).

AR vs other “ending” signals (don’t mix these)

AR is not the final goodbye.

AR = end of THIS message block
SK = end of contact (final sign-off)

If you’re still in the conversation, AR fits.
If you’re fully done and signing off, SK fits.

Timing rules for AR (this is the whole game)

Morse timing uses units:

• Dot = 1 unit
• Dash = 3 units
• Gap between elements inside one character = 1 unit
• Gap between characters = 3 units
• Gap between words = 7 units

AR is sent as a single procedural signal (one unit), meaning you send .-.-. with normal inside-character spacing (1 unit between each element), then you separate it from surrounding text with the standard character gap.

So AR should feel “tight” inside:
.-.-.
Then a clear pause after it (3 units) before anything else.

Common AR mistakes (avoid these)

1. People send it like two letters (A + R)
   A = .-
   R = .-.
   That’s not AR. AR is .-.-. as one procedural signal pattern.
2. Spacing is too wide inside the signal
   If you accidentally add letter gaps inside AR, it stops sounding like AR and becomes confusing. Keep inside gaps 1 unit.
3. Using AR like it means “over”
   AR doesn’t mean “your turn.” It means “end of my message block.” In real exchanges, “your turn” behavior is more about the flow, and signals like KN are used when you want a specific station to respond.

How to use AR (simple examples)

Example 1: Ending a short message block
MESSAGE AR

Meaning:
“I finished the message content.”

Example 2: Multiple chunks
PART ONE AR
PART TWO AR
FINAL PART SK

Meaning:
Two message blocks, then full sign-off.

Practice drills (fast and effective)

Drill 1: Rhythm lock
Send AR ten times:
.-.-.
Focus on:
dot short, dash 3× long, inside gaps consistent.

Drill 2: AR vs A confusion check
Alternate:
A (. -) then AR (.-.-.)
Your goal: AR feels longer and “zig-zag” rhythmic.

Drill 3: AR vs SK meaning drill
Write on paper:
AR = end of message
SK = end of contact
Then practice sending:
AR, AR, SK
So your brain stops mixing them.