What Is the KN Prosign in Morse Code?
KN is the prosign meaning named station only / go ahead, specific station. The letters K and N are sent run-together as one 5-signal symbol — identical to the open parenthesis.
When you search for “kn prosign in morse code”, “morse code for kn prosign”, or “KN in morse code”, the answer is the same ITU-standard pattern: -.--.. Other common names for this prosign include named station only, invitation to specific station, open parenthesis substitute.
When to Use the KN Prosign
Use KN at the end of your transmission when you only want the station you are working with to reply — not anyone else who may be listening on frequency.
Practice: What Is the Morse Code for the KN Prosign?
Select the correct Morse code for the kn prosign (KN):
How to Tap the KN Prosign in Morse Code
To transmit the kn prosign (-.--.), use this sequence:
ITU Timing Rules
- Dot (·) = 1 unit
- Dash (−) = 3 units (3× longer)
- Signal gap = 1 unit
- Letter gap = 3 units
- Word gap = 7 units
Timing Reference Table
| Speed | Dot | Dash | Letter gap | Word gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 wpm | 240ms | 720ms | 720ms | 1680ms |
| 10 wpm | 120ms | 360ms | 360ms | 840ms |
| 17 wpm (this page) | 70ms | 210ms | 210ms | 490ms |
| 20 wpm | 60ms | 180ms | 180ms | 420ms |
How to Remember the KN Prosign in Morse Code
“Known Name” — long-short-long-long-short, the same shape as an open bracket waiting for a single answer.
Frequently Asked Questions — KN Prosign in Morse Code
The kn prosign (KN) in Morse code is -.--. (2 dots, 3 dashes). It’s the standard ITU code used worldwide.
The Morse code for the kn prosign is -.--.. Tap the sequence as: dash, dot, dash, dash, dot, with a one-unit gap between each signal.
To send the kn prosign: long press, then short tap, then long press, then long press, then short tap. Keep one unit of silence between each signal and three units between this character and the next.
The kn prosign uses 5 signals total: 2 dots and 3 dashes.
Use KN at the end of your transmission when you only want the station you are working with to reply — not anyone else who may be listening on frequency.
Yes — -.--. is defined by the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) Recommendation M.1677 and is used worldwide for the kn prosign.
Related Morse Code Prosigns
Other prosigns commonly used alongside the kn prosign: