CW abbreviation · Operating
FB in Morse code
All-purpose approval: 'fine business' = great, excellent, well done.
Morse rendering
..-. -...
Sent letter-by-letter with standard inter-letter gaps.
What it saves you on the air
This is the whole reason CW abbreviations exist. Sending FB instead of spelling out “Fine business” cuts 78% of the airtime — 74 dot-units of keying saved every time you send it.
| Speed | FB | “Fine business” | Saved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 WPM | 1.9s | 8.8s | 6.8s |
| 20 WPM | 1.3s | 5.7s | 4.4s |
| 25 WPM | 1.0s | 4.6s | 3.6s |
Timed with standard spacing: dit 1 unit, dah 3, letter gap 3, word gap 7. Work out any other speed on the timing calculator.
Meaning
FB — Fine business (excellent)
When this is used
Originated in commercial telegraph slang. Today the meaning is just 'great' or 'awesome'. Compounds well: 'FB SIG' (great signal), 'FB QSO' (great contact).
Examples
| On the air | Plain English |
|---|---|
| FB OM TNX | Great, sir, thanks. |
| FB SIG | Great signal. |
| FB QSO 73 | Fine business contact, best regards. |
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