Codebreaker

As part of the Curiouser and Curiouser Quarter 2 badge, I chose Codebreaker as my brown section learning badge. It was one I’d already kind of started, and I still want to do a couple more clauses, but technically I’ve completed it. 

1. Learn Semaphore

For our puzzle rebellion meet we tried semaphore to send a code from one end of the room to the other. 

Trying semaphore

2. Learn the NATO phonetic alphabet

Tired of saying “F for frog, S for sausage and U for unicorn” when you spell things over the phone? I know I am! 

Initially for military use, the NATO phonetic alphabet was officially adopted in 1956 and is now widely used across various sectors including aviation, maritime and emergency services.

I have been trying to use the phonetic alphabet for a while, this gave me the push to really learn it. The Leicestershire Rebellion tested me on it…I just about passed. I’m much more confident with it now. 

3. Visit 3 escape rooms. 

I must admit my escape rooms were all online. Maybe I’ll get a group of people together to do a real life one at some stage, but I’m trying to keep badge costs down a bit. I tried all 3 escape rooms here, these 3 increase in difficulty and are a great starting point for a journey into escape rooms online. 

I know Harry Potter is problematic for many, but if you fancy it there is a Hogwarts themed room here.

4. Use 3 practical ways to hide a message. 

1) Use colour to hide a message: 

Write a message in blue ink, scribble over it to conceal it in red ink. Use red cellophane to read the message. 

Blue message obscured by red ink

My camera wouldn’t focus past the red filter but you can see the blue ink as black

A close up of part of the message, very clear. 

The red filter allows the red light reflected from the red colour to pass through, the blue absorbs red light so it appears black when viewed through the filter. 

2) Code strip and dot method. 

Draw a margin on the left hand side of a sheet of paper. Line up the code strip with the margin and draw one dot above the letter you want to write. Move the code strip down a line and draw another dot above the next letter and so on. You end up with just a sheet of dots. The recipient of the message needs the same code strip and lines it up with the margin and decodes each dot. 

3) Invisible ink

Write an invisible message using lemon juice. The recipient uses a hot iron to reveal the message. This is best done between the lines of an innocuous message. I had a go at a secret agent type message, very low budget Bond! 

And finally, for now at least, 5. Read a Choose Your Own Adventure book.

I am playing this book: Shadow Chaser by Simon Tudhope.  I say play because it uses dice and a log book to help you work through the story and keep up with items or armour you have. You use the dice to make decisions and to battle enemies along the way. 

I died the first couple of times (got stuck in a death loop on a pirate ship!), but I have been enjoying a decent streak in the book on my third attempt. I forgot how much I enjoyed these as a kid, and this one does not disappoint. The visual puzzles are great and well illustrated throughout. Lots to keep you entertained for a few hours. 

I intended to visit Bletchley Park for this badge. I still will, but I may not manage to complete my visit this quarter as I want it to be a great day out and not just rushed into for a badge. So, for now, I have completed Codebreaker. 

I think I will probably complete other clauses too (at leisure) for this badge as I’m finding it really interesting. 

Take care,

E x

PS. Semaphore answers in the comments remember! 😉