[TenTec] Code Speed

[Walter Hopper]

It's always interesting in hearing about military "Radio Men".

I served during the Korean conflict when cw and radio teletype were the main modes at that time.   Most transmissions were encrypted. I was an intercept operator with the Army Security Agency and was stationed in Germany during the Berlin blockade.  My MOS was 1766 and  I still have my graduation diploma from the Southeastern Signal School which is  located at Ft. Gordon, Georgia.  My certificate reads: "High Speed Radio Operation Course (1766)"  The following courses composed the curriculum:

Signal Corps Orientation:                 6 hrs
International Morse Code              702 hrs
Radio Procedure                           64 hrs
Field Radio Sets                          104 hrs  
RTTY                                            44 hrs
Tape Relay (RTTY) procedure        32 hrs
Communications Center Operation 104 hrs
Total                                          1056 hrs    About 6 months in duration.

We were taught typing and used Underwood upright typewriters (Mills) to copy code.  Our standard receivers were
Hammarlund Super Pros.  To attain this certificate,we had to pass 25 wpm in the allotted  time. (5 letter encrypted groups)
Those that couldn't, either got a an 18 wpm medium speed certificate or washed out.  A few washed out... but not many.

When I went overseas,  we continued to use the Super Pro receivers, and our standard transmitter  was the BC-610.

As you can see, when you run a soldier through basic training (varies from 8 to 16 weeks) and train him to be a top cw operator, it is very costly and time consuming.  For this reason I think the military abandoned cw.  It is not because of efficiency... in my humble opinion. A properly trained cw net is a beautiful thing to behold.... kind of like a symphonic orchestra!!  In fact, some of the best operators are also excellent musicians... they usually have perfect timing, rhythm and balance. 

During my 3 year enlistment, I made friends with some of the greatest guys one could imagine.  It was an honor to serve my country as a "Radio Man"...... and it was that experience that led me into this wonderful hobby that we all enjoy.

73

Walt K5VV