[TenTec] Code Speed

[jerome schatten]

Walt, very interesting... I went through SESS in 1956, MOS was (as near
as I can remember) 053 -- High Speed Radio Opr. 

It was called Camp Gordon then. I can't make out if you were before me
or behind me. The base mars station was k4war then.

We received no certificates, but the most outstanding thing I remember
was learning to type with the headphones on to the tune of 'Japanese
Sandman'. They played that tune for 3.5 hours a day while we touch
typed; then for 3.5 hrs/day we copied cw on the mill . An hour short of
a decent day's work (six months, I believe)  

The basic radio set up was a bc-610 as you described and Collins 51j4's
with tty gear as I recall. The ANGRC-26 mobile hut on a deuce and a half
with a pe-95 trailing behind.

In Germany, we actually met Russian troops in the field during one
exercise close to the E.German border. Nothing came of it, as it looked
like they were as scared as we were of them.

In 1956 during the Hungarian revolution, we were ready to go, and again
nothing happened. Good thing, but a potential nightmare nevertheless.

Best,
Jerome -- VA7VV (ex K2AXS) still CW only
Vancouver, Canada 


On Mon, 2007-01-15 at 18:20 -0600, Walter Hopper wrote:
> 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
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
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