A Military Radio Course

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 27, 16 January 1931, Page 5

A Military Radio Course

For French Youths ‘YOUNG men in France are now given an opportunity of a three weeks’ course of instruction in military radio telegraphy. The recruiting offices draft applicants into various regiments, according to the special aptitude of each. Those who have served any previous time are naturally sent to their old regiments, as the reservist knows a few tricks of the trade, and enjoys the prestige that experience commands over novices, The first day of the course is taken up by formalities of registration, medical examination, vaccination, etc., and in becoming acquainted with the camp. With the second day instruction commences in earnest. The first thing to be done is to refresh in the memories of the reservists all they learnt during their previous training with the engineers. Bach day commences with 2 lecture on telegraphy, given immediately after arising in order to clear the mind from the haze of sleep. Interest wanes until the old familiar knowledge of dots and dashes has been revived, and then enthusiasm knows no bounds. ‘The result is that by the end of the first week the majority of radio telephonists are capable of sending 400 words per hour, and after three weeks’ training, 900 words per hour. Then there is practical instruction in assembling and dismantling, culminating in competitive examinations, together with the ordinary military training. Then there is still another group of reservists who during the three weeks work through a considerable number of text-books on military telegraphy, radio-electricity, and carrier pigeons, with a view to obtaining promotion to the rank of section commanders. The aim of this course is to teach the recruit how to maintain come munications between the different sections of the infantry divisions of each regiment. Wach infantry division has a telegraphic company, charge of communications by telegraph and semaphore, and a radio detach ment. If necessary a loft of carrierpigeons is included.