Posted:
By: Clyde L.Mings
On: 09/17/2005
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To Fred Corley:
The radio school at Scott Field was about 6 months long. We not only had to learn code and theory but also repairs and wiring aircraft installations, so we were radio operator/mechanics. We had to learn to copy code on a "mill" (typewriter). the poor guys who hadnt taken typing in school had a double hurdle to conquer!We spent endless hours copying press wireless from the major news services and in the hot 1941 summer time in Illinois with no airconditioning in the classes it was a real drag! I believe the standard was 20 wpm but some sneaked by with 16, which is about what most flight traffic was if copying with a pencil.We also had some rudimentary classes in weather since a large portion of a flight operators duties was copying weather reports for the pilots.I flew in B-29's for 4 years later on and we had to pass 20 wpm each month to qualify to be on a crew.I had a Commercial Radiotelegraph license from the FCC and had to pass 25, but I just cant write faster than that.Still work CW as a ham, but am not a "hot Dog" speed demon.
Clyde L.Mings CMSGT USAF (ret) radio op on Lt.Kuta's
Madame Queen IN-Q- 613th crew.
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