A mystery.

[j.sabourn]

I know out here an ex yeoman of signals ex NZ navy and asked him sometime ago what speeds he sent at, he said about 14 words a minute, this is more than twice which was required by the BOT. Everyone to his own job I suppose. Semaphore used to be 8 words a minute and on the lamp was 6 for BOT examinations. JS

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi All.
Was on an RFA tanker, on lookout on the monkey Island there were two big searchlights that was sometimes used for Morse , one night I switched on and flashed up a British tanker, did all the right things got her name; departure port and destination, sent the same, the mate must have been in the chart room as no one said anything. Only thing was I forgot to switch the light off, and with the shades down couldn't see the light, burnt out the glass.
Cheers Des.

[Doc Vernon]

In 1960/61 when in the RAF did Wireless Operators Course at Compton Basset after Square Bashing at Bridgnorth

We had to get to 18 WPM for a pass and I did that quite easily. Don't know why I cannot do it now days!?

Later on me and few other Lads were put on an advanced Wireless Operators Course (only the top 10 were picked for this) and when finished passed out with 22 WPM. ( 4 of the other Lads got to 25WPM)Sending and Receiving, this was in line with the fast RN Lads at that time,they were fast with their Sidewinders.
That was super fast and took some doing!
Cheers

[j.sabourn]

That was by sound Vernon. Those speeds on the lamp would be unreadable. A lot of sparkies (Radio Operators) had trouble reading the lamp as was too slow for them. Cheers JS