The Training of the Radio Operator

The qualifications of a "good" operator are divided into inborn and acquired or teachable characteristics. A course of training for radio operators is then discussed in detail. The entrance requirements and objects of the students are considered, and the subject matter of the course is given. 1. OPERATING DIVISION. Students are taught to receive on buzzer-excited circuits, using head band telephone receivers. A number of circuits of gradually increasing speed and difficulty are provided. Different tones and intensities of signals are provided to accustom the student to actual conditions. All messages sent between student stations are in accordance with the radio laws and commercial practice. Messages must generally be checked and relayed by the student. Artificial interference is provided to teach reading of desired message thru such interference. 2. TECHNICAL DIVISION. The elementary principles of electricity and magnetism and the study of dynamo-electric machinery are given. Inductance, mutual inductance. capacity, wave length and frequency are studied, together with methods for their predetermination by calculation. Resonance phenomena are shown. Different types of commercial receivers and crystal detectors are tested. Field work is done with portable transmitting and receiving sets. Some facilities for research work are provided. 3. TRAFFIC DIVISION. The radio law, international regulations, geography and other material of value to operators are taught by lecture. Work in penmanship is obligatory.