R Sigs (Bleeps) - DTN, Punched Paper Tape & Comms

   Hmm, more memories. I do remember at 28 (BR) Sigs when on exercise, we used ETCRM One time tape as the on-line encryption method when on sending/receiving messages. We used to be issued with sealed boxes of this one-time tape reels, each reel had to be accounted for, and signed for from the Squadron Crypto Officer. When out in the filed it was a damned nuisance with all the sued tape after a busy session sending essages etc. Someone was then detailed to burn the confidential waste when back in barracks.

I remember a much more secure systemw as the BID610 Alvis on line crypto system. Much easier to use. It was based on a plug board and various settings etc. Could take some time setting things up, then testing send and recieve in a 'back-to-back' setup before going on line at midnight after crypto changeover. for the day. One supposed modern Coms systems use encrypted Emails as a means of message switch. Near where I live, Brentwood Essed -there is an old 'Secret Nuclear Bunker' that was used by the government for many years. The place was bought by a local farmer and is equipped with all the old Comcen Data equipment from the 1970s and 1980s. I went around it a few days ago, and all the old equipment brought back memories of being a Comcen/Data Telegraphist from wya back in the 1960s and 1970s. It almost felt like I could sit down at the teleprinters, and start to bang out messages etc....... a harkening form my past.

Quote :

BID610 Alvis

I remember training on that beast.. The circuitry was pure logic. Andgates non angates etc. The instructor said "The penny will drop soon and you wont know why you were struggling with the logic".
Sure enough, the day before the trade test it all became clear.. It was the easiest BID to maintain and repair that I ever came across. Never saw it again after the course...

[quote="Gordon."]

Quote :

BID610 Alvis

Never saw it again after the course...


I bet Sheldrake's got one.

brum wrote:

Gordon. wrote:

Quote :

BID610 Alvis

Never saw it again after the course...


I bet Sheldrake's got one.

I did, but the wheels fell off!  

Ta,tâta,te,tatateta .... just me blowing my own trumpet  ... its an age thingee.

Len (Ciphers)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-PaYxaylDo

Ah, yes, that U-Tube filum...... brought a tear to these old rheumy eyes. The tape factory, the Siemens T100 teleprinter, the tape racks, the Comcens, the F Sigs Form 52, the old on-line cryto equipment of the 1960s, then onwards to the 1970s; and the tour in Norn Irn.

Of course everything has changes between then and now with the digital ages, computers etc. All grist to the mill for old soldiers of the Corps. I really must try and get in another visity to the Corps Museum sometime next year, it has been 15 years since I last visited down there.

Mind you, my trade as a Comcen/Data Telegraphist set me up for a career in IT for many years after I left the mob in 1977. I retired a few years ago after a good career as a Computer operator on mainframes in the public and private sector of employment. Later it was all change to networked PCs, servers etc; and my job spec and title changed to IT Help Desk Operator. All my training in the R Sigs was all useful, even the sessions of 'interior economy' in the barracks cleaning, polishing and ironing of shirts etc. I can still iron a mean crease in my trousers, along with boxed creases in my shirts!!!! Mind you, I never got so 'army barmy' as to iron my underpants, socks and vests..... 

unclevanya wrote:

............. Mind you, I never got so 'army barmy' as to iron my underpants, socks and vests..... 

Shame on you ! As one of my associates used to say :-
" It depends on your standards "

cartav wrote:

unclevanya wrote:

............. Mind you, I never got so 'army barmy' as to iron my underpants, socks and vests..... 

Shame on you !   As one of my associates used to say :-
" It depends on your standards "

Exactly - should have joined the Gunners, in addition to underpants, socks and vests we also do PJs. Incidentally, we don't "Iron", we "Press"!   

[quote="brum"][quote="Gordon."]

Quote :

BID610 Alvis

Never saw it again after the course...
/quote]

Hello Charlie Charlie all stations Sheldrake. Help!!! I can't understand any of this.

But I'm reminded I did a trade test early days on a 3Mk 2F Radar. Mostly it involved setting the thing up, dodging the blue sparks from antiquated components & switching on 39 ( I thinK !) items in the right order without ref to the drill book.
Having waffled along to a pass, the examiner then said "You will never, ever, do that again without the book. " He was right, I never saw one again, my light ack ack lot didn't have radar.

[quote="Shelldrake"]

cartav wrote:

unclevanya wrote:

............. Mind you, I never got so 'army barmy' as to iron my underpants, socks and vests..... 

Exactly - should have joined the Gunners, in addition to underpants, socks and vests we also do  PJs.   Incidentally, we don't "Iron", we "Press"!   

To avoid further confusion, we should add that we Gunners don't "press" "irons".
Irons are polished after attention with those Wash- Rinse- Sterilise containers by the cookhouse exit doors.

[quote="cartav"][quote="brum"][quote="Gordon."]

Quote :

BID610 Alvis

Never saw it again after the course...
/quote]

Hello Charlie Charlie all stations Sheldrake.  Help!!! I can't understand any of this.

But I'm reminded I did a trade test early days on a 3Mk 2F Radar.  Mostly it involved setting the thing up, dodging the blue sparks from antiquated components & switching on 39 ( I thinK !) items in the right order without ref to the drill book.
Having waffled along to a pass, the examiner then said "You will never, ever, do that again without the book. "  He was right, I never saw one again, my light ack ack lot didn't have radar.  

Sorry cartav, can't help old bean. Nearest thing I can find to the above is one of these lovely things, Ammo Party in the Gunners.

Shelldrake wrote:

brum wrote:

Gordon. wrote:

Quote :

BID610 Alvis

Never saw it again after the course...


I bet Sheldrake's got one.

I did, but the wheels fell off!  

Lovely truck !  A real stalwart amongst ordinary load carriers........
I suppose it had 4 wheels each side before some fell off.......

Aaah, the Artillery Limber !

Blazing cam nets !

I can still hear the merry crackling from the torsion bar seals as the grease was forced in.

(Woops ! Should've used a hand operated grease gun !).

I remember a story from one of us Scaleys who served on HM Fearless ships with the Matelots (Royal Navy). Apparently this Scaley geezer had a habit of sunbathing on the deck where the aerials of the ship were. This geezer had a habit of cnnecting his extra large Boom Box that he had bought in Honk Kong with a piece of cabling to one of the ships aerials. A Matelot Radio Tech told him not to as "It was dangerous and could fry the radio and him!"

So said Scaley ignored this good advice, and next time he was sunbathing where he shouldn't have been he connected his chepa old Boom box to the ships aerial etc, and lo and behold, said extra Large cehapo Boom box bough in Honkers for a few HK Dollars was extremely 'fried', and said Scaley was lucky not to be injured.

Now was this an Army myth, or did this actually happen. This story was repeated to me in a NAAFI bar after much Amber Nectar and telling of many tales as you do, after a good session in the mess of exploits we have done, or stories we have heard.?   

Cartav,

I see you mention ack, ack. Now that's going back a few decades. Ack, Ack from a WW2 phonetic alphabet. (Ack, Beer, Charley, Don, etc) Then there was A = 'Able', now A = Alpha. The latter two covering my service 1949-72
Jimsigs1

Some of the old phonetic alphabet has to linger on Jim.

I mean "Alpha Delta" just doesn't have the same bite as Ack Ack, does it ?

And how about Don 10 cable, Don R on a motorbike, Toc H, Ack I (Sigs) Ack I (G), (slipped two Gunner ones in there). Then there's Ack Adj.

There are more but it's been a while . . .

Oh, I do like the NATO phonetic alphabet....... like when describing somone's future action such as "Go forth and multiply, in short sharp, jerky movements  ... Please Foxtrot Oscar!!"

How about this?

...  .  -.  -..  /  .--  .. -  ....  /  ---  -  ....  .  .-.   /   ..-.  ---  ---  - /

.-   .-.  (barred)

-... -.-- / - .... . / .-.. . ..-. - will this suit

Len (Ciphers)

ciphers wrote:

-... -.-- / - .... . / .-.. . ..-. -    will this suit

Len (Ciphers)

--.- .-- .. -.-. -.- / -- .- .-. -.-. ....

As in V.P. Yank style " That's a Rog".

Only if I can set the pace  .... i'm getting past 120 PPM

Len (Ciphers)

.- ... .-.. --- .-- ... - .-. --- .-.. .-.. .. -. - .... . .--. .- .-. -.- .-- --- ..- .-.. -.. -... . -- --- .-. . ... ..- .. - .- -... .-.. . ..-. --- .-. -.-- --- ..- .--. .- .. .-.

I knew that!   

.- - / -- -.-- / .- --. . / .. .----. -- / -. --- - / .-.. .. -.- . .-.. -.-- / - --- / -... .-. . .- -.- / .. -. - --- / .- / --. .- .-.. .-.. --- .--.

Len (Ciphers)

True