Milford chronicle., 1915-04-23
Continued from last week..

In studying the Semaphore Code you
will notice that it follows a regular sys-
tenn. The easiest way to learn it is to
learn the cycles or rounds iffwhich it
goes. The first cycle runs from A to G,
and but one arm is used in making the
letters in this cycle. A is made by ex-
tending the right arm downward at an
angle of as degrees, and the succeeding
letters by moving the arm first to the
horizontal, then to 54 degrees upward,
then to vertical then the right arm drops
and The left extends As degrees upward
to the left, then to the horizontal and
then As degrees downward. These are
the angles used throughout. The sec
ond cycle runs from H to N, emitting J.
One arm remains at the first position,
while the other moves successfully
through the other positions to form the
other letters of this cycle. The third
/ cycle runs from o to S, one arm remain
ing at the second position while the
other moves through the remaining posi-
tions. The fourth cycle has in it three
letters, T U and Y. Fyr T, the right
arm extends upward to the right to an
angle of As degrees while the left ex-
tends vertically upward. Tor L and y,
the right arm remains at this position,
while the left moves successfully to IS
degrees upward to the left and then to
the horizontal. The fifth cycle consists
of ] and V. For J the right arm is YER I
tically upward and the left horizontal,
while for V the left drops to As degrees |
downward, the right remaining station
ary. The sixth cycle is w and X. w
left arm As degrees upward to the left,
while the right arm points horizontally |
to the left, crossing the body, Y, left
arm As degrees upward to the left, while
right arm points As degrees downward
to the left. The last cycle is simply 4,
left arm extending horizontally to the
left, with right arm across the body,
pointing As degrees downward to the left.
Learn this succession of the letters and
Semaphore sending is very easily mas
tered. To study the receiving end when
you have no one to practice with, cut out
the figures showing the letters and paste
them on cards. OF course cut away the
letter so that there is nothing on the
card but the figure itself. Now shuttle
these cards up thoroughly and run through
them and see how quickly you can call
the letters. Continue this until you can
call them as fast as you can run through
them.
This code as given here differs from
the one in the Scout Manual only in the
signs. 1t is the one used 81,
by the United States Government and
has been officially adopted by the Phila-
delphia Local Council, the South Jersey
Scout Masters Association and by the
Scout Masters Association of Delaware.
The conventional signs are ch super
ior to the one in the Manual, which is the
one in use in the British army and navy. /
Doubtless in the new Scout Manual now
being prepared, this improved official
United States Code will appear. The re-
naming conventional signs not given ,
above are !
Acknowledgement or Understood-U.
Numerals (hags crossed above head) !
every number sent and indi-
,ates numerals until Interval" is made
lfter which letters recur without further !
Indication. When numerals follow let :
ers, no intervening interval is nee I
ssary.
Negative (N), Affirmative" (Y), or !
'Interrogatory" (Q), followed by In !
erval" give corresponding meanings to Z
he following signal !
Receiver acknowledges Attention. Z
7hcnever made, also Repeat" etc, \
nd end of message, when latter is under Z
TODD. Z
If letter or numeral occurs twice or Z
lore times in succession, swing one or /
9th flags to front and then back to po- I
tion for each successive letter or num- Z
-al Z
While awaiting for Acknowledge I
lent" or in case of delay remain at In =
rival" !
The numerals are the first ten letters Z
order.
The special meanings are generally I
presented by their initials, e. g., Neg Z
i've" n.
Opposite letters A and G, B and F, Z
and +, H and z, I and X, and P. K Z
I'd V, o and w, NJ and S, and Q and Y. \
This information is all from the U. S. 4
Signal Book, 1912, revised to March, Z
13, and is correct and official. 4
Continued next week