The events where we have cadets out are large, and we can’t have staff on every station. So cadets are paired up 1 senior with 1 junior minimum… each position has a radio. If cadets are first class and blue badge we encourage them to use the radio and have the senior cadet help.
I’d say that is pretty safety critical. I’d rather a “technically shambolic” call for help if they need, than no call at all as they didn’t have a WRCO say they could use a radio out in public.
So far almost all calls in all the years I’ve been staff have been fine. And it is great to hear them sounding so professional on the radios. And they clearly enjoy it and take their responsibilities seriously.
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My other issue with the bronze syllabus is there is so much overlap with Blue, so it’s basically a recap plus a few other bits.
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Blue radio is more comprehensive than other blue courses… I think there was a big discussion about this before.
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I completely agree, radio syllabus needs to be reworked. The radio training in First Class is also too detailed, if it even needs to be in First Class.
Argument I’ve heard:
“we have to because they don’t know blue well enough”.
Pretty sure there has been an in depth discussion about course content but can’t be bothered to read up at the moment.
Same with silver revising bronze…
at least a third of each level (except first class) is a revision of the level beforehand.
much of blue is covered in first class to the point i feel it only requires an hour or two more of first class you’d be at the blue level without passing the practical.
not quite the same with the other levels, there is more of a step up with bronze from blue, but still having taught blue on a Saturday and bronze on a Sunday, in some cases to the some of the same faces it would be easier to have a longer day blue day to tick that off then bolt on the bronze specific bits
much of the steps are too small but to fill a day a lot of revision is included.
realistically i see there being two levels in radio
an operator
someone who knows why we use radio
what a radio is (ie the kit they hold in their hand - safety points of what not to lick)
understands the voice procedures we use and where they come from (ie the breakdown of the
callsign)
and then “advanced” level
which covers the more detailed stuff on prowords such as time, grid etc which is covered more in the blue/bronze practical’s.
this could also include setting up a mast (even if in theory)
ok i have had over a year off, but even if i was up to speed i don’t think i could realistically tell the difference between a Bronze, Blue, or experienced first class radio operator on a Squadron exercise…
certainly would be surprised if 3 months after the course if a Bronze operator could be distinguished…the “added extra” to make it Bronze are just not used enough for an “everyday” operator imo
BUT YHIS DOESN’T FIT INTO THE PTS FRAMEWORK!
AHHHHH!!!
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i know and that is the frustration
there is at best two levels of operator required (and even then the higher level would rarely get to exercise all of their skill and would just be seen as more experienced) but to make it fit into the PTS it is split out and drawn out into day long courses
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What’s the point in having radio in first class if cadets can’t use a radio after getting the badge.
I think there is a bit too much crossover… so drop it out of first class, and let cadets loose on radios when they’ve done blue comms
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is that written down??
if so i have either missed it, or forgotten about it and ignore it.
but why?
both in the new system and previous pre-PTS system what is covered in first class should be and is sufficient to put a radio in a cadets hands at a village fete, traffic marshalling event or county fun-run and they’ll be fine…
…it might require some sqn based exercises to build up experience but there is nothing more we need.
relate this to shooting.
all we want are cadets who can use the Air Rifle.
as using the L98A2 or L81A2 is so far away from every day Squadron use of shooting that being a MM at 600yds doesn’t help the unit.
being a gold badge radio doesn’t help the unit running a radio exercise or assisting at a village fete - I’d argue it is worse as you’d want everyone on the same level not to confuse anyone with a fancy term.
the difference with shooting is firing semi-automatic or a 7.62mm at 600yds is exciting and there is real appeal and self achievement - for radio you only get to share that achievement if you’re talking to others at the same level
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I think I remember a robust exchange of views about at what point a cadet can use a radio at an event.
I’m with you - after first class.
Blue should follow in fairly short order from that anyway.
This is how we ended up just doing blue and giving our own badges out, due to an overactive WRCO saying those with professional quals can’t teach etc.
Things just deteriorated.
But that happens when made up rules are banded about!
At blue level, looking at the LO’s in the First Class Basic Radio Comms:
- Types of radio equipment used within the ACO
This is an awareness piece and should go into no real detail at all
- Sending messages on the Air Cadet radio network
This is probably aimed at the right level, given the content of the slides etc
- Procedures needed for the safe use of radio
Another awareness piece based on equipment the squadron has. Perhaps Blue should be limited to handhelded to reduce the complexity
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i get that but only works if you have a SRCO - our unit has in the shape of me, but neighbouring Squadrons don’t and so have to wait for a Wing course or someone like me to either help them out or combine a Squadron course with other local units.
the first is most likely, as the second hasn’t happened and my Sqn courses are always full due to the demand.
ok but what is more complex about a base station??
other than the operation (switch on, perhaps frequency selection, then channel selection) the actual radio transmissions are the same…
its not as if we have handheld only frequencies and non-handheld frequencies (although recognise not all frequencies are practical for handhelds - these are HF channels)
Nothing, nothing at all, but there’s got to be some sense of progression.
Plus in my mind, a cadet sitting down using a base station is one that’s taking radio a bit more seriously, rather than using a handheld out and about on an activity.
Blue should form part of First Class, that’s what was intended when the Blue Syllabus was designed, the issue is that WRCO pretend that talking into a handheld radio is some mystic skill. The ACTO says that anyone can deliver the training, it just needs a person authorised by Wing Radio to assess, If they are doing their jobs properly they should be making sure that every Squadron has 2 who can do that plus every Sector Commander.
But that doesn’t fit with the Power that comes from having your own Empire and only letting a handful of the chosen ones assess.
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Perhaps limit to VHF/UHF, which will cover off 99% of cadets anyway
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To be honest I think the silver & gold levels are less of a problem (they are rarely mentioned on this forum anytime radio is brought up), it is blue/bronze that need properly sorted (first, anyway). Silver/gold could, as someone else has mentioned previously, involve a lot more of the actual practicalities of setting up a station (soldering, masts, connectors etc). Instead of just delivering foundation we could expand to intermediate and maybe even full too.
Blue need “supervised” by a bronze operator or above. But what is supervised? Holding their hand or being within a 5 min walk? Who knows. This is why I think we should just deliver 1 VHF/UHF course with as simple procedures as possible and lots of practical training. That way they can easily take it and use it on events.
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I would take this to mean bronze or above (or staff) on frequency somewhere, if not next to the cadet - ensuring everything is being done correctly… And able to arrange, or suggest to staff to arrange, retraining if required.
Indeed, you’d like to think common sense prevails for the situation.