For O to S, the right arm stands at B--the left arm moves round as before.
For T, U, Y and the "annul," the right arm stands at C, the left moving to the next point of the circle successively.
The numerical sign J (or alphabetical sign) and V--the right arm stands at position for letter D the left arm only being moved.
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W and X--the left arm stands at position for letter E, the right in this case moving down 45 degrees to show letter X.
For the letter Z, the left arm stands at the position G--the right arm crosses the breast taking the position F.
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The letters A to I also stand for the figures 1 to 9 (K standing for 0), if you make the numerical sign to show that you are going to send numbers followed by the alphabetical sign (J) when the figures are finished. They will be checked by being repeated back by the receiving station. Should figures be wrongly repeated by the receiving station the sending station will send the "annul" sign (which is answered by the same sign) and then send the group of figures again.
The sender must always face the station to which he is sending. On a word failing to make sense, the writer down will say, "no," when the reader will at once stop the sending station by raising both arms horizontally to their full extent (letter R). This demand for repetition the sending station will acknowledge by making J. The signaller receiving the message will then send the last word he has read correctly, upon which the sender will continue the message from that word.
Whistle Signs
1. One long blast means "Silence," "Alert," "Look out for my next signal." Also approaching a station.
2. Two short blasts means "All right."
3. A succession of long, slow blasts means "Go out," "Get farther away," or "Advance," "Extend," "Scatter."
4. A succession of short, sharp blasts means "Rally," "Close in,"
"Come together," "Fall in," "Danger," "Alarm." 5. Three short blasts followed by one long one from scout master calls up the patrol leaders--i.e., "Leaders, come here."
Any whistle signal must be instantly obeyed at the double--as fast as you can run--no matter what other job you may be doing at the time.
Hand or Flag Signals
Hand signals, which can also be made by patrol leaders with their patrol flags when necessary:
Hand waved several times across the face from side to side or flag waved horizontally, from side to side opposite the face, means "No,"
"Never mind," "As you were."
Hand or flag held high, and waved as though pushing forward, at full extent of arm, or whistle a succession of slow blasts means "Extend,"
"Go farther out," "Scatter."
Hand or flag held high, and waved rapidly from side to side, at full extent of arm, or a succession of short, quick blasts on the whistle, means "Close in," "Rally," "Come here," "Danger," "Cattle on track."
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Hand or flag pointing in any direction means "Go in that direction."
Clenched hand or flag jumped rapidly up and down several times means, "Hurry," "Run."
The movement, pushing or beckoning, indicates whether "Hurry here"
or "Hurry there."
Hand (or flag) held straight up over head, palm forward, means
"Stop," "Halt."
When a leader is shouting an order or message to a scout who is some way off, the scout, if he hears what is being said, should hold up his hand level with his head all the time. If he cannot hear, he should stand still, making no sign. The leader will then repeat louder, or beckon to the scout to come in nearer.
The following signals are made by a scout with his staff when he is sent out to reconnoitre within sight of his patrol, and they have the following meaning:
Staff held up horizontally, that is, level, with both hands above the head, means, "I have found."
The same, out with staff moved up and down slowly, means, "I have found, but a long way off."
The same, staff moved up and down rapidly, means, "I have found, and close by."
The staff held straight up over the head means, "Nothing in sight."
Indian Signs and Blazes
Shaking a blanket: I want to talk to you.
Hold up a tree-branch: I want to make peace.
Hold up a weapon, means war: I am ready to fight.
Hold up a pole horizontally, with hands on it: I have found something.
This is good water.
Good water not far in this direction.
A long way to good water, go in direction of arrow.
We camped here because one of us was sick.
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War or trouble about.
Peace.
Road to be followed.
Letter hidden three paces from here in the direction of arrow.
This path not to be followed.
"I have gone home."
WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY The Boy Scout Wireless Club Y. M.
C. A., Newark, N.J.
The following directions are given for an up-to-date wireless apparatus for stationary use in the home or at the meeting place of each patrol.
We will consider the receiving apparatus first:
The first thing to do is to build an aerial. First find out how long your location will allow you to build it, and how high. It ought to be at least 50 to 60 feet high and about 70 to 100 feet long. The main point in building an aerial is to have it {211} well insulated from the ground, and all connections in wire perfectly solid. It is advisable to solder every connection and to make your aerial strong as it has a great deal to do with the working qualities of the station.
After this is completed, the inside work on instruments should begin.
1. A pair of watch-case receivers having a resistance of 1,000 ohms each, manufactured by a reliable firm.
2. A loose coupler tuning coil of about 800 meters.
3. One of Mordock's metal detectors or one of similar design.
4. A variable condenser of about 5-10 plates.
5. A fixed condenser so arranged that its capacity can be changed if desired.
With these instruments the receiving set is complete, so we next take up the sending apparatus.
1. A two-inch induction coil.
2. A heavy spark gap (zinc preferable).
3. One wireless key with heavy contacts.
4. A plate condenser which can be easily made by any scout. Good glass is the main point.
5. A triple pole, double throw aerial switch. (Can be made by scouts.) Now you have everything necessary to go ahead and assemble your station. The next thing is to connect them up.
Above is a diagram which will make a good station for a scout. This station, if the aero is of the proper height, is capable of sending messages from 8 to 10 miles.
The Receiving Set
Perhaps the most fundamentally important part of a wireless telegraph station is the aerial. Its construction varies with each station, but a few general suggestions may be of use.
The builder should aim to get as high and as long an aerial as possible, height being the more important factor. In a stationary set the aerial may be fastened to a tree or pole or high building while in a field set a tree or an easily portable pole must be used.
The aerial itself should be made of copper wire and should be hung between spreaders as long as convenient and insulated from them by two cleat insulators in series at each end.
The experimenter should see that his leading-in wire is placed conveniently and comes in contact with the walls, etc., {212} as little as possible. All points of contact must be well insulated with glass, porcelain, or hard rubber.
The tuning coil is very simple in construction. A cardboard tube, about three inches in diameter, is mounted between two square heads. This tube is wound with No. 24 insulated copper wire and very well shellaced to avoid loosening of the wire.
Two pieces of one quarter inch square brass rod, to be fastened between the heads, are secured, and a slider, as shown in drawing, is made. The rods are fastened on the heads and the insulation in the path of the slides is then well scraped off. Binding posts are then fastened to rods and coil ends.
Details of instruments for field use.
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The detector, although the most important of the instruments, is perhaps the simplest. It is constructed of a hardwood base with a small brass plate fastened on by means of a binding post. On the other end of the base is fastened a double binding post which holds a brass spring, as in the drawing. On the end of this spring is fastened a copper point made by winding a few inches of No. 36 or 40 wire on it and allowing about three sixteenths of an inch to project. This completes the detector but, for use in this instrument, lead sulphide or Galena crystals must be secured.
The condenser is made of two pieces of tin-foil, four by ten, and three pieces of waxed paper a little larger than the foil. A piece of wire is twisted into the end of each piece of foil, and then one sheet of foil is laid on a sheet of paper. This is then covered by another sheet of paper upon which is laid the second sheet of foil. On top of this is laid the third sheet of paper and the whole is folded into a convenient bundle. The sheets of foil must be well insulated from each other and the wires must project from the condenser.
The ground connection is made by soldering a wire to a cold water pipe. In the case of a portable set the ground may be made by driving a metal rod into the ground or sinking metal netting into a body of water.
The telephone receivers cannot well be made and must therefore be bought. The type of phones used will therefore depend entirely on the builder's purse.
The Sending Set
The same aerial and ground are used for sending as were used for receiving, and for the experimenter, it will be far cheaper to buy a spark coil for his sending set than to attempt to make one.
For a field set there will be very little need of a sending helix, as close tuning will be hardly possible; but for the stationary set this is very useful.
The helix is made by building a drum with square heads fastened together by six or eight uprights, arranged on the circumference of a circle. On this then are wound ten or twelve turns of No. 10 or 12, brass or copper wire. Binding posts are fastened to the ends of the wire and variable contact made on the turns by means of metal spring clips.
The spark gap is made of a hard-wood base with two uprights to which are fastened strips of brass. Under these strips are {214}
placed two pieces of battery zincs so as to make the gap between their ends variable. Binding posts are fastened to the strips for contact.
The sending condenser is the same as the receiving in construction, but different in material. The dielectric is glass while the conducting surfaces are tin-foil, arranged in a pile of alternate sheets of glass and foil. The foil is shaped as in drawing and alternate sheets have their lugs projecting on opposite sides, all lugs on same side being connected together. For a one-inch coil but a few of these plates are needed, but for higher power a greater number are necessary.
Wireless Telegraph Set Designed for Boy Scouts of America by L. Horle.
All that now remains is the setting up of the instruments. They are arranged as in the drawing, a double-point, {215} double-throw switch being used to switch from sending to receiving.
After having connected up the receiving instruments, the receiver is placed at the ear and the point of the detector placed on the various parts of the mineral until the signals are heard clearly. Then the tuning coil is adjusted until the signals are loudest.
The sending apparatus is set up, the key and batteries having been bought or made, and used to call some other station. The clip is put on various twins of the helix until the other station signals that the signals are loudest. The station is then ready for actual operation.
NOTES
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CHAPTER V HEALTH AND ENDURANCE George J. Fisher, M. D. Secretary, Physical Department International Committee Young Men's Christian Association
Fitness
Two things greatly affect the conditions under which a boy lives in these days. One is that he lives in-doors for the greater part of the time, and the other is that he must attend school, which is pretty largely a matter of sitting still. Two things therefore are needs of every boy: out-door experience and physical activity.
To secure endurance, physical power, physical courage, and skill, the first thing needful is to take stock of one's physical make-up, put the body in the best possible condition for doing its work and then keep it in good order.
Proper Carriage
Head up, chin in, chest out, and shoulders back is a good slogan for a boy scout who desires an erect figure. One can scarcely think of a round-shouldered scout. Yet there are such among the boys who desire to be scouts.
There is no particular exercise that a boy can take to cure round shoulders. The thing to remember is that all exercise that is taken should be done in the erect position, then the muscles will hold the body there.
An erect body means a deeper chest, room for the important organs to work and thus affords them the best chance to act.
A few setting-up exercises each day in the erect position will help greatly to get this result.
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Exercise 1 Position: Heels together, arms down and at sides, palms in. Movement: Swing arms, sideways, upward to vertical, and return. Exercise 2 Same as Exercise I, except that arms are swung forward, upward to vertical. Exercise 3 Position: Arms extended to side horizontal. Movement: Swing forward and return. (Emphasis upon backward movement.) Exercise 4
Position: Arms at side, horizontal, back slightly arched.
Movement: Circle arms backward. Setting-up Exercises
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Exercise 5 Position: Forearms flexed at side of chest.
Movement: Thrust arms forward and return. Exercise 6
Position: Arms at front, horizontal, forearms flexed, fingers on shoulders. Movement: Swing backward to side, horizontal in position. Exercise 7 Position: Same as Exercise 6.
Movement: Swing downward, forward, bringing arms beyond sides of body. Rise on toes with end of backward swing. Exercise 8a Position: Arms at vertical, thumbs locked, head fixed between arms. Exercise 8b Movement: Bend forward as far as possible, without bending knees, and return. Setting-up Exercises
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Exercise 9. Position: Arms at vertical. Repeat exercise 8b Exercise 9b Movement: Arm circles, downward, inward, across chest. Reverse the movement. Exercise 10 Position: Arms on hips. Movement: Forward bend. Exercise 11 Position: Same as Exercise 10. Movement: Backward bend. Exercise 12 Position: Same as Exercise 10. Movement: Sideward bend, right and left. Setting-up Exercises
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Exercise 13 Position: Same as Exercise 10. Movement: Rotate body of waist. Exercise 14 Position: Same as Exercise 10.
Movement: Raise high on toes. (Hold shoulders back firmly) Exercise 15 Position: Same as Exercise 10. Movement: Full knee bend. Setting-up Exercises
Growth
The chief business of a boy is to grow. He may have other affairs, but this is his chief concern. He should, therefore, have a few simple rules for living and make them a part of his daily life.
Out-door Exercises
Each day should have its out-door exercises. Walking is a splendid form of exercise. Walk to school or business; don't ride unless absolutely necessary because of unusual distance. Walk with a good, swinging stride with chest well up and spine fairly straight. Slow running across country is great; it lacks strain and yet affords splendid stimulation to heart and lungs. Cross-country running and hiking should be favorite sport for scout patrols and troops. A boy ought to have at least two hours of sport daily in some good, vigorous game, such as baseball or tennis, and, if he can possibly afford it, at least two periods a week, of an hour each, in a gymnasium, where he can receive guidance in body building. Boys under sixteen should avoid exercise of strain, such as weight lifting, or sprint running over one hundred yards, or long distance racing. They should have careful guidance in all gymnastic work. Work on apparatus may prove harmful unless of the right sort. The horse {224} and parallel bars should be used largely to jump over rather than perform upon.
Exercises demanding a sustained support of the body with the arms are not helpful, but may be harmful. The chief activity should be of the legs, to strengthen heart and lungs. A boy should be careful not to overdo. In his excitement to win in a contest he is likely to do this unless cautioned. A boy should never try to reduce his weight. Now that there are weight classes in sports for boys there is a temptation to do this and it may prove very serious. Severe training for athletics should be avoided. All training should be in moderation.
Medical Examinations
Every boy ought to have, as he takes up his boy-scout work, a thorough medical examination. Some physician who is interested in boys will be willing to act as examiner for a patrol or troop. A boy should know the condition of his heart and lungs before entering any contest. If he has any defects in his breathing apparatus--nose, throat, or lungs, these should be attended to or they will seriously interfere with his endurance tests.
Baths
Beside exercises a boy should have simple, workable rules for living.
A boy ought to take a good soap bath at least twice a week and always after he has played a hard game or performed work of a nature that has caused him to perspire freely.
Each morning a quick sponge bath should be the first order of the day, in water as cool as he can stand it, followed by a good rub with a coarse towel. If there is a feeling of warmth after the bath, it is helpful, if not, the water should be slightly warm or only a portion of the body should be bathed at a time.
Pain
One thing that should be regarded seriously is pain in any form in any part of the body. If there is a dull headache frequently, find out what causes it. Pain in the knee, the arch of the foot, or at any point, should be taken seriously. Pain means something wrong. It may be brave to bear it, but it {225} is not wise. It may mean something serious. Remember that pain felt in one part of the body may be the result of something wrong in another part. See a wise doctor about it.
Eating
And now in reference to what one shall eat. The average boy ought to have and usually does have an appetite like an ostrich. Three points to remember are; don't eat too much, most healthy boys do; don't eat meat more than once a day; and, third, don't eat anything that you always taste for several hours after you have eaten it, even though you like it.
Digestion
The fact that you taste it is an indication that your stomach is having a wresting match with the food. Some people can't digest onions, others thrive upon them. Some can't eat cucumbers, others can do so readily. The one must give them up; the other can continue to eat them. Each person has some peculiarity of diet and must observe it to be happy. Many a race has been lost through failure to obey this rule. A simple diet is best. Most boys eat too much of a mixed nature.
They mix pickles, soda water, frankfurters, and chocolate without fear or favor. No wonder there is so much stomach ache. In boys' camps the chief trouble is indigestion caused by this riot of eating. Such boys are laying up for themselves for the future some beautiful headaches and bilious attacks, which, when they become chronic later, will cry out against them and seriously impair their value. Don't eat when very tired; lie down a while and get rested. Don't eat heavily before exercising, or, better, put it the other way around, don't exercise immediately after eating. Never eat when excited or angry and very lightly when worried or when expecting to study hard. We should learn to eat slowly and chew the food thoroughly remembering that all food before it can be taken up in the blood must be as thin as pea soup. Chewing well will help the digestive organs greatly. Always wash the hands before eating. Be careful about eating food that has been exposed to the dust unless it has been washed. Drink freely of clean water between meals. Never use a public drinking cup without thoroughly rinsing it. Don't touch your lips to the rim of the cup.
Boys who cook their own meals when in camp should be {226}
careful to have their food well done. Half-baked and soggy food proves indigestible.
Coffee and Tea
Should a boy drink coffee or tea? This is a question often asked by boys. Coffee and tea are the greatest stimulants known. But does a strong boy need a stimulant? What is a stimulant and what does it do? A stimulant is a whip, making the body do more at a given time than it ordinarily would. It doesn't add any fibre to the tissues, doesn't add any strength, isn't a food, but merely gets more out of the tissues or nervous system than they would ordinarily yield. Of course there is a reaction, because the tissues have had nothing to feed on. Herbert Fisher says that Peary's men, who drank lots of tea on their voyage north, during the most trying time of their trip showed it in their haggard faces and loss of tissue. Their own tissues had turned cannibal and fed on their own material. Stimulants are not foods.
They add no strength to the body. They exact of the body what ought not to be exacted of it. There is always a reaction and one is always worse off as a result. Growing boys especially should have nothing to do with tea, coffee, or any stimulant.
Alcohol and Tobacco
Alcohol is not a stimulant, but is really a narcotic that is very depressing. It dulls rather than stimulates. The same is true of nicotine in tobacco. No growing boy should use either. The first athletes to drop out of a race are usually drinkers and all trainers know that smoking is bad for the wind.
Constipation
Those boys who find their digestion sluggish and are troubled with constipation may find the following plan helpful in overcoming the condition:
Drink a cool, copious draught of water upon arising. Then take some body-bending exercises. Follow this with the sponge bath. Then, if possible, take a walk around the block before breakfast. After school, play some favorite game for at least an hour. In the absence of this, take a good hike of three or four miles or a longer bicycle ride. At least twice a week, if possible, enter a gymnasium class and make special emphasis of body-bending exercises.
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Have a regular time for going to stool. A good plan is to go just before retiring and immediately upon arising. Go even though you feel no desire to do so. A regular habit may be established by this method.
Always respond quickly to any call of nature. Toasted bread and graham bread and the coarser foods and fruit will be found helpful.
The Teeth
Closely related to the matter of eating is the proper care of the teeth.
Perhaps--without care--the mouth is the filthiest cavity of the body.
We spend a great deal of energy trying to keep food clean and water pure, but what is the use if we place them in a dirty cavity as they enter the body. Full 90 per cent. of the children examined in our schools have decayed and dirty teeth. These decayed teeth provide cavities in which food particles decay and germs grow, and through which poisons are absorbed. These conditions need not exist. Now just a few suggestions about the care of the teeth. Every boy should own his own tooth brush. The teeth should be scrubbed at least twice a day. At night they should receive most careful cleansing, using a good tooth paste or powder. Then again in the morning they should be rinsed at which time simply clean water is sufficient. Time should be taken in the cleansing of the teeth. The gums should be included in the scrubbing, as this acts as a good stimulant to the circulation of the blood to the teeth. Not only should the teeth be brushed with a backward and forward stroke, as we ordinarily do, but also upward and downward the length of the teeth. In addition to the scrubbing, particles of food which are lodged between the teeth should be removed after meals, or at least after the last meal of the day. This is most safely done by the use of a thread of a fair degree of thickness.
Dentists and druggists furnish this thread in spools. Hard toothpicks often cause bleeding and detach fillings. A dentist should be visited once every six months so as to detect decay immediately. Never have a tooth pulled unless absolutely necessary.
Care of the Eyes
Most troubles with the eyes come from eye strain. Styes and red lids are usually due to this cause. See how foolish, therefore, it is to treat these conditions as causes, when really {228} they are only the result of something else. Of course there are exceptions. Sometimes wild hairs and skin disease affect the eyes. Eye strain should be removed by wearing well-fitting glasses and then these other conditions will disappear. If constant headache is experienced or the eyes itch or become tired easily, there is possibly eye strain.
One way to test the eye is for vision. Place the following letters fifteen feet from you. If you cannot read them clearly with both eyes and with each eye separately, consult a first-class oculist.
C L V F O T E A C F D L O T D V C L
A E O T F
Never buy eye-glasses unless fitted by an expert. Such glasses should be worn in proper relation to the eyes. They should not be permitted to slide forward on the nose or tilt. They may need to be changed often as the eyes grow better.
For reading, a good,