Signaling

In the early days of Girl Scouting, there were no cell phones. Communication was limited to signalling and telegraphs. This supplement gives you some ideas on how girls used to communicate. Try it yourself!

Wig Wam (Wig Wag) Signalling

The ag used for this signalling is square with a smaller square of another color in the center. It may be either white with the smaller square red, or red with the smaller square white. A good size for Scout use is 24 inches square with a center 9 inches square, on a pole 42 inches long and one-half inch in diameter. There are but three motions with the ag and all start from, and are completed by, return to position, which means the ag held perpendicularly and at rest directly in front of the signaller. Signaller should stand erect, well balanced on the arches of the feet. The butt of the ag stick is held lightly in the right hand; the left hand steadies and directs the ag at a distance from six to twelve inches above the right on the stick. The length of the stick will determine the position of the left hand; the longer the stick the further apart must the hands be placed in order to obtain the best balance. DOT To make the dot, swing the ag down to the right until the stick reaches the horizontal and bring it back to Position. DASH To make the dash, swing the ag to the left until it reaches the horizontal and bring it back to Position.

INTERVAL The third position is made by swinging the ag down directly in front and returning to Position. In order to keep the ag from fouling when making these motions, make a sort of gure 8 with the point of the stick. A slight turn of the wrist accomplishes this result and becomes very easy after a little practice. Beginners should master the three motions of the ag, exaggerating the gure 8 motion before they attempt to make letters. It is also best to learn the code before attempting to wig wag it, so that the individual will be free to concentrate upon the technique or correct managing of the ag. Make no pause between dots and dashes in making a letter, but make a continuous swing from right to left, or from left to right. A pause at Position indicates the completion of a letter. One Interval (Front) indicates the completion of a word. Two Intervals indicate the completion of a sentence. Three Intervals indicate the completion of a message. Do not try for speed. In all signalling, accuracy is the important thing, for unless the letters are accurately made they cannot be easily read, and the message will have to be repeated. Fall into a regular easy rhythm in sending. Speed comes with practice. Signalling with a Flash Light Use a short ash for the dot and a long steady ash for the dash. Pause the length of three dots between letters, and the length of ve dots between words. A still longer pause marks the end of a sentence. Signalling by Whistle Use a short blast for the dot, and a long steady blast for the dash. Indicate the end of a letter, a word, and a sentence by the same pauses as explained in Flash Light Signalling. Signalling by Lantern The motions used in signalling with a lantern are somewhat like those of the wig wag ag. For Position, hold the lantern directly in front of the body; for the dot swing it to the right and back to Position; For the dash swing it to the left and back to Position; and for Interval move id down and up in a vertical line directly in front. A stationary light should be placed on the ground before the feet as a point of reference for the various motions.

Morse Code A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S . ... .. .. . ... . . .. . . ... . .. . .. ... T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 .. ... . .. . .. . .. ... . .. .... ... .. . Period Comma Quotation Marks Colon Semicolon Interrogation .. .. .. ... .... ... ... ....

Quick Way to Learn Letter Codes Dots E I S H Sandwich Letters K . P .. X .. R .. Letters with No Opposites Z .. C .. J .

. .. ... .

Dashes T M O Opposites A . B ... D .. G . F ... Y .

N V U W L Q

. ... .. . ... .