Grostenquin, France

31 Dec 64

Plant - The network consists of five 50 Watt FM transmitters located at Metz (Network HQ) and at the four Wing stations of the Air Division, connected by RCAF micro-wave voice circuits. The transmitter at 2 Wing closed down in mid-July 1964 when 2 Wing itself was closed. This transmitter was moved in December 1964 to 4ATAF Ramstein SU. It was installed there on 22 Dec 64 and was expected to begin broadcasting early in 1965, obtaining its programme exclusively from Metz via 4ATAF micro-wave. All transmitters are the property of the Department of National Defence, as is the equipment of the Network HQ studio in Metz. Wing studio equipment is provided and maintained by M&I funds. A studio in the Network HQ building at Metz was equipped for independent RCAF volunteer broadcasting in 1962 (cost to M&I approximately $3,000.00). This equipment was dismantled in Dec 64 and sold to 4CIBG for $500.00 as Metz volunteer activity did not warrant its being maintained.

Activity - During the past six months, CFN Headquarters continued to broadcast 116 hours a week, with weekday sign-on at 0630 hours and sign-off at 0010 hours. Saturdays and Sundays sign-on at 1000 hours and sign-off at 2400 hours. Programme hours at Wing stations vary only slightly from this, some staying on the air later to serve night crews.

Routing Service - Network HQ at Metz makes available to all stations approximately 70 hours weekly of CBC taped and short-wave programming, and 46 hours of local production by volunteers and staff. Wing stations, depending on activity of local volunteer staff, take from 60 to 70 hours weekly of the CBC material, and from 10 to 30 hours of Metz staff productions. When Wing volunteers are not available, there is at all times a programme on the line that can be accepted from Metz.

Special Programmes - During the 1964 calendar year the Air Division Football Championship was brought to the whole Air Division live from the Metz Sports field by CFN staff, assisted by F/L BA Birbeck. The Grey Cup game was broadcast live, brought from Canada via COTC cable. Results of the US elections were relayed to CFN listeners from short wave sources starting at 0500 hours the following morning.

Due to an increase in short-wave time made available by CBC International Service, the number of daily newscasts on CFN was increased from three to six (at 0730, 1230, 1310, 1900, 2230 and 2400 hours). Content of short-wave news was still too heavily international and institutional.

Coverage of Canadian sports was improved by the CBC's addition of a morning newscast, received at CFN at 0700 and rebroadcast at 0730 hours. This newscast began on a trial basis during the summer and became regular in September. Early morning news from CFN was thus able for the first time to include the results of football and hockey games played in the previous day in Canada. Air Division hockey was scheduled in such a way that each Wing heard all games in which its team was playing. Final inter-Wing games were broadcast to the full network.

The eight-week course begun in Dec 63 was dropped after six weeks because of poor turnout. Three volunteers began on-the-job training during the summer. This system has proved more successful than courses, as it attracts only those who are really interested in working. The three have proven valuable assets to CFN. A fourth volunteer (a female dependent with previous experience at 3 Wing CFN) has provided a regular afternoon children's programme to the network.

A meeting was held in September 1964, attended by Mr. A Cowan of CBC and representatives from DND, Ottawa and 4CIBG to discuss ways and means of improving radio service for Canadians in Europe. Recommendations were drafted to provide additional equipment necessary for Radio CFN and Radio CAE, funds for a technician for each, and improvements to the micro-wave link within the CFN network, which was judged to be inadequate.

The civilian technician hired in August 1963 gave notice that he would leave in Feb 65. It was decided that transmitter maintenance at all locations and studio maintenance at Metz should be carried out by a Comm Tech (G) from 1 Air Div HQ after the departure of the civilian technician. CFN 4 Wing reported severe interference from a German station and requested a new frequency. It is hoped to obtain one at 100 Mc or above, an area not used by European FM stations. Frequencies in use by CFN transmitters at the present time are as follows:

Probably frequency for the Ramstein satellite is 101.2 Mc.

One staff announcer (Metz) and one Wing manager (2 Wing) completed their contract terms (extended) and returned to Canada in June. The announcer was replaced, but the Wing Manager was not as the station was closed. Total CFN staff was as follows for the 1964 calendar year :

Conclusion

During the 1964 calendar year CFN continued to bring news, information, sports and a variety of entertainment from Canada to RCAF personnel and their dependents overseas. If recommendations made by the meeting mentioned above are carried out this service could be greatly improved in the future, in two main respects: reception of news from Canada and reception of the Metz programme by the Wing Relay transmitters.