Charlie Rook
National Service
1968 – 1969
by Charlie Rook
CONTENTS
MY JOURNAL 1
National Service 1
1968 – 1969 1
INTRODUCTION 3
1968 4
Armoured Corps Training 4
Holsworthy 26
Canungra 39
Holsworthy 48
Rockhampton 71
Holsworthy 76
Eastern Command Personnel Depot 80
Vietnam 84
1969 100
INTRODUCTION
1968
Armoured Corps Training
Monday, 1 January 1968
Burnie
I spent New Year’s eve at Froll and Geoff’s in Burnie, with Mum, Rick, Henk and Annelies, and Jeanette. Jeanette and I then went to John and Pauline Kalbfell’s and partied on to 5:30 AM. John’s home brew started working. I washed and packed my gear, and showed Jeanette how to pitch a tent. Good news, her periods came. Libby Jones (Jeanette’s sister) announced her engagement to Tim Ferguson. Jeanette and I stayed home at night with Della (Jeanette’s mother), and Ross Jones and I shared a few drinks and chatted. My leave was drawing to a close, and I was looking forward to going back to Camp for my Armoured Corps training.
Tuesday, 2 January 1968
Puckapunyal
Back to Camp today with mixed feelings. I enjoy the excitement and the challenges and the attention one gets from being in the Army, but I do miss my friends and want to share it all with them. I got ready to leave. Mum, Froll, her kids, and Jeanette took me to the airport where we said our goodbyes. Flew to Melbourne on a nice clear day. Took the bus to the city, then to Spencer Street railway station by taxi. Got a train ticket to Seymour from the RTO. Typical Army style – had to wait 3 hours for a train, so I walked around town and had a few beers. Sat next to a very nice girl on the train, then caught a taxi to the Armoured Centre. Terrific barracks. Red brick and double storey, not like the demountable tin sheds at Recruit Training. Separate rooms with four to a room. I’m sharing with John Meredith. We unpacked and had an early night as we were both tired. I was also a bit apprehensive as to what lay in store.
Wednesday, 3 January 1968
Puckapunyal
This is not bad. We didn’t have to get up until 6:15 AM when we cleaned up and were allowed to make our own way to breakfast. Wearing our polyesters instead of fatigues. This is much better. We also make our own way to all meals and don’t have to march together every where we go. Much more relaxed, not like Rookies at all. They handed out leave passes, swimming passes and theatre passes, and we get ¾ hour smoko’s. We can also wear our civilian clothing after 4:30 PM if we are not on duty. We had a medical inspection in the afternoon. Ray Way, another Tasmanian from Blackman’s Bay arrived and is sharing with us, and John Meredith is a nice Pom. It’s very hot, so we all went down to the boozer. This is terrific, a nice easy life. I think I’ll enjoy my stay here.
I wrote letters to Jeanette, Mum and Froll just to let them know I’d arrived and how much better it was here than in recruit training.
Thursday, 4 January 1968
Puckapunyal
This is a pretty good life. Everything is nice and relaxed and easy going. Not at all like Rookie’s. We had lectures this morning about the great traditions of Armoured Corps, and were taken on a guided tour of the Armoured Museum where we saw all sorts of impressive tanks and armoured cars and other equipment. It all seemed very impressive and I’m to be part of it! Wow! Then we had a lecture on the structure and organisation of a squadron and were asked our preferences. I put Armoured Cavalry first, tanks second as a driver. Tanks are bigger and have more fire power, but cavalry is faster and seems more exciting. We all went down to the boozer at night, and I feel a little fuzzy headed. I think I’m really going to like this.
I started a letter to Judy Freeman.
Friday, 5 January 1968
Puckapunyal
More lectures in the morning, and then went swimming at 3:30 PM. All very civilised. We went to the boozer again in the evening as it’s still very hot. I’m quite happy here. It certainly is a change from working at the Pulp.
I finished the letter to Judy, and started one to Merridee Baker.
Saturday, 6 January 1968
Puckapunyal
More lectures and films, then we got our job allocations. I’m to be a Driver/Signaller at A Squadron 3rd Cavalry Regiment in Holsworthy New South Wales. I should be going there on 15th March. A Squadron 3rd Cavalry are going to Vietnam in April/May. Ray Way is to be a Clerk at Holsworthy, and John Meredith is to be a Gunner/Signaller in Centurion tanks. I start a radio operators course on Monday.
It is suddenly all going very fast. I’m sure the training will be very good – we are the best trained soldiers in the world – but I’m not sure I will be ready for Vietnam by April/May. I must work very hard and learn as much as I can. But when I consider how much I’ve learned in the last three months and how I am now, I’m sure it will all be fine. They don’t send you to Vietnam unless you’ve passed everything. They can’t afford to have you there if you are going to let the side down. I’m very excited about it all and looking forward to learning all sorts of new things about radios, armoured fighting vehicles, driving, firearms, and becoming a good Australian soldier.
I started another letter to Jeanette, but haven’t got any mail as yet.
Sunday, 7 January 1968
Puckapunyal
We get Sundays off here unless you are on duty. I had a nice lie in until 7:30 AM, then went to church. I feel a bit overawed, frightened by it all, and feel that I need something or someone to help me get through it all. And the hymns are always a comfort. I spent the rest of the day at the swimming pool and practised diving from the diving board, but wasn’t much good at it. Some of the others look really great. There were lots of good looking birds there too. I got pretty sunburnt, and went to the boozer at night.
I finished the letter to Jeanette.
Monday, 8 January 1968
Puckapunyal
I started the radio operators course today. It’s very hard yakka and you have to stay switched on. It was 110 degrees F, very hot. There is an RSM parade tomorrow, so I spent the evening cleaning my gear and swotting, then joined John for two beers just before closing time.
Ray Way is working in the Sergeant’s Mess and is going to Holsworthy tomorrow.
I should write to Jeanette but I’m too tired, the heat just drains it out of you. I’m also very homesick and wish I was back in civvy street. Still no mail as yet but I’m hoping.
Tuesday, 9 January 1968
Puckapunyal
It’s stinking hot and muggy. Ray Way left for Holsworthy today, but left his shortbread behind which his mother had made for him. He was barman in the Sergeants Mess yesterday. I had a few beers with John Meredith, and am very broke.
The radio operator’s course is very hard, but manageable if you stay switched on and concentrate, but that’s easier said than done in this hot muggy weather. Corporal Carter talked to us about Vietnam, and it doesn’t seem too bad, but I don’t want to die yet.
I’m very homesick and wish to hell my time was up. I’ve still got 91 weeks and 4 days to go. Wrote another letter to Jeanette, but still no mail for me as yet.
I must get to bed as I’m very tired. It’s very exacting work on that radio operator’s course.
Wednesday, 10 January 1968
Puckapunyal
It’s so hot and muggy. We continued on with the radio course in the morning, and then the weather broke and the rains came. What a relief, it cooled everything down. Wednesday afternoon is sport afternoon, and I went swimming at the pool. Went to the boozer in the evening. I’m very tired and listless from this weather. Wrote a letter to Danny Neilson at APPM, asking if they would make up my pay. Also wrote to Della Jones, John te Strake, and Jeanette. Two young regs arrived and have moved in with John and me. They are both 17½ and very young, but they seem like nice blokes. The rain has cooled everything down nicely so its a cool refreshing night. I’m still tired and broke and homesick.
Thursday, 11 January 1968
Puckapunyal
A cooler day thank goodness, mild to hot. Continued on with the radio operator’s course. We had an RSM parade this morning. The RSM said I looked like a bus conductor. I think he was trying to insult me, but I thought it was funny – but I didn’t laugh. You beaut. At last I’ve got a letter from Jeanette, but it just makes me more homesick. Had a beer with John Meredith, but I’m very tired. This radio operator’s course is exhausting and you have to stay on the ball to learn all the call signs and the correct voice procedure. The food seems to be getting progressively worse, but I don’t mind the life too much. I took Mrs Bangles, the little white koala bear Jeanette gave me, to bed with me last night, I felt very lonesome and homesick..
I sent letters to Denis and Maree Meehan, Mum, and Jeanette.
Friday, 12 January 1968
Puckapunyal
Continued with the radio operator’s course. We had a film on security, and learned about griddle codes and the tank Squadron radio network. All the call signs actually mean something and you can identify who the person is by their call sign once you know the system. We had a room inspection this morning, which we passed with no problems, it’s all much easier than in Rookies. The food is getting really lousy. I went to the gym for exercise this evening, I’d hate to lose all my fitness from recruit training while sitting around doing this radio operator’s course, and then had a couple of beers with John Meredith. I’m not worried about anything much but just feel restless and ill at ease, as though I don’t really belong in here. Must do my washing tomorrow.
No mail today, which was bitterly disappointing. I wrote a letter to Annelies, and took Mrs Bangles to bed with me again. I’m sure they would all take the mickey out of me if any of the blokes found out.
Saturday, 13 January 1968
Puckapunyal
Another day off in camp. I got up at 6:00 AM and did my washing so I could get that out of the way, and then went swimming all day. I managed to do my first proper dive from the low board, and then grew bolder and jumped and dived from the high board as well. Had a few beers with John, and started a letter to Jeanette. John thinks we are like the “Likely Lads,” always larking about. We sat up yarning most of the night.
Sunday, 14 January 1968
Puckapunyal
I went to church this morning as I was feeling very lonely, then went swimming and swotted up on the radio operator’s course. John’s bird came up from Melbourne for the day, which increased my feeling of loneliness. John and I went to the gym and the boozer after she had gone. We bruised our arms trying various exercises.
I wrote to Jeanette and feel a great love for her. It’s our 3rd anniversary tomorrow, I wonder if she will remember it and feel about it like I do. There’s a mail strike on, so we won’t be getting any mail for ages. I’ll really miss that.
Monday, 15 January 1968
Puckapunyal
Continued on with the radio operator’s course. We learnt about the C42 radio set, relay procedures when you have to pass messages on when the receiving station can’t get a clear message, and about the Cavalry Squadron network. Went swimming in the evening and had a cut lunch for tea. It was better than the food we’ve been getting lately. Also had a few beers with John to finish off the day.
It was the 3rd anniversary of our meeting today, so I sent Jeanette a telegram. The damn mail strike stops us getting any mail, and that really pisses me off. We have to go to Vietnam to fight the bloody commos, and they stab us in the back here in Australia by going on strike – a bloody mail strike. Don’t they realise how important our mail is to us? We should fix our own problems in our own country first, before we go around solving every one else’s, especially when they are of no real concern to us anyway.
Tuesday, 16 January 1968
Puckapunyal
Another hot and humid day. Continued with the radio operator’s course and were given some homework to do. We also had a close look at a Ferret and Saladin Scout Cars and a Rover fitted for radio. We had another room inspection, but it was all pretty low key. The two regular soldiers sharing our room are Terry Isberg and Stuart Pollard. Terry is a lot like Bill Richie in build and manner of speech, while Stuart is a small bright bloke. They are both nice blokes. I’m also getting to know some of the other blokes on the course. Two of them are cattle men from Queensland called Youngie and Wedmiar. They are both pretty wild and woolly, and Youngie seems to be a really nice bloke. You get to meet some interesting chaps in here, but some of them are a bit rough, and others are a bit poncy and up themselves. Most of them are not my type at all, but no doubt we will get on as needs be.
No mail yet as the Posties are still on strike. None of us are very happy about that. I’ll be pleased when I’ve finished my National Service and can get back to a normal life with Jeanette and my family and friends back home.
Wednesday, 17 January 1968
Puckapunyal
Another stinker of a day. 112 degrees at the sergeant’s mess. Sergeant Delaney, who is running our radio operator’s course, said we were the worst crew he has ever had. They all say that, I don’t know what they hope to achieve by telling us crap like that. They might think it will make us work harder, but we are just giving it our best shot. There is also a bit of animosity between the regs and the nashos. I think the regs are jealous that we’ve got a life other than the Army, and some of the nashos also bullshit a bit about what wonderful lives they were leading in civvy street. We’ve got an exam tomorrow night, so must do a bit of swotting tonight. Some of the others haven’t done any studies since they left school, and so aren’t used to it.
Still no mail.
Thursday, 18 January 1968
Puckapunyal
Two letters today. Yippee. One from Jeanette and one from Froll. Not much in them but it’s still great to hear from home. I don’t know how they got through as the mail strike is still on.
Continued on the radio operators course with Sergeant Delaney. We were out in the bush all morning with a “K” telephone. That was great fun, then we started working with a US AN/PRC 25 set in the afternoon. What a great bit of gear. It’s small and light and portable, and all the frequencies are preset so you don’t have to constantly tune them. Much better than the UK stuff we have been working with so far. I went for a quick swim at dinner time to cool off, and then we had our exam at night. I didn’t think it was too hard, and seemed to go OK. Had a few beers with the boys afterwards.
We got paid today, $40. Must get my plane ticket home tomorrow. I miss Jeanette and love her very much. But the Army is not too bad at the moment either.
Friday, 19 January 1968
Puckapunyal
Continuation of the radio operator’s course with Sergeant Delaney. We had a voice procedure test this morning. No one did very well at it. We learned about the C13 radio this afternoon. It’s still hot and still no mail.
John and most of the fellows have gone home to Melbourne for the weekend. John lives in Melbourne. His father is some sort of top surgeon. It’s easy for them to go home for the weekend as it’s only about 60 miles from Puckapunyal. I feel very lonely and homesick, and feel like sitting down and crying and don’t know what to do over the weekend. I’m going home to Tassie next weekend and must save my money for that. I’ve only got $4 more than my airfare. Must get all my work done and be ready for next weekend.
Only 89 weeks and 1 day to go.
I had a beer on my own and started writing some letters.
Saturday, 20 January 1968
Puckapunyal
Some rain at last to cool the place down. I did my washing and ironing, scorching my shirt in the process. Got a hair cut and my ticket home for next weekend. I’ll be happy to be out of here for a few days next weekend. Started reading a James Bond book, and started letters to Jeanette, her Grandma, Della, Froll, Annelies, Mum, Rex and Val Smith, and Mrs De Vries. I feel very home sick.
Sunday, 21 January 1968
Puckapunyal
Went to church this morning, then finished off the letters I’d started yesterday. It’s a very cold day. The weather here is such extremes. I read and swotted and lazed around all day. Hardly anyone left here at camp over the weekend, so no one to play with. I feel very lonely and homesick. I’m really looking forward to seeing Jeanette next weekend, and love her very much. I’ll go for a run and to the gym for a workout when John Meredith gets back.
Monday, 22 January 1968
Puckapunyal
Continued on the radio operator’s course with Sergeant Delaney. We got our exam results back. I got 87% and was 8th in the whole Radio Wing, while John got 93% and was 2nd. We went for a run to 2RTB after work, and had a few beers. Word is that the mail will begin moving again soon.
Tuesday, 23 January 1968
Puckapunyal
Continued on with the radio operator’s course. We did a manpack exercise with the American AN/PRC25 set. I think I went fairly well. I had to do extra drill for not wearing a clean tank suit. I also had my interview with the Commanding Officer. It’s a standard thing. He wants to know how we are going and if we have any problems. I don’t know what they really expect. After four months of getting the crap beaten out of you where you don’t matter, just do as you are told, then to be asked if you are happy, well, what can you really say? So I answered like everyone else. “Yes Sir,” and “No Sir.” Do they really think you are going to tell it how it is! I wonder what would happen to you if you did? You would be sure to finish up in even bigger shit. I wonder why they bother going through this charade. Probably just to protect their arse in case any of the mothers complain about the conditions and treatment. Anyway, the CO said “aerial” and owes me a beer. We aren’t allowed to call them aerials, we have to call them antennae.
The mail has started moving again and I should get some tomorrow.
Wednesday, 24 January 1968
Puckapunyal
We had swimming time trials first thing this morning, and I got into the swimming team. I don’t know who we are going to swim against, but at least we’ve got a team ready in case anyone comes along. Then from 9:00 to 12:00 we had our practical radio exam. I didn’t fail, but I didn’t do too well either. Swimming for sport again this afternoon. It’s so hot here I spend as much time in the water as possible just to cool off. It was 103 degrees this morning at 11:00 AM. A thunderstorm started at 3:00 PM. I just hate this weather. The sweat just drips off me. I came back to camp to do my washing but the power was off. We’ve got exercise Tiger tomorrow, which should be a lot of fun.
I got one letter from Jeanette and one card. They were posted on the 11th and 18th. It was great to get some news. I hope she gets my mail and meets me in Launceston on Friday. I am so looking forward to going home again and being with my little Nettie. I do love her very much, much more than I realised before all this started.
Thursday, 25 January 1968
Puckapunyal
We had exercise Tiger today and that was a lot of fun. We had to chase and capture the Wing Sergeant Major who was driving around in a Ferret Scout Car, while we chased him in Land Rovers. We had to use proper radio and voice procedure, and use relayed messages etc. We didn’t really have a chance. By the time we got our messages out in the official Army manner, he had long since vanished. At dinner time we went for a swim in Lake Nagambie, and then came back to camp. We also had a big inspection this evening from the Regimental Sergeant Major and the Adjutant, and I passed it OK.
I got two letters today, one from Merridee Baker, the other from Judy Freeman, and very welcome they were too. I’m going home tomorrow. Yippee. I must send Jeanette a telegram to make sure she knows I’m coming, just in case she didn’t get my mail. I’m really looking forward to spending the long weekend with her.
Friday, 26 January 1968
Puckapunyal
I’m going home today. Continued on with the radio operator’s course, dealing with batteries and the PRC 25. I’m starting to get to know some of the blokes in the other crews now too. Those in 3 Crew are real good blokes, and we had a lot of fun together during the smokos.
I got letters from Ray Way and Annelies today, and a telegram from Judy. Judy is expecting me in Melbourne this weekend. I must ring her as I go through Melbourne and let her know I’m heading home to Tassie for the long weekend. I’m leaving now to head home. Yippee. You little beauty.
Later.
I flew to Launceston and Jeanette met me at the plane. We are staying at the Taylor’s, her Uncle and Aunty in Longford, who are broad minded and let us sleep together. I was so pleased to see her. Jeanette wants us to “cool off.” I’m totally confused, and very hurt and disappointed. I just don’t understand it. I love her so much and really need her now. I don’t know what to do, and just want to jump straight back on that plane and fly back to camp. Nobody wants a nasho. I wish to hell I hadn’t come home. What terrible news to come home to for a long weekend of leave. This is really terrible and I just don’t know what to do.
Saturday, 27 & Sunday 28 January 1968
Blackman’s Bay
I had a very restless night and feel terribly confused about everything. I’ve had the wind knocked out of my sails and I just don’t know what to do next. I had this whole weekend planned and now this happens. I’d put everything into my relationship with Jeanette. Three years of my love and affection thrown back at me. I’m very disappointed and dispirited. We’ll just have to make the most of it for the weekend and then see what happens, perhaps I can win her back, but I don’t have much fight left in me at the moment. I just feel flat.
Jeanette and I drove down to Mum’s place in Blackman’s Bay and went swimming. We visited Mrs Way and spent an enjoyable evening with Denis and Maree Meehan. Jeanette seems very cold and confused, and I still love her dearly. I want to go to Vietnam. I’m furious and pent up, and can’t take my hurt out in any way. All the family except Henry are home. It’s Mum’s Birthday, and Jeanette and I did the best we could to help celebrate and act as though nothing had happened and nothing was wrong. I wonder when we will all be together again, including Jeanette?
Monday, 29 January 1968
Blackman’s Bay
I spent another very restless night. I’m just so worried about what will happen to Jeanette and me. I do love her dearly, but I feel very hurt and disappointed. I told Froll what had happened. Jeanette and I left home and drove back to Launceston. It was a very quiet trip and I felt like a stranger who shouldn’t be there. I wanted to touch her and hold her and never let go, but she just wanted to get it all over and done with and get out of there. What a bitter disappointment. Froll and Geoff and Henk and Annelies as well as Jeanette saw me off on the plane, back to camp. I wanted to hug Jeanette and never let her go, but she just patted me on the back and said goodbye. I feel so very, very sad. When will I ever be home again? Why would I even want to come home with no Jeanette? What’s going to happen to her? And to me? I couldn’t bear to think of her with some other bloke. What a mess this all is, and what a disaster of a trip home. I wish I’d never come home, then this would not have happened. Everything was fine when I left after Christmas, how could all this happen in just four weeks?
I hitch-hiked back to Puckapunyal. John Meredith was not back yet. I unpacked, had a shower and did my washing. I was in a daze. What a lousy way to feel after a long weekend at home. “Lemon Tree,” Missing in Action,” and “Dear John” all in one. It feels absolutely terrible to be rejected and not to be wanted. What on earth an I going to do?
Tuesday, 30 January 1968
Puckapunyal
Its back to work again on that damned radio operator’s course. We had another exam this evening. I didn’t do too well, but hope I can still pass. My mind wasn’t really on the job.
I got another late letter from Jeanette, and there was no inkling of anything untoward. I wonder if I will ever marry her? I still love her, but she has hurt me very deeply. I can’t decide what to do next weekend, whether to go to Melbourne and see Judy or not. I showed John my slides, and I still feel very sad when I see slides of Jeanette. I hope and pray that she will come back to me, and that I won’t be too proud to have her back. What will happen to me now? A 25 year old bloke can’t really go courting from scratch again, and who wants a bloody soldier anyway? This exciting adventure has turned into a bloody disaster.
Wednesday, 31 January 1968
Puckapunyal
Still on the radio operator’s course, and no sport today. It was very, very hot and humid. 120 degrees. We are going on exercise Pyalong tomorrow, that should be good. It’s also John’s Birthday tomorrow.
I wrote letters to Mum, Ray Way and Merridee, and rang Judy Freeman. I’m going to Melbourne for the weekend. I still feel very hurt about Jeanette, not so much hurt as just wanting her back. I’d placed all my hopes and everything on her, and I can’t really understand what went wrong. Well, you never know what can happen in two years by the time I get out of the Army. I just hope and pray she comes back to me. Soon. I must have a talk to Mrs Bangles about it all.
Thursday, 1 February 1968
Puckapunyal
Continued on the radio operator’s course with Sergeant Delaney. We went on exercise Pyalong, which was great fun, but I got lost. It was also John’s birthday today. I had to do Hygiene Duties for leaving my books out, so I couldn’t go to town with John to celebrate as I had to do this extra work. Can’t win a trick at the moment. We got our exam results back, I got 78% which was very pleasing.
I wrote a letter to Annelies and also received one from her today. Gee I feel lonely and empty when I’m by myself or when I get time to mull things over. I still love Jeanette very much, and I wish my time in the Army was up so that I could go back to her.
Friday, 2 February 1968
Puckapunyal
A listless and depressing day. Continued the radio operator’s course. John has to do fire fighting piquet this weekend, so he won’t be going home to Melbourne. That’s a pity as we could have gone out together. Vietnam seems to be getting very “hot”, with more trouble and action.
I went to Melbourne for the weekend. Feeling very lonely. I rang Judy Freeman and we went out together.
Saturday & Sunday, 3 & 4 February 1968
Melbourne
Spent the weekend in Melbourne and stayed at the Park Royal so I could have my own place and do my own thing. I visited Tony Wicks who used to be one of the party boys back in Burnie. He lives in Melbourne now and I’ve used his place as a weekend base before. Spent some time with Judy at the Park Royal, but felt too drained and listless to enjoy much of the night life. Spent $35, which is much more than I can afford.
I hitch-hiked back to camp. There were two letters, one from Jeanette and one from Froll. Jeanette sent a cheque for $400, but I don’t like motorbikes. (I have no idea what that means, or what the $400 was for.) Poor Jeanette doesn’t seem to be at all happy. I wish there was something I could do to help, but what can I do when I’m here and she’s home in Tassie. Anyway, we all have to live our own lives and work out our own problems.
We have our final written radio exam tomorrow, and I must do well at that. I must do well at something, so it might as well be this. I can’t seem to do any good at any other parts of my life.
Monday, 5 February 1968
Puckapunyal
We did the final radio exam today, and I think I did fairly well. We go on an antenna exercise tomorrow. Had a few beers with John Meredith this evening.
I got a letter from Mum today. She seems very worried about what’s going on between Jeanette and myself. So I wrote to her to clear things up and put her mind at rest. I wonder when I will next hear from Jeanette and how she will be towards me? I don’t really know how I feel towards her now, she was so very reliable and always there for me. There’s just a big hole there now, and I feel very lonely and isolated. I hope we get together again soon.
I tried to bank my $400 cheque, but I didn’t have any identification. Fancy not being able to use your own money. I want to get some AMI shares. They were $1.06 on Friday, and I hope they drop a bit in price for me by the time I get them.
Tuesday, 6 February 1968
Puckapunyal
What a long and tiring but enjoyable day. We went on an antenna exercise to Healesville. Up at 5:00 AM and back at 10:00 PM. We went in a Land Rover with various radios, and stopped 5 or 10 miles and tried to establish communication back to base. The further we were away from base the more difficult the link ups became. In the end we had to put up big antennae, tune them and have them pointing in the right direction. It was all pretty interesting and showed how it all really worked. I w