Marville France

Extract from 1 Air Division HQ Historical Report - 31 December 1965.

PART VII - CFN NETWORK

General

The Network consists of five 50-Watt FM transmitters located at Network HQ, Metz, 1, 3 and 4 Wings, and at Ramstein (4ATAF). Public property involvement in the network includes transmitters, broadcast antennas and CFN HQ studios at Metz. Studios at Wing locations are provided out of M&I funds. Network connections are made by RCAF microwave to the Wings, and by 4 ATAF microwave to Ramstein.

During the period CFN continued to broadcast 116 hours a week, with weekday sign-on at 0630 hrs, Sat, Sun and holidays sign-on at 1000 hr. Sign-off daily was at 0005 hrs. In some cases, Wing Stations stayed on the air locally after midnight with volunteer staffs to serve night crews.

Programming

Of the 116 hours weekly programming, approximately 70 were provided by CBC tape and shortwave services. The remainder was programmed locally from CFN Metz studios. Metz local programming was duplicated as far as possible by Wing stations, where broadcasting is considered a recreation for volunteers. There was, however, at all times a programme available from Metz during the 116 hours a week.

News programmes were increased from 4 daily to 7 daily throughout the period, thanks to changes in CBC's shortwave schedule. CBC tapes were delivered first to 4 CIBG and after broadcast there, were forwarded to 1 Air Div. The tape schedule contained a cross-section of Canadian programmes designed to provide material of interest to specific groups (housewives, children, teenagers, car hobby groups, etc.) as well as to a general audience. Special events given coverage during the period included the Canadian election, various space flights by US astronauts (taken from short wave with the co-operation of the American Forces Network), the Stanley Cup and Grey Cup games and the Queen's visit to 4 CIBG.

Technical

CFN's civilian technician was replaced during the period by a Cpl ComTech assigned full time to CFN. This technician is responsible for maintenance of publicly owned components of the network.

Personnel

In April, the local manager at 4 Wing was released for health reasons, and the 3 Wing manager returned to Canada on completion of his contract. These positions remained vacant until September. An announcer vacancy at Metz, filled in June, became vacant again in September as the Ryerson student in question decided to return to Canada to attend university. His position was filled by a Canadian student travelling in Europe who arrived by chance as the opening became available. The new 3 Wing manager, brought to Europe by the RCAF in August, resigned in Dec 65 (eff 1 Feb 66). Staff at the end of the period was as follows:

Director and Assistant Director (CBC seconded), announcer-operators, Metz, 3; Wing managers, 3; secretary (French National) at Metz, 1; technician, Cpl ComTech, 1.