Wireless Sets overview part 1

Wireless Set 1

A light portable station used as a ground station or General Purpose Vehicle station. Used by infantry, for both speech and morse.

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Wireless Set 2

The WS2 was primarily designed for use in trucks, light and medium tanks and in armoured cars, but could be removed from the vehicle to be set up as a ground station. The WS 2 consists of four separate basic units: transmitter, receiver, rotary transformer unit for the transmitter, and a HT unit for the receiver.

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Wireless Set 3

The WS3 was developed for medium range communications between corps and division and for line communications. The station was normally housed in a Leyland medium 6-wheeled vehicle but could be removed from the vehicle and used as a ground station. The set could be operated with high-speed morse equipment achieving signalling speeds up to 120 words per minute. Replaced by WS 33.

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Wireless Set 4

The WS4 was intended for semi-mobile long range communications between GHQ and Corps HQ. The set was normally remote controlled using Wheatstone or automatic Morse equipment.

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Wireless Set 5

The WS5 was very heavy speech adn morse sender for fixed point-to-point communication between Base/GHQ/Corps. The transmitter could keyed up to 600 wpm by using high-speed morse equipment. The equipment consists of 3 separate units.

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Wireless Set 6

The WS6 was developed for world-wide communication as transmitter in the army chain. Only 2 sets were build.

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Wireless Set 7

Developed as inter-tank set, with a rather strange shape to fit in the bulge of a tank. The set consists two cases holding the transmitter and receiver.

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Wireless Set 8

Designed as a short range R/T set for use in forward areas.

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Wireless Set 9 Mk I

The WS 9 is carried as a vehicle station in trucks 15 cwt. 4 wheeled wireless, from which it may be extracted for use as a ground station. Uses both speech and morse. Consists of separate sender, receiver and supply unit, which fit into "WS 9 carrier No.1", connecting being made between sender (right part), receiver (left part) and supply unit (centre part) by means of plugs in the carrier. If, however, the set has to be used out of the carrier, connection between the 3 units is made by "connector plugs No.5"

The sender has two identical tuning circuits which can be set and locked to different frequencies. A quick change can be made from one frequency to another by a two way-position switch. This is called a "flick" frequency mechanism. Will transmit C.W. and M.C.W. Morse, also telephony, using "key and plug assembly No.6" and "microphones hand No.3"

The receiver has a superhet circuit, and is highly sensitive. A.V.C. for both speech and morse is provided to facilitate working on the move, and where "fading" is troublesome. Flick frequency mechanism also provided.

The Supply unit is by means of two "batteries secondary portable 6V 100/125 Ah Mk.IV" Connected in series by "connector single No.3" and to the set by "connector twin No.17". "Lamps operator No.1" fits into the socket of "connector twin No.17"

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Wireless Set 9 Mk I Canadian

The Wireless Set Canadian No.9 Mk.I was developed as a general-purpose vehicle and ground station. Production started in early 1943, performance was quite similar to the WS 19 High Power. Technical the set was better than the British WS 9 by using modern valves and better components.

Year of issue 1943 Purpose Medium range truck and ground station Frequency 1.870 - 5 MHz Range (miles) CW 50, R/T 25 Power output (watt) CW 50, R/T 30 Transport Wireless truck Remarks Canadian design

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Wireless Set 10

The wireless set 10 provided 8 telephone circuits over a duplex radio path. Each station had to have a clear 'line of sight' path to each other. If the route could not be covered by a single link, up to 7 relay stations could be inserted in the chain.
The set was a technological wonder of its time. It used techniques that had not been used before in telecommunications equipment, and it is the forerunner of the modern day radio relay equipment and the radio telephone.

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Wireless Set 11

The British Wireless Set No.11 was developed by Mr. (later Dr.) W.A.S. Butement (He became chief scientist of Australia and chief of Weapons Research Establishment (WRE) which is in South Australia.) in 1935 at the Signals Experimental Establishment (S.E.E.). Large scale production commenced by E.K. Cole in November 1938 and ceased in 1942, with several manufactures producing some 19.000 sets. The No.11 was intended as an universal replacement for the general purpose Wireless Set No.1 and armoured fighting vehicles (AFV) set No.9.

The No 11 Set was the main communication of the British Army at the outbreak of the second world war. The 11 Set was one of the first sets which combined transmitter and receiver circuits into a single unit with a single tuning control to simplify netting.
The Germans also used some 11 sets which were captured in France.

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Wireless Set 11 Australian

In Australia, conversion design, using locally available valves and components, started in 1941 and producing by Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd. (A.W.A.) in the first half of 1943. This set was effectively replaced by the No.22 (Aust.) for general purposes and the No.19 (Aust) for A.F.V. purposes in 1944. Ranges from 3 miles with a 6ft vehicular whip antenna on low power with voice, up to 20 miles with a 9ft vertical ground antenna and high power with morse, could be archived.

The receiver is a 7 valve superhetrodyne design with an intermediate frequency (I.F.) of 455 Kc/s. Total number of valves, 9 shared between the transmitter and receiver. The output valve is the ubiquitous 807.

Tony Bell Collection

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Wireless Set 12 Low Power

The Wireless Set No.12 was designed as a general-purpose low-power transmitter, using either crystal oscillator or valve master oscillator. Normally was used in combination with Reception Set R-107 as a ground station. However the set was also used in 15-cwt trucks as a replacement for the (British) WS 9.

The Sender is arranged to transmit C.W., M.C.W., and R.T. Using R.T. Send/Receive switching is performed by the pressel switch in "microphone hand No.4" A "normal/break in" switch is provided which can be used as an ordinary Send/Receive switch or left at "Break in" position when the set remains in receiving condition until the pressel switch in "microphone hand No.4" or the morse key is depressed, automatically returning to receive when the pressel or the key is released.

"Connector 3 point No.9" links the R 107 to the WS 12 at the main sender station in order that the above operation may be carried out, and also to allow sidetone from the sender to be heard on the receiver.

The WS 12 can only be operated from A.C. between 100/250V 45/60 c/s. Batteries can not be used. "Generator B.M.B. DC/AC 250 W" is issued with the complete station as a stand-by, the normal A.C. supply mains being used whenever possible. This generator is arranged to recharge the "secondary batts." used for the R 107 when not required for operating the WS 12.

Year of issue 1941 Purpose GP Div, Bde Mobile / Ground station Frequency 1.2 - 17.5 MHz Range (miles) CW 60, R/T 25 Power output (watt) CW 25, R/T 7 Transport 15cwt truck Remarks

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Wireless Set 12 High Power

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Wireless Set 13

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Wireless Set 14

A short range set (up to 800 yards) intended for use as an inter-tank station. Used in Armoured Command Vehicles type A, B and C. Consists of separate Sender, Receiver Rejecter and Repeater, for speech only. It's purpose later being fulfilled by the WS 19 Bset.

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Wireless Set 15

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Wireless Set 16

The 16 Set was used to interfere with enemy field communications, but was never used by the Army.

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Wireless Set 17

The WS 17 is a short range ultra short wave set for intercommunication between units of a searchlight battery, A.A. battery or a detachment of R.E. A small two-valve sender and receiver approximately the size of a WS 18 in a wooden case. A short range set which conveys messages which previously would have been sent by lamps signalling daylight. The WS 17 Mk II has provision for use with "rhombic aerials"

Year of issue 1941 Purpose Searchlight HQ/Detachm. communication Frequency 44 - 61 MHz Range (miles) R/T 3-5 Power output (watt) R/T 0.3 Transport stationary/portable Remarks

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Wireless Set 18

The WS 18 was the standard British Army man-pack radio during WWII and is designed for short range communication working in forward areas. It may be used as a ground station for working in the open or from cover, and as a man-carried pack set for working on the march. It can be entirely seld-contained in one unit comprising Sender (upper unit), Receiver (lower unit) and Batteries (in bottom of the set). It is a low-power output set with a highly sensitive receiver. This is to make interception difficult for the enemy as the set is used mainly in forward aereas.
Weight of the set is 29 lbs. + Satchels Signals 5 lbs. Total 34 lbs.

The set is designed for easy gas decontamination, the canvas face cover and webbing equipment being easy removable.

There is no send/receive switch on the set itself, this function being performed by the pressel switch on "microphone hand No.4". For bad weather conditions the set may be tuned in and the flaps closed, leaving only the microphone and receivers protruding, thus protecting the face of the set. For operating under gas attack a socket is provided for "microphone respirator No.1 or 2", send/receiver switching done by "microphone hand No.4". For C.W. operating, "key and plug assembly No.8" is used which incorporates a send/receive switch. The key is strapped to the operator's knee.

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Wireless Set 19

The WS 19 is designed as a complete station for use in A.F.V.'s and trucks 8 cwt and 15 cwt. as a vehicle and also as a ground station. The WS 19 is made up of 3 main circuits:
1- Set "A" gives communication between H.Q.'s of troops squadrons, regiments and brigades in armoured divisions and other formations.
2 - Set "B" gives communications between tank and tank or vehicle and vehicle not more than 1000 yards apart.
3 - The "I.C." amplifier provides intercommunication between members of the crew of the vehicle, this facility is most important in tanks, because of the noisy conditions prevailing therein.

The best-known radio set is the Wireless Set 19 in several versions. The sets were manufactured in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia, however operation was almost the same, internal there are considerable differences. The set was developed for communication in tanks and AFV' s but was also fitted in other vehicles and used as ground station.

The 19 Set Mk I was designed to give armoured troops complete, speedy and reliable communications. It was developed at low priority up to 1940 by the Signals Experimental Establishment and by Pye Radio.

US build Mk II	Canadian build Mk III

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Wireless Set 19 High Power

Amplifier R.F. No.2
A 4 valve radio frequency amplifier for use in conjunction with the WS 19; built into a case similar to the WS 19. Amplifies the modulated R.F. carrier output of the WS 19 thus increasing the distances that can be worked between stations.
The "output" terminal of the amplifier is connected to a special tuning inductance ("aerial tuning inductance No.1") supplied with the equipment. This inductance replaces the WS 19 aerial variometer which on no account must be used with the amplifier. The tuning inductance is then connected to the aerial in a similar manner to the normal WS 19.
The "input" terminal of the amplifier is connected to the WS 19 aerial terminal "A". Send/receive switching is performed by the pressel switch on the "microphone hand No.7" as usual. A special connector between the WS 19 and amplifier feeds battery to the rotary transformer and connects a relay for the purpose of transferring the aerial to the WS 19 direct when receiving. When using C.W. this relays shorted by a switch on the Amplifier.

Amplifier C 19
The C 19 amplifier increases the working range of the WS 19 from 8 miles to approximately 35 miles on R/T, CW and MCW. However, the facilities provided by a complete 19 set station are still available by only turning off the amplifier.

British build Mk II with RF No.2

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Wireless Set 19 Mk II Australian

In 1941 Australia intended forming an armoured division using Australian made tanks and commenced conversion design of the British No.19 MkII to enable Australian production of wireless sets for the tanks, using locally available valves and components. Although the Australian production of the tank was abandoned and the British and U.S. tanks already had No.19 sets fitted, the Australian design continued and production commenced in 1943. In excess of 600 sets were produced by Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd. (A.W.A.) in Sidney. Since Australia paid greater attention to tropic proofing, the No.19 (Aust.) was often substituted in British and U.S. tanks. Like the British and North American No.19 the Australian version contained an "A" high frequency transmitter-receiver for longer distance communications, a "B" ultra-high frequency transmitter-receiver for short range inter-vehicle communications and an intercommunications amplifier for communications within the vehicle. Besides minor physical differences, the main electrical difference was to use one less intermediate (IF) valve and to incorporate an extra audio amplifier stage in the "A" set. However, interchangeability with the British and North American versions was not compromised during the conversion design.
The various versions of the No.19 stayed in Australian service until about the late 1950s or early 1960s.

The "A" set receiver is of a superhetrodyne design with an intermediate frequency (IF) of 455 Kc/s. The "B" set receiver is of a super-regenerative design. Number of valves, 9 for the "A" set, 4 for the "B" set and 2 for the intercommunications amplifier, a total of 15. The "A" set output valve is the ubiquitous 807.

Tony Bell Collection

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Wireless Set X20

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