Johnny Canuck
Battalion Commander
Wireless Sets for Canucks
Well most of us are familiar with the W.S. No.18 and 19 series of WW2 radios, but there are many other versions that are associated with the above units that are rarely covered. The Canadian Electronics industry really came into it's own during WW2 with Northern Electric, RCA, Philco and Marconi all making major advances in RT technology during the war years.
One of the things I have found difficult is finding infomation on installations vehicle, tanks etc, aerials, ground stations and the ancillary equipment used to actually make these sets work.
So I'll start with the Wireless Sets and then move on to some info on the bits.
W.S. No.18 British
General Description
The W.S. No.18 was the standard British Army man-pack radio set of WW2 for short range communication in forward areas between Battalion HQ and Company HQ. In Royal Artillery units it was used by Forward Observers to communicate with the infantry unit being supported.
First No.18 sets rolled off the production line of Pye in 1940 with total production of 76,000+ sets eventually produced.
The sets saw service in North Africa, ITO, PTO and ETO.
Frequency 6 - 9 MHz
R/T and CW.
Range
With an 11 foot rod aerial 10 miles Morse 5 miles Voice
With a 6 foot rod aerial 4 to 10 miles Morse 2 to 5 miles Voice
With a ground aerial 2 to 6 miles Morse 1 to 3 miles Voice
Aerials were the rod type about 12" long, with the spares carried on the exterior of the radio housing.
Weight of the set is 29 lbs. + Satchels Signals 5 lbs. Total 34 lbs.
As the war progressed other manufacturers produced copies or improved models of the W.S. No.18.
Wireless Set No. 48 USA
W.S. No.48 was a man pack transmitter receiver developed in about 1942.
Use: short range communication in forward areas within Infantry battalions and RA regiments.
Frequency 3.4-9.1 MHz
R/T and CW. MO control.
Range up to 10 miles.
USA development as an alternative to No. 18 Set.
Wireless Set No. 58 Cdn
W.S. No.58 was a man pack transceiver developed in 1943.
Use: short range communication in Infantry Battalion.
Frequency 6-9 MHz
R/T only.
Range up to 5 miles.
Canadian design as a replacement of No. 18 Set.
Wireless Set No. 68P British
W.S. No. 68P was a man pack transmitter/receiver developed in 1943 for Airborne Div, Para Bde, Comb Ops.
Use: short range communication in forward areas between Battalion HQ and Company HQ.
Frequency 1.75-2.9 MHz
R/T and CW.
Range up to 10 miles.
Set is similar to No. 18 Set but with different frequency range.
Wireless Set No. 68R
Wireless Set No. 68T
Same as above with a different Frequency 3-5.2 MHz
Wireless Set 108 Australian
The Wireless Set No.108 Australian was originally developed by Radio Corporation (Astor) in around 1940 and was the standard manpack set for providing communications between Battalion HQ and Company HQ. in forward areas during the Middle East campaign. By late 1941 the Mk.II version with a wider tuning range, had been introduced and remained the principal manpack until being replaced in 1946 by the Wireless Set No.128.
Frequency MkI 1940 8.5-8.9 Mhz
MkII 1941 6-9 MHz
MkIII 1943 2.5-3.5 MHz
Ranges up to 10 miles could be achieved using vertical antennas, the range largely depending on the type of country.
Ancillaries
Standard items with the above units could include Headphones, Hand microphone, throat microphone, morse key, a ground aerial with earth spike, Signals satchels, equipment spares and spare batteries.
W.S. No.18 Battle Battery Spare.
To be con't
JC
Well most of us are familiar with the W.S. No.18 and 19 series of WW2 radios, but there are many other versions that are associated with the above units that are rarely covered. The Canadian Electronics industry really came into it's own during WW2 with Northern Electric, RCA, Philco and Marconi all making major advances in RT technology during the war years.
One of the things I have found difficult is finding infomation on installations vehicle, tanks etc, aerials, ground stations and the ancillary equipment used to actually make these sets work.
So I'll start with the Wireless Sets and then move on to some info on the bits.
W.S. No.18 British
General Description
The W.S. No.18 was the standard British Army man-pack radio set of WW2 for short range communication in forward areas between Battalion HQ and Company HQ. In Royal Artillery units it was used by Forward Observers to communicate with the infantry unit being supported.
First No.18 sets rolled off the production line of Pye in 1940 with total production of 76,000+ sets eventually produced.
The sets saw service in North Africa, ITO, PTO and ETO.
Frequency 6 - 9 MHz
R/T and CW.
Range
With an 11 foot rod aerial 10 miles Morse 5 miles Voice
With a 6 foot rod aerial 4 to 10 miles Morse 2 to 5 miles Voice
With a ground aerial 2 to 6 miles Morse 1 to 3 miles Voice
Aerials were the rod type about 12" long, with the spares carried on the exterior of the radio housing.
Weight of the set is 29 lbs. + Satchels Signals 5 lbs. Total 34 lbs.
As the war progressed other manufacturers produced copies or improved models of the W.S. No.18.
Wireless Set No. 48 USA
W.S. No.48 was a man pack transmitter receiver developed in about 1942.
Use: short range communication in forward areas within Infantry battalions and RA regiments.
Frequency 3.4-9.1 MHz
R/T and CW. MO control.
Range up to 10 miles.
USA development as an alternative to No. 18 Set.
Wireless Set No. 58 Cdn
W.S. No.58 was a man pack transceiver developed in 1943.
Use: short range communication in Infantry Battalion.
Frequency 6-9 MHz
R/T only.
Range up to 5 miles.
Canadian design as a replacement of No. 18 Set.
Wireless Set No. 68P British
W.S. No. 68P was a man pack transmitter/receiver developed in 1943 for Airborne Div, Para Bde, Comb Ops.
Use: short range communication in forward areas between Battalion HQ and Company HQ.
Frequency 1.75-2.9 MHz
R/T and CW.
Range up to 10 miles.
Set is similar to No. 18 Set but with different frequency range.
Wireless Set No. 68R
Wireless Set No. 68T
Same as above with a different Frequency 3-5.2 MHz
Wireless Set 108 Australian
The Wireless Set No.108 Australian was originally developed by Radio Corporation (Astor) in around 1940 and was the standard manpack set for providing communications between Battalion HQ and Company HQ. in forward areas during the Middle East campaign. By late 1941 the Mk.II version with a wider tuning range, had been introduced and remained the principal manpack until being replaced in 1946 by the Wireless Set No.128.
Frequency MkI 1940 8.5-8.9 Mhz
MkII 1941 6-9 MHz
MkIII 1943 2.5-3.5 MHz
Ranges up to 10 miles could be achieved using vertical antennas, the range largely depending on the type of country.
Ancillaries
Standard items with the above units could include Headphones, Hand microphone, throat microphone, morse key, a ground aerial with earth spike, Signals satchels, equipment spares and spare batteries.
W.S. No.18 Battle Battery Spare.
To be con't
JC
