G4NSJ – Military Radio Sets and Receivers

Military radio sets and receivers:

Military radio has been part of my life since my early teens, when I bought army surplus equipment from GWM Radio in Worthing. The 19 Set was my first proper transceiver, and I have owned and used many military sets and communications receivers since.

On these pages I describe the sets I have owned, the ones I still use, and a few I admired but never owned. Pick a heading below, or see the Site Directory for everything on the site.

Second World War wireless sets

The British Army's wartime sets were built to work in tanks, in vehicles and on a soldier's back. Many came onto the surplus market after the war and became popular with radio amateurs.

Wireless Set No 19. The famous tank set, developed by Pye in 1940. Three communication systems in one unit. Includes a video.
Another look at the WS 19 set. The 19 Set was my first proper transceiver. I owned several over the years, built power supplies for them and modified them. Includes a video.
Wireless Set No 18. The infantry set carried on a soldier's back, linking battalion headquarters with companies in the field.
Wireless Set No 22. A low powered set for infantry, artillery and mobile headquarters, covering 2 to 8MHz.
Wireless Set No 62. Pye's replacement for the 22 set, which served from the end of the war until the late 1960s, including Korea and Malaya.
Wireless Set No 52. A large Canadian-built station for brigade and division use. I built a 2,500 volt power supply for mine and wish I had never sold it.
Wireless Set No 12. A transmitter only, normally paired with the R107 receiver, for communications at divisional level.

Post-war military radio

Pye Wireless Set C12. Introduced in 1955 to replace the 19 set in armoured vehicles. A friend owned one, but I was never lucky enough to.
Reception Set R209/2/B. My army receiver, a Mullard design made under licence in Belgium, covering 1 to 20MHz. Strangely, it receives FM as well as AM. Includes a video and an audio message.
Clansman military radio equipment. My RT320, RT349, RT351 and RT352, with masts, a hand generator and many accessories. Includes a video and an audio message.
Clansman PCR-320 with external ATU. Why I use an external ATU with my end-fed aerial on the 5MHz frequencies. Includes a video.

Communications receivers

These valve receivers were built to pull in weak and distant signals. Most saw military service, and many found their way onto amateur and listener stations after the war.

Marconi CR100. I bought my first CR100 from GWM Radio in my early teens. My CR100/2 now has a product detector for SSB. Includes an audio message.
Marconi R1155 receiver. The receiver from the Lancaster bomber. I have had several, but I never really got on with them. Includes a video.
National HRO 5TA1, 5A1 communications receiver. The mystery of my HRO, a gift from Roy, G4WTV, and my work to find out which model it is. Includes a video.
RCA AR88D receiver. An American wartime receiver, many of which were sent to the UK and Russia. Mine weighs 98lbs. Includes two videos.
Eddystone 358X communications receiver. A British wartime receiver with plug-in coil packs for each band. Includes a video.
Eddystone 910/1. A rare 1960s Eddystone, built mainly for maritime use, with an unusual incremental tuning system. Includes a video.
Pye PCR receivers. Portable receivers developed from the 19 set, used by the British Army in Europe after D-Day. Includes a video.