(Louis Meulstee's web site)
Condensed DATA on British Army Reception Sets.
Click to the set number to see a picture of the receiver.
Only a few photographs are available at present, more will be added soon.
In this page condensed technical data and pictures (where available) are provided of most of the British Army receivers
(also known as 'Reception Sets'), used in the period between 1938 and about 1960.
Note that the quality of some of the pictures is not optimal.
When available, better quality photos will be posted, this could take some time.
For an overview of the pictures in this page see also the Reception Sets Image Directory section.
Reception Set R100A-E was a general purpose LF/HF receiver. Frequency coverage: 16kHz-25MHz covered with five range units. AM R/T and CW.
Powered from 12V DC
Reception Set R101 was a general purpose HF receiver, mainly intended used with Wireless Sender No. 5.
Frequency coverage: 150kHz-22MHz. AM R/T and CW.
The receiver was a commercial development and manufactured by Eddystone. The R101 is powered from A/C mains or DC.
Reception Set R102 was a LF receiver, exclusively developed for use with Wireless Sender No. 5 HP. Frequency coverage: 180-620kHz. AM R/T and CW.
It replaced Reception Set R101 in part. Powered from AC mains or DC.
Reception Set R103 was a staff car and general purpose HF listening set. Frequency coverage: 1.7-7.5MHz. AM R/T and CW.
The set was replaced by R103A. Powered from 12V DC
Reception Set R103A was a general purpose HF portable/mobile listening set. Frequency coverage: 1.7-7.5MHz. AM R/T and CW.
It was superseded by R109. Powered from AC mains or 6V DC.
Reception Set Cdn R103 Mk.I was a staff car receiver developed in Canada.
Frequency coverage 1-16 MHz. AM R/T and CW. Powered from 6V DC.
Reception Set R104 was a commercial HF DF Adcock receiver and also known as Marconi DFG12. Frequency coverage: 1.5-20MHz.
Reception Set R105 was a HF receiver for a Gun Sound Radio Link. Frequency coverage: 7.5-8.5MHz.
It was later replaced by SR Radio Link Mk.II Powered from 12V DC.
Reception Set R106 was a HF general purpose/intercept receiver. Frequency coverage: 50kHz-30MHz. AM R/T and CW. Also known as National HRO.
Powered from AC mains or 6V DC.
Reception Set R107 was a general purpose HF receiver. Frequency coverage: 1.2-17.5 MHz. AM R/T and CW.
Powered from AC mains or 12V DC.
Reception Set R108 was an high grade HF intercept receiver. It was later re designated R206.
Reception Set R109 was a general purpose portable HF receiver. Frequency coverage: 1.8-8.5 MHz. AM R/T and CW.
Powered from 6V DC.
Reception Set R109A was a general purpose portable HF receiver. Frequency coverage: 2-12 MHz.
There is no AVC incorporated, and intended primarily for CW reception only. Powered from 6V DC
Reception Set R109B was a general purpose portable HF receiver. Frequency coverage: 2.5-12 MHz.
There is no AVC incorporated, and intended primarily for CW reception only. Powered from 6V DC
Reception Set R109C was a general purpose portable HF receiver. Frequency coverage: 1.8-8.5 MHz.
There is no AVC incorporated, and intended primarily for CW reception only. Powered from 6V DC
Reception Set R110 was a VHF receiver developed use with Wireless Sender No. 36 Frequency coverage: 20-60 MHz.
Replaced by R208. AM R/T and CW. Powered from AC mains or 6V DC.
Reception Set R201 was a HF receiver developed for reception of high-speed telegraphy. Frequency coverage:1.48-22MHz.
Triple diversity reception. AM R/T and CW. Powered by AC mains only.
Reception Set R202 was a general purpose MF receiver. Frequency coverage: 100kHz-2.6MHz. MF version of R209.
AM R/T and CW. Powered from 6V DC. Abandoned.
Reception Set R206 Mk.1 was a high grade intercept HF receiver. Frequency coverage: 550kHz-30MHz.
Adaptor Frequency Range No. 1 extends frequency coverage with 600-50kHz. AM R/T and CW. Powered from AC mains/ or 12V DC
Reception Set R206 Mk.2 was a high grade HF intercept receiver and a replacement of the Mk. 1 version.
Frequency coverage: 550kHz-30MHz. Adaptor Frequency Range No. 1 extends frequency coverage with 600-50kHz. AM R/T and CW. Powered from AC mains/ or 12V DC
Reception Set R208 was a VHF receiver and primarily used with Wireless Sender No. 36. Frequency coverage: 10-60MHz.
AM R/T and CW. Powered from AC mains or 6V DC
Reception Set R209 was a general purpose portable HF receiver. Frequency coverage: 1-20MHz. Replacement for R107/109.
CW, AM and FM R/T. Powered from 6V DC. (Picture courtesy Keith Watt RGN MRCN G4MSF)
Reception Set R209 Mk.2 was a general purpose portable HF receiver. Frequency coverage: 1-20MHz. Later production of R209 Mk.1.
CW, AM and FM R/T. Powered from 12V DC.(Picture courtesy Keith Watt RGN MRCN G4MSF)
Reception Set R209/2/B was a general purpose portable HF receiver. Frequency coverage: 1-20MHz. Later production of R209 with DC/AC mains power supply.
CW, AM and FM R/T. Powered from 12V, 24V DC or AC mains.
Reception Set R210 was a general purpose HF receiver, primarily used with Station Radio C11 of the Larkspur range of equipment.
Frequency coverage: 2-16MHz. AM R/T and CW. Powered from 24V DC or AC mains with additional supply unit.
Reception Set R211 was a high grade HF receiver for fixed service. Frequency coverage: 1.5-30MHz. R/T SSB and DSB, CW.
Triple space diversity.
Reception Set R212 was a high grade HF receiver for fixed service. Frequency coverage: 4-25MHz. R/T SSB and DSB, CW.
Triple space diversity.
Reception Set R213 was a general purpose VHF receiver, principally used for interception. Frequency coverage: 19-165MHz.
Manufactured by Eddystone and military version of type 770R. CW, AM and FM R/T. Powered from AC mains or external supply unit.
Reception Set R216 was a general purpose VHF receiver, mainly used for interception and monitoring.
Frequency coverage: 20-155MHz. AM and FM R/T and CW. Powered from AC mains or 24V DC.
Reception Set R217 was a high grade HF telegraph receiver and used for static installations. Frequency coverage: 3-27.5MHz. FSK, MCW or CW.
Normally used with transmitter E11.
Reception Set R218 was a high grade LF receiver for fixed stations.
It was normally used aside with R219. Frequency coverage: 13-680kHz.
Reception Set R219 was a high grade HF receiver for fixed stations. Frequency coverage: 0.36-36MHz. AM R/T, CW, CFS.
Reception Set R220 was a VHF receiver used with AA Command. Frequency coverage: 70-95MHz. AM R/T only.
Intended for use with Transmitter Radio C44. Crystal controlled.
Reception Set R221 was a VHF airborne receiver for control of AA practice target pilotless aircraft. Frequency coverage: 68-80MHz.
Crystal control. Powered from dry batteries.
Reception Set R222 was a wide band VHF FM receiver for use wit Transmitter Radio C41. Frequency coverage: 50-100MHz.
Crystal controlled. Powered from AC mains.
Reception Set R226 was UHF receiver, intended for point to point communication used by AA command. Frequency coverage: 230-300MHz.
AM R/T only. Crystal control. Abandoned.
Reception Set R230 was a HF SSB receiver. Frequency coverage: 2.1-27MHz. R/T SSB and DSB, CW, FSK.
It was normally used wit Transmitter Radio D11. Powered from AC mains. Marconi HR27 adopted for Army use. Replaced by R234.
Reception Set R231 was a HF SSB receiver. Frequency coverage: 2.1-27MHz. R/T SSB and DSB, CW, FSK.
Normally associated with Transmitter Radio D11 and D13. Set comprises two receivers; one receiver only is R234. Powered from AC mains.
Dual diversity. Army version of Marconi HR28. Designation abandoned and known as R234(2)
Reception Set R234 was a HF SSB receiver, principally half a R231. No dual diversity feature.
Reception Set R235 was a high grade triple diversity HF receiver for strategic networks. Frequency coverage: 3-27MHz.
R/T SSB and DSB, CW. Army version of Marconi HR23.
Reception Set R236 (also known as Receiver Radio R236) was the receiver unit of a VHF/UHF radio relay set Station Radio C50/R236.
Frequency coverage 225-400MHz. Crystal controlled. Wide band FM for FDM and TDM/PCM operation.
Reception Set R308 was a VHF Intercept receiver. Frequency coverage: 20MHz-145MHz. Superseded by R216.
CW, AM and FM R/T. Powered from AC mains or 12V DC.
Reception Set R337 was a HF receiver for AA gun stations. Frequency coverage: 19-25MHz. AM R/T only. Dry battery powered.
Reception Set R408 was a VHF single channel receiver and part of Wireless Set No. 57. Frequency coverage: 85-95MHz.
Crystal controlled. Powered by AC mains or 12V DC.
Reception Set R1100 was a HF receiver used with artillery observation. Frequency coverage: 1.2-1.54MHz and 2-3MHz.
AM R/T and CW. Air Ministry receiver adopted by the Army. Powered by dry batteries.
Reception Set R1132 was an Air Ministry VHF ground receiver adopted for use in the Army. Frequency coverage: 100-124 MHz.
AM R/T and CW. Powered from AC mains or 6V DC.
Reception Set R1294 was an Air Ministry UHF receiver adopted by the Army. Frequency coverage: 500-3000MHz. AM R/T and CW.
Powered from AC mains or 6V DC.
Reception Set R1359 was an Air Ministry VHF receiver adopted for use in the Army. Frequency coverage: 130-520MHz.
AM R/T and CW. Powered from AC mains or 6V DC.
Reception Set CR100/2 was a high grade HF receiver primarily used for fixed services. Frequency coverage: 60kHz-30MHz.
AM R/T and CW. Several versions are known. Powered from AC mains or 6V DC.
Reception Set UHF special was an early VHF intercept receiver. Frequency coverage: 27-130MHz. AM R/T and CW.
Powered from AC mains or 6V DC.
Reception Set DST100 was a high grade HF intercept receiver. Frequency coverage: 50kHz-30MHz. AM R/T and CW. Powered from AC mains only.
Reception Set MCR1 was a miniature receiver for special purposes. Frequency coverage: 150kHz-15MHz.
AM R/T and CW. Powered by a dry battery pack or AC/DC mains unit.
Receiver Radio Type 301 also known as Mk. 301 was a miniature receiver for special purposes. Frequency coverage: 500kHz-18.5MHz.
AM R/T and CW. Powered by dry batteries or AC mains unit.
Receiver Radio 328R also known as Mk. 328 was a transistorised miniature receiver for special purposes. Frequency coverage: 2.5-30MHz.
AM R/T and CW. Powered by dry batteries.
Receiver DFG12 was a HF Adcock type DF receiver.
Frequency coverage 1.5 to 20MHz. AM R/T and CW. Powered by 6V DC. This DF set was initially designated R104.
Receiver DFG24/4 was a HF Adcock type DF receiver with visual presentation of bearings.
Frequency coverage 1.5 to 20MHz. AM R/T and CW. Powered by AC mains.
Receiver DFG26/5 was a HF Adcock type DF receiver with visual presentation of bearings.
Frequency coverage 1.5 to 20MHz. AM R/T and CW. Powered by AC mains.
Receiver DFP4 was a portable MF DF receiver for use in the field.
Frequency coverage 75-3333kHz. AM R/T and CW. Powered by batteries.
Receiver DFP5 was a portable VHF DF receiver for use in the field.
Frequency coverage 30-300MHz. AM R/T and CW. Powered by 6V DC.
Reception Set Eddystone 358 was a HF receiver, used by the Army in small quantities.
Frequency coverage 40kHz to 31MHz using plug-in coil units. AM R/T and CW. Powered by separate AC mains or DC power pack.
Reception Set Eddystone 730/4 was a general purpose communication receiver.
Frequency coverage: 480kHz to 30 MHz. AM R/T and CW. Powered by AC mains or via a separate supply unit.
Reception Set RG35 was a general purpose MF receiver, used for rebroadcast.
Frequency coverage 100kHz to 3MHz. AM R/T and CW. Powered by AC mains or 6V DC.
Reception Set RG42C was a general purpose receiver, principally used with Wireless Set No. 16.
Frequency coverage 750kHz to 13.5MHz. AM R/T and CW. Powered by 6V DC.
Reception Set RC 67 was a high grade HF receiver, used for triple diversity reception in the Army Wireless Chain.
Frequency coverage:3-24MHz. AM R/T and high speed CW. Powered from AC mains.
Reception Set RS 5E was a commercial HF receiver, used only as an interim. Frequency coverage 150kHz-25MHz.
AM R/T and CW. Powered by a separate 12V supply unit.
Reception Set PCR was a forces welfare receiver.
Frequency coverage: LW, MW and short-wave 5.5-18MHz.
There are three versions, the initial PCR (also known as PCR1) and later PCR 2 and PCR 3 which have no internal loudspeaker and a different frequency range.
The receiver is powered by a separate mains Supply Unit Rectifier No. 17 or 12V DC Supply Unit Vibratory No. 8
Reception Set Canadian VRL was a general purpose communication receiver manufactured in Canada.
Frequency range 1.4-28 MHz. AM R/T and CW. Powered by 115V AC mains.
Reception Set AR-88 was a high grade HF communication receiver, manufactured in the USA and Canada.
Frequency range 525kHz-32MHz (AR-88D) or 73kHz-30.5MHz (AR88LF). AM R/T and CW. Powered by AC mains or separate 6V DC.
Reception Set No. 1 (Aust.) was an intercept and general purpose communication receiver developed in Australia.
Frequency range 138kHz-25 MHz. Powered by AC mains or 12V DC from a separate supply unit.
Reception Set No. 4 (Aust.) was a general purpose communication receiver developed in Australia.
Frequency range 1.2-20MHz. Powered by AC mains or 6V DC.
Reception Set No. 8C (Aust.) was a communication receiver developed in Australia.
It was principally intended for use with Wireless Set No. 153.
Frequency range 1.85-26MHz. Powered by AC mains or 12V DC.
Radio Receiver Model RBZ was a portable receiver, manufactured in the USA.
Frequency coverage 2-5.8MHz, believed is that on a limited scale a modified version covering 5-13 MHz was used in England.
AM R/T only. Powered by dry batteries. Photo: Keith Watt
Reception Set AEW1 (NZ) was an Army entertainment receiver developed in New Zealand.
It was also known as Type B No.1. Frequency range 560-1500kHz and 6-24MHz. Powered by 6V DC.
Reception Set BP412 was an Army listening receiver used by Combined Operations.
Frequency range 1.4-4.2MHz. Powered by dry batteries.
Reception Set BP413 was an Army listening receiver used by Combined Operations.
Frequency range 1.4-4.2MHz. Powered by dry batteries.
Reception Set BV611/612 was an Army listening receiver.
Frequency range 200-500kHz. Powered by 6V DC.
Reception Set BV613 was an Army welfare receiver, developed from the BV612.
Frequency range 500-1500kHz. Powered by 6V DC.
Extensive technical details, comprehensive development history, circuit diagrams, alignment procedures, accessories lists,
literature and references, vehicle installation drawings and many,
many pictures will be found in 'Wireless for the Warrior' Volume 3: "Reception Sets"
