(Louis Meulstee's web site)

Volume 3

The third Volume in the 'Wireless for the Warrior' series, entitled "Reception Sets", is devoted to receivers (in the British Army also known as Reception Sets) used in the British Army over the period 1932 to the 1960s. The contents of this Volume is principally concentrated on the R-100 to R-508 series, but many other receivers with different nomenclatures are dealt with.

The success formula of Volumes 1 and 2, a layout comprising a mix of highly technical details, circuit diagrams, technical specifications and alignment data in addition to technical development history, complete station lists and fitting instructions, will be maintained in this Volume. As in the previous Volumes, generally no operational histories will be given. These have been published in other books and are in some cases rather subjective.

The period limits as set in Volume 1 and 2 will be kept. Although the main bulk of receivers described in Volume 3 were developed just before and during World War 2, it was decided to add a selection of receivers which were commonly used in the British Army in the period 1945 up to the 1960s.

My own particular interest has always been the Reception Set R109, the first factory built receiver that I owned. In the early and mid-1950s this receiver, powered by a small 6 volt ex Army accumulator, accompanied me during many holiday vacations spent at the family allotment garden. Later in the very early 1960s the R109 was again used as main receiver (sometimes with a 2-metre band converter) and various home made transmitters at many amateur radio Field Days. I still own this receiver and though definitely not up today's standards (according to reports also not the standards of the late World War 2) it is still a pleasure to be able to listen to it from time to time. This explains possibly the nicer thing about receivers, no licence is required to operate them, making them working again is usually not such a big effort as the HT seldom exceeds 200 volts, and a simple wire as antenna will bring in loads of stations. Great fun!

In the table of progress above, the receiver type or model was given along with the status of work on each particular section. During the progress of writing (about three years) it proved invaluable for many people waiting eagerly for Volume 3 to be published.

- 'In progress' is indicated when a section is in the stage of writing, awaiting additional info or being revised.
- 'Done' means that the actual writing of this particular section is finalised and the draft text has been submitted for correction to my English friend John Taylor. After being ill for quite a while, John Taylor deceased summer 2001. Although we all knew that his illness was fatal, he himself had good hope and faith that with proper treatment he could live much longer and his sudden death came really as a shock to us. I personally think back to John as a good friend and a mentor guiding me through the mantraps of the English language.
- 'Finished' does mean that the material is about to be submitted or already has been send to the editor Geoff Arnold. He will do the final corrections and produce a nice layout!
- 'Proofs'of the layout have been received from the editor Geoff Arnold. This section is now ready to be printed!