(Louis Meulstee's web site)

Volume 3

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!