by AF4K

Despite rumours to the contrary, I have decided to keep this web site up!

PAGE 10

I trust you will enjoy reading them!

Wireless For the Warrior by PA0PCR, Louis Meulstee from the Netherlands. Mr. Meulstee has produced an excellent book about WW2 British Military Radios, and the history of British Military Radio in general

LARKSPUR: Wireless For The Warrior, Pictures Section, click here!

And now for some photos!

Date sent:        Tue, 27 Oct 1998
From:             M P Tidball E-Mail:  M.P.Tidball@cs.cf.ac.uk
Subject:          Re: Frequencies

On Thu, 22 Oct 1998, Brian Carling wrote:

[ I have no idea what you are talking about. I have dozens of 
[ different web pages on a wide variety of topics.
[ 
[ It would help if you could be more specific. WHICH web page mentions 
[ "ony 5 MHz?"
[ 
[ Thanks

I am sorry you have forgotten about me.

I am the one who pointed you in the direction of my website at:

which concerns my time in the Cadet Force Signals Section.

You have not passed on any comment about my site, despite my asking you to
do so on more than one occasion, so I'll try to forget about it.)

There are various references on your CCF memories pages to the 5 MHz band
being the only one open to cadets in the 1960s.

The modern National Net uses over 10 frequencies between 2 and 8 Mhz.

As for my mail about the sounds on your site, I am referring to those
sounds of the 1960s net - they are quite interesting and it would be nice
to have more.

Anyway, take care,

M

From:             Paul Beaumont   E-mail:  p.beaumont@ic.ac.uk
Subject:          Re: Old memories!
Date sent:        Fri, 30 Oct 1998

At 07:34 30/10/98 -0400, you wrote:
[Paul - is it OK if I post your comments on the CCF Web Site?
[
Hello Bry,
Please do! I am a Radio Officer with the Air Training Corps, 714
(Selhurst)Sqdn so a little 'inter service' cooperation would not go amiss.

I was involved in a nightex last night which ended up with 50% of our team
in the local casualty dept. Happily no damage but 0300Z this am a little
limiting to say the least. I made a point of securing all the radios prior
to departure in the ambulance though!

I have another tomorrow, but that is just night navigation.....no GPS! just
compass and map like the old days.

Cheers Bry, have a good one!
Paul

Date sent:        Sun, 08 Nov 1998 13:21:33 +0100
From:             Louis Meulstee 
Send reply to:    l.meulstee@wxs.nl
To:               af4k@earthlink.net
Subject:          CCF history

Dear Bry,

Read with great interest your CCF Radio Network website. Although I
never was in any CCF (we do not have these things here in The
Netherlands..) I still am interested in the activities of CCF
Communications. During one of my reseach sessions in The Royal Signals
Museum Historical Library (thanks Tim) I found some interesting pre-war
information on the Marlborough CCF Signal Section. I have already send
this to the present CCF Marlborough (G6EPM).
Would you be interested to receive this by e-mail so that others can
share?

Best wishes,

Louis Meulstee PA0PCR

Date sent:        Sun, 08 Nov 1998
From:             Louis Meulstee
E-mail:    l.meulstee@wxs.nl
Subject:          Re: CCF history

Brian Carling wrote:
 
[ Dear Louis,
[ Thank you so much for the e-mail. Yes, this is great news, and I
[ would really like to get a copy of the information, so that others
[ may see it!
 
[ 73 de G3XLQ, Bry
 

Dear Brian,

thank you for your quick response. I am pleased that I can share, I
never realised that this was to interest to others...

Several years ago, whilst searching for information on the Wireless Set
No. 13 (a rather obscure set of which I never found any proper technical
info, though Roger Pickard of the Royal Signals Museum has an empty
case) I came across some information on the history of the original
"inventor" of the British Infantry Battallion Manpack ("walkie-talkie")
set.
In this file some information was collected on this subject of which I
do not know its original source. It might very well came from the
Marlborough College, Peter, G6EPN, of the MC whom I contacted did not
know of this. However, the sentence "Ed" does mean that it was
previously published somewhere.
So expect to find not only info on the CCF, but also on other matters
relating to WS No. 13 and CCF Marlborough College.
Being quite a lot, I shall not post the info in a single e-mail, but try
to keep it exciting (CCF soap?) and will pass the rest in several items.


Louis PA0PCR



First some information from two members of CCF MC:

John Betjeman, 1920-25
I find it difficult to decide  whether I disliked compulsory games or
"volontary" Corps more. The Corps had these advantages over cricket-it
did not last so long and was less dangerous. Certainly the most awful
days were those when there was a Corps parade first and then games
afterwards. (Until September, 1945, in each week there was a short
parade of 3/4 hour in ordinary clothes after Hall and a long parade of 1
1/2 hours in uniform - Ed.)
I was lucky in my Corps career. Early in it, I decided to join the
Signal Section in order to avoid carrying a heavy rifle. By sheer long
service I rose to the rank of 2nd Lieutanant and thus had a higher rank
than any captains or prefects in my house. At camp, which I could not
avoid, the head of my house tried to have the tents commanded by house
ranks, so that I was put under one of my own L/Cpls. But the CO
over-ruled him on my appeal. This was my only success of any note in
Marlborough.


F.J.Babcock 1932-1937

My first memories of MC Signals are of enthusiasm of my form-master
A.R.Pepin for everything and for Signals in particular, and of Mrs Pepin
driving their MG, loaded with signalling gear, on field days.
That MC Signals became a byword between the wars was largely due to the
activity A.R.Pepin inspired, supported by the financial and
administrative resources of the Corps.
A.R.Pepin was always insistant that every posible means of communication
should be used. Thus messages often went across Court or on Memorial
Hall by tapping a finger on the nose; and on field days barbed wire
fences would be insulated and used as telephone lines.
The first "walkie-talkie" sets the British Army had were made by us,
used and tested on field days and then sold to a battallion for use in
Palestine Campaign of 1936.
Our success with the 5 metre manpack sets (VHF in those days) which we
designed, caused the Army to send a section of tanks down to Marlborough
and the signallers were given a whole holiday to demonstrate our
suggestions for communication on the move. We also were given a little
experience of the art of tank driving on the Bath Road

Date sent:        Fri, 13 Nov 1998 
From:             Secret Op #2
Subject:          Re: CCF Radio Web Site

(I was going to) let you have the new
freqs, but there seemed to be a screw-up from the MOD!   *ALL* the freqs
were about 8MHZ and were all with 20kHz of each other! As the cadets can
use +/-10kHz anyway it was bl**dy stupid.

I've now got all *the* new freqs. If someone else hasn't already posted
'em, do you want them?

It's very sad really and will 'touch' a load of people but many of the
old freqs have now gone.  Whiskey Lima, 4030kHz -- gone:  Tango Golf,
5972.5kHz -- gone.  These were *the* two most popular freqs --
especially Whiskey Lima. The only one left from the old days is Delta
Oscar -- 5330, which is still on the list! In my time, the other freqs
were either too high (7MHz) or too low (2MHz) to get much use -- apart
from competitions!  Even the old CW (wassat I hear you say!)  Whiskey
X-ray has gone. Remember "Uncle"?

Let us know if you want the list. The next "Activity Day" is 21/11/98. I
don't know yet if there's going to be a "Christmas Cracker"  competition
this year, but watch this space!

73 es ZZV de 40C

P.S.  Did you ever get any history on the National Nets?

Date sent:        Sat, 14 Nov 1998
From:             Louis Meulstee
Send reply to:    l.meulstee@wxs.nl

Brian,

thank for your positive reaction. I am pleased to contribute. You may
know that I am rather busy, not only with my job, but also on other
subjest such as writing the third Volume of Wireless for the Warrior,
which I hope to finish in a couple of years.
Attached to this history is an official report of technical issues of
the developments of the Marlborough College CCF signal section.

In addition to this history of which you will receive an update soon, I
have also CCF War Office manuals in which e.g. scales of stores are
provided. But I suppose you have these.

Best regards,

Louis PA0PCR

From:   Secret Op #2

The famous old freqs "Whiskey Lima" 4030kHz and "Tango Golf" 5972.5kHz
have been withdrawn!  The old CW channel "WX" 3360kHz has also gone!

      ++++++NEW CCF/ACF RADIO NETWORK FREQUENCIES++++++

 VOICE FREQS  -- USB ONLY (kHz)
2275  AM  (see note #4 below)
4445
4920
4922.5  (see note #3 below)
5330  **CALLING CHANNEL**

CW FREQS (kHz)
2415
2770
3850
3865
4955  SLOW CW

DATA FREQS (kHz)
5345  MAILBOX
6915  DATA
7100  ONE-to-ONE

NOTES

1) All freqs are +/- QRM

2) Equipment used actually 2kHz lower than indicated on set's read-out. 
Radio set for 5330kHz USB has 'carrier' on 5238kHz and will be 
'resolved' on this freq by conventional radios.

3) Voice freq 4922.5. We still wonder if this is a misprint and should 
be the old 4972.5 -- especially as it's only 2.5kHz HF of the previous freq 
and well within the +/-5kHz allowed! I've double checked -- but watch this 
space.

4) Although modes are quoted as frequency-specific, voice has been heard 
being used on Data/CW/AM freqs so may only be prioritized for 
indicated freqs.

******************* ENDS ***********************

[ Do you hear anyone on? What callsigns do you hear these days?

It's really sad Bry, but apart from the odd competition (twice a year?)
there is now virtually no activity. The last few years have (IMHO) seen
a dramatic fall in its usage. I think that it's part of the young
people/radio/Internet thing in general. I wonder what the average age of
your 'readers' is, eh!!!???! I can't speak for your side of the world,
but here I think that there's a bit of a crisis coming for Amateur Radio
and the young! Personally, I often wonder what would happen if I were 14
again. I doubt I would even give 'Radio' a second glance and be off
'round the world on my computer! What about you?

The best time for your readers (just what *do* you call 'em?) is to
listen at 13.00 and again at 14.00 (clock time) on 5328kHz (5330) on
Wednesdays and Saturdays and they might hear one or two of the very,
very few stations now active on the Net. During the last couple of weeks
I've only heard TWO of them and one of them is the Official Net Monitor
and the other is (I think) a PRONTO at one of the schools!

I'm told that there is an official 'Activity Day' on Saturday 21
November. People could try listening at those times -- or later in the
afternoon -- on the Calling Channel -- they might get lucky!

Competitions still appear to be popular, but most stations now seem to
be ACF and (IMHO) only a few schools seem to enter. 

[ Do you know any of their locations, or what equipment they use etc.?

I'll try and find out!

73 es ZZV de Secret Op. #2

Date sent:        Sat, 14 Nov 1998 
From:             Secret Op #2
Subject:          Re: CCF Radio Web Site

BTW I was just listening on 5331kHz and I heard TWO stations on!!!

One mentioned Christmas Cracker, so it must be on for this year. I'll
let you know!

73

SecretOp #2

Date sent:        Sun, 22 Nov 1998
From:             Louis Meulstee
E-mail:           l.meulstee@wxs.nl

Dear Brian,

More on Marlborough College. 

Regards,

Louis Meulstee PA0PCR


Until the 1930's, communication was by semaphore, lamp and field
telephonr, but with the arrival of lieut. (later Commander) A.R. Pepin
as Signals Officer, the section acquired a strong emphasis on radio
which survives to this day. Pepin and his cadets not only operated a
radio amateur station, they designed and built the first ever 'walkie
talkie' VHF radio sets, which were used by the Army, virtually
unaltered, in Palestine (he was awarded the OBE for his work in 1938).
Pepin also helped in creating the Inter-Schools Network, a Morse link of
a very high standard between about a dozen schools, spread throughout
the country. He demanded that every operator on this net should be able
to operate Morse at 20 wpm, and operating speeds were frequently nearer
30- faster than the average Regular Army operator today. Walkie-talkie
and Morse link were combined when a shot-by-shot commentary on the
Ashbourne Cup was relayed from Bisley to the schools involved, in the
late 30's. After the war, the Net was revived and greatly extended,
though this necessitated a change in standards and 'voice' is now used
more than Morse; about 120 schools now participate, and enhusiasm among
operators at most of them is as high as ever.

From:             Anthony Richards, GW4RYK
E-mail:           Forwyn@aol.com

Subj:	CCF nets
Date:	26/05/98

Hi, Bry !

Just spent an interesting few mins.looking thru the pages & Richard's
CCFarticles in partic., I quite agree that around 5 megs was really great, at
least in the '60s, for low power reliable comms & I used to radio wx reports
to Bracknell without fail from Ellesmere College, Shropshire, every morning,
usually on a 19 set to save stoking up the 12 tx. We also went on the Sunday
morning nets (Queen Easy ?) which were good fun & we could even work on those
with 18 sets sometimes ! 

We had a 12 tx / R107 setup, plus 2 or 3 19 sets, a 22, loads of 18s and 38s
(the Mk IIIs of these seemed very good, almost as good as 18s which always
worked well and were good fun) but the Mk I 38s were dreadful things, probably
due to old age mainly. We also had a few 88 sets but these weren't very good
as regards range, not a patch on 18 sets & being vhf were more or less line of
sight. Better for taking on bicycles, though !

73

Anthony, GW4RYK

Date sent:        Wed, 02 Dec 1998
From:             Rod Walsh
E-mail:           rwalsh@may.ie
Subject:          r1475

Hi Bry, I have a shot of the R-1475 if you would like to have it for your 
CCF pages
73 de Rod ei7df

[YES!! Please E-mail to - af4k@earthlink.net

From:             Martin
E-mail:           martin@g4grs.demon.co.uk
Subject:          CCF Net Tapes
Date sent:        Wed, 9 Dec 1998

Nostalgia Nostalgia !! Many an hour playing on 5.330 when I should have been
working, tut tut.
Memories of traipsing around Edgware Road in the Holidays looking for bits
to 'improve' the ubiquitous 19 set (e.g. mains PSU, 800 V ouch!)
I would have given my right arm for some of the kit Martin Lynch & the like
sell these days.

Anyway I have some tapes from the early to mid 1970ies, I shall sample them
and e-mail, unless you would prefer magnetic tape.

'73

Martin Williams

G4GRS (ex 50A a bloody long time ago)

From:             Bob Card
E-mail:           Bob@hobnail.freeserve.co.uk
Subject:          19 set 1943 RCA Victor
Date sent:        Wed, 14 Apr 1999

Hello Bry, I am new to this net stuff but here goes.
I was given my 19 set after a mate saw my cb gear.
I am determind to use said on the air so much so I have just competed my Novice B and applyed
for my licence I hope to get the A as soon as the morse reaches spead and quality. So I am on
my way to transmiting on the old devil. I have no info on the radio any thing would be welcome
where to get a  manual would be nice or any info. My novice call sign is due in the post any day. I have a 70cms rig to get me on the air.so soon I will wend my way through the ionosphere.

Bob

From:             Rod Beavon  G3PPR
E-mail:           rod.beavon@clara.net
Subject:          Your site
Date sent:        Fri, 16 Apr 1999

Dear Bry,

Looking for stuff on the AR88 I came across your site. A lot to read, and I
will have to do it later, but it was very interesting to see the pictures
particularly. Most impressive. You will get the drift of some of my interest
if you visit www.rod.beavon.clara.net but, as will be clear, the chemistry
rather over-rides everything else. I wonder if the 19 set, more than any
other single piece of gear, was responsible for nurturing radio amateurs in
the years until, I suppose, widespread SSB.

With all good wishes,

Yours sincerely,

Rod Beavon  G3PPR.

807! G3PPF's comical reminiscences of WW2 surplus radios and parts!

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