by AF4K

PAGE 6

The following are more memories of the activities that some were 
privileged to enjoy as members of the COMBINED CADET FORCE
(CCF) radio network, which was operated in the 5mhz range.

I trust you will enjoy reading them!

From Richard Sterry G4BLT
 = richard@waveg.demon.co.uk 

On Monday,  Nov 03  Ben,  106312.1035@CompuServe.COM  wrote:

] I have a pair of 88 sets, working but  just needing cleaning etc,
 
] 30 UKP the pair plus postage.

Ah, but what about the horrible brown dry cells to work 'em?

I remember the ones in our 88 sets in the school cadets (I was
conscripted) being so knackered that you could get out of radio range of
the other guy when you could still see him across the training grounds
at Aldershot! In fact, I reckon you'd have managed nearly as well by
shouting. They were antiquated things even then (late 60's), so they
must be real collector's items now.

Good luck

Rick

 Richard Sterry G4BLT
web site:   http://www.waveg.demon.co.uk/

(NOTE FROM BRY: I would LOVE To get some pictures of
88 sets for this web page!)

From: Martin Smyth = Mjsmyth01@aol.com
Date sent:        Thu, 13 Nov 1997
Subject:          CCF NET

I can't believe reading this site.  It's my past.

I was at Boston Grammar CCF in 1976 to 1978.

I went on National Net as it was called.  Our callsign was ONE. 
Yes we operated on the primary frequency of 5.330 with NIS
changes regularly.

(((NOTE: See 12 Set Pictured below - Bry)))

Here is a 62 set:

We of course also had the 88 sets and 31 sets.

This was the start of my radio career.

I then went into The Royal Corps of Signals as a Radio
Technician Apprentice.

I was the last course at Harogate Apprentice college to learn
valve theory and the C42.

I went on up the ranks, working on Clansman + other extra
special sneaky beaky stuff.

I came out in 89 and now work for Ericsson.

Many thanks to the CCF and those great valve radios for the
start of my radio career.

Maybe I even talked to some of you guys before. 

I now have a hobby of restoring these great old goldies, but
searching the net, looks like many people are more serious than
me.

regards

Martin Smyth   ( E-mail: Mjsmyth01@aol.com  )

Date sent:        Thu, 13 Nov 1997
From:             Richard Milewski 
To:               af4k@earthlink.net
Subject:          UK radio  pics

I have a few jpgs of a  R 1147A  aircraft receiver from WW2, Vid
caps made with a " SNAPPY ". If you want them let me know .

Rich M.

Here are Richard's R1147A pictures along with a 
bit of a description:

Date sent:  Sat, 15 Nov 1997
From:       Richard Milewski = cathlab@worldnet.att.net

Brian Carling wrote:
 
] OK RIch. I got pictures r1, r2, r5 and r6.jpg

The set is marked

      RECEIVER
   TYPE R 1147 A
 REF No 10 D / 13128
    A (crown) M
 Serial No 3306

It was originally sold in Phila. Pa during the late 1940's (
there was a receipt inside the case ). 

Thanks -  Rich

ALSO! Let's see if someone can help Richard 
with the following request for  information on 
getting this venerable military set  operational again:

Date sent:        Sat, 15 Nov 1997
From:             Richard Milewski  = cathlab@worldnet.att.net
To:               af4k@earthlink.net
Subject:          Re: UK radio  pics

Brian Carling wrote:
]
] Greetings Richard,
] Thank you for your kind note.
] 
] On 13 Nov 97 at 5:33, Richard wrote:
] 
]  I have a few jpgs of a  R 1147A  aircraft receiver from
]  WW2, Vid caps made with a " SNAPPY ". If you want them let
]  me know .
] 
] Yes, Rich, that would be EXCELLENT!
] Can you attach them to an e-mail and send to me?
] I would really love to postthem here and "liven up"
] the CCF Web Pages!
] 
] Thanks - Bry

Here are the attached the pics. 

Do you have any idea as to the operating voltages for this
type of set? I quess it is from some series of WW2 aircraft
radios. The tube line-up is 3- VR95, 1- VR 59, 1- VR 55,  2-
VR 56. I think the filements are 6 V but have no idea for the
B+ or if a screen voltage is also needed.I have been trying to
get this info on the net but have had no luck.

Please e-mail Rich with details if you can help:
Richard Milewski  = cathlab@worldnet.att.net

Date sent:        Sat, 15 Nov 1997
From:             Martin Swift  = martin.swift@virgin.net
Subject:          12 sender GIF etc

OK Bry, please find them attached, hope they arrive OK this
time.

Today I've been to a meeting at RAF Cosford to discuss future
plans for our ATC networks. We have been allocated a large
number of new freqs from 2MHz for cross-UK evening working in
the winter to 10 and 13MHz for an HF link to air cadet units
in Cyprus, plus additional VHF and UHF channels, and plans for
expanding the UHF datacomms network currently active in the
Bristol area. Common freqs for ATC/ACF/SCC working are also
available. 

I believe that there are press photos of my old Air Training
Corps radio stations from the late 60's / early 70's in the
history book at my old unit (West Bromwich)... 19sets and HROs
... must get hold of them and have them digitised too! And
I've still got photos of the station as it was in the
80's...RCA ET4336, KWM2A, GR410 and RA17 era. 

Would it be possible to add my email address to the bottom of
my input to your CCF info, page5, please...my mistake...didn't
put it on my original email. 

Regards,

Martin

(Yes, Martin - here it is for all to see on PAGE 6 and I will 
edit it in on PAGE 5 as well! - Bry)

Martin Swift  = martin.swift@virgin.net

Thanks for a great picture Martin!

And  also, here is the splendid picture of the 52 set that 
was recently sent in  by   Martin Swift = martin.swift@virgin.net

In this next photo, perhaps some of you will recognize the DIAL KNOB 
mechanism which is just like the ones used on the 19 set.

Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 14:18:16 -0800
From: Martin Swift  = martin.swift@virgin.net
 (Written to UK vintage radio group)

Hello All,

I have only just subscribed to this mailing list, (and new to the
Internet), so I thought an introduction might be in order...

I've been around radio for nearly thirty years now, initially as an SWL,
and as a cadet radio operator in the Air Cadets organisation...using 19
and 62 sets, a T1154 / R1155 station and in the early 70's, an HRO / Pye
100337 marine Tx set up. This is where the interest really started, in
those days Air Cadet radio was a little bit like amateur radio, but
without the exam ! As an instructor in the cadets, in the 80's, we used
an RCA ET4336 HF Tx, and RA17 Rx on the HF networks, followed by a
KWM2-A and 30L-1 linear. We also had a troublesome ex-RAF T1509 HF Tx,
with brittle wiring and an endless series of faults....

In my early twenties I joined what was then the Home Office Directorate
of Telecommunications, now privatised, starting as a vehicle installer,
then a radio systems installation technician, then installation manager,
and I'm now working in project engineering, mainly working on radio
systems for the Emergency Services, with one eye on PSRCP and TETRA !

My interest in vintage radio lies in the WW11 military era, the
collection comprises mainly of the Wireless Sets xx series, but with
some clandestine and forward area equipment in there as well. 

If there are any Larkspur collectors amongst you...I do have some
Larkspur series ancillaries, mainly A41 and A43 series stuff. If you let
me know what you need, I will see if I can help...always willing to swap
or barter !!

I'm looking forward to seeing what goes on here, and exchanging
information with you.

73 and season's greetings,
Martin,  G4NCE
martin.swift@virgin.net

From: Robin Bransbury = rb@dolby.com
Subject: WL and all that Jazz

99 here, Wellington College Crowthorne Berks '56-'63. Ran Royal Signals
CCF platoon from '61-'63.
T12 and R107(T). Watch that nasty control link on the '107, male pins
with around 350vdc on them, ouch!

Operated 19 set from home on the hollys mostly on WL as F99.

Good fun and highly educational.

Best, Robin Bransbury,
Dolby Labs Inc.
rb@dolby.com

Date: Tue, 2 Dec 1997
From: Roger Basford = Roger@g3vkm.demon.co.uk
Subject: Re: CCF Chaps

Brian Carling, G3XLQ = af4k@earthlink.net writes:

]Roger, thanks so much. I really enjoyed reading about your 
]adventures! I wil have to try that box-kite suspended wire aerial on 
]160m some time! Sounds like great fun.
]
]I hope to add some WS 68 and WS 62 pictures. Also any other pictures 
]that we can scrounge will be a great posterity for the information 
]age that is upon us.
]
]I am hoping to be in England next year and would like to go 
]boatanchor hunting with you, or G3UUR whilst there (grin!)
]
]I think dave is coming over here at Easter so if you need anything 
]from across the pond, let us know!
]
]If it's OK with you, your remarks will be added to the next edition 
]of the CCF Pages!

Bry,

By all means include it in your page. 

What I'd like to do is go back to my old DWS station from 1968 and dig
up their car park, as I mentioned earlier they buried a pile of gear
there! However, I don't think that would make me too popular!!

The only gear I still hanker after is a complete TCS-12 series station
but I guess that would be asking a lot (or at least a lot of money!)plus
I don't think it would fit in suitcase. (However I do have friends in
the Detroit area who'd ship it for me). No, mustn't!! The XYL would kill
me!

I'll keep an eye open for you around the rallies next year! I usually
try to get to a few, work permitting. 

All the best. 

Roger (G3VKM)

                  //////////////////////////////////
                  * e-mail Roger@g3vkm.demon.co.uk *
                  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Date: Tue, 2 Dec 1997
To: af4k@earthlink.net
From: Roger Basford = Roger@g3vkm.demon.co.uk
Subject: Re: CCF Chaps

Brian Carling, G3XLQ = af4k@earthlink.net  writes:
]Dear CCF Radio Enthusiasts,

]I had NO IDEA just how much EXCITEMENT this new web site would 
]attract!

]We have already had over THIRTY FIVE contributors, and MANY more 
]callers who have read the CCF pages in only a few weeks!!

]In case you are interested, here is the list of the fellows who have 
]contributed their ideas, memoirs and thoughts so far!!

Brian,

Many thanks for the circular. I've just been on the Web site and read
the latest offerings which were very enjoyable, obviously radio
nostalgia is a growth subject!

A few people mentioned the WS62, but I was suprised no-one mentioned
John's Radio in Batley who sold these by the ton. A bunch of us from
Nottingham bought a car-load of 62s there and used them for quite a
while on Top Band, despite the low output (about 1-2 Watts? IIRC) they
worked very well with a decent antenna. 

In '72 I worked over in Northern Ireland for Decca (see my previous
posting) and was based on the old Coastguard lookout on Tor Head, I had
my 62 Set along with me and the best 160m QSO I had was to G3XXF/P on
Alport Height in Derbyshire, also using a WS62, with both of us using
very long wires held up by the old Gibson Girl boxkites! Not bad for
daylight on 160, about 250 miles I think. I still have the kite and its
carrying case, althoughthe XYL has had to recover it in modern rip-stop
nylon! There was a mod for the WS62 (using the inverter transformer from
a Pye Vanguard) to allow replacement of the tiny dynamotor with a
transistorised PSU. 

I also saw a (heart-breaking!) incident involving 68 Sets whilst working
for Decca. I did a short trip on HMS Endurance down to the Antarctic in
1973. Whilst there we called at the BAS base at Stonington Island. They
were clearing the site of an old Nissen hut and this was full of 68s, I
think they burnt the lot!! I never saw another WS68 after this, were
they rare?

I hope to dig out a few pix for your collection, I have a couple that
might be of interest.

All the best,

Roger Basford, G3VKM 
                  //////////////////////////////////
                  * e-mail Roger@g3vkm.demon.co.uk *
                  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

        Bry Carling G3XLQ = af4k@earthlink.net
        Richard Hankins G7RVI = Richard.Hankins.3310463@nt.com
        David Gordon-Smith G3UUR = esdgs@eng.warwick.ac.uk
        Angus Graham G3TXL = woodtown@eurobell.co.uk
        Pete Morgan-Lucas G6WBJ = pjml@mail.nerc-swindon.ac.uk
        "Mike B." = mike@orack.demon.co.uk
        Roger Basford = Basford@g3vkm.demon.co.uk
        Philip Mellor G4BIK = bik@cix.compulink.co.uk
        Jerry Lefever GM4CAZ = jclefever@aol.com
        John Rabson G3PAI = word.factory@zetnet.co.uk
        Walt Davidson G3NYY = walt@dial.pipex.com
        James Dunnett G4RGA 
        Peter Day G3PHO = g3pho@aol.com
        Paul D Tomlinson = eethoml@eemercury.swan.ac.uk
        Charles Kenneth Haswell GM2CWL = ken.haswell@zetnet.co.uk
        Rex Atkins G0MWH = rex@g0mwh.demon.co.uk
        Stephen = Stephen@blacksheep.org
        Martin Davies G0HDB = Martin@amdavies.demon.co.uk
        Frank Erskine = frank@g3wte.demon.co.uk
        Gerry Kearns G4MYA = gerry@g4mya.demon.co.uk
        Keith Jillings G3OIT  = keithj@dircon.co.uk
        Keith Jillings(2) G3OIT = amen@earthling.net
        Steve Randall = steve@btinternet.com
        Andy Jackson G8JAC = ajackson@cellnet.co.uk
        Jack Ponton GM0RWU = jwp@chemeng.ed.ac.uk
        Chris G3TUX = G3TUX@aol.com
        Philip McCoy = dgnova@erols.com
        Trevor Day G3ZYY = trev@southwestuk.demon.co.uk
        John Livingston G4FDD  = jlivingston@cix.compulink.co.uk
        Ben Nock G4BXD  = G4BXD@compuserve.com
        Charles Brain G4GUO  = chbrain@dircon.co.uk
        Martin Swift G4NCE  = martin.swift@virgin.net
        Rick Sterry G4BLT = richard@waveg.demon.co.uk
        Ben  = 106312.1035@compuserve.com
        Anonymous CCF Op #1 = secret.operative@number.one
        Robin Bransbury = rb@dolby.com

Date: Mon, 1 Dec 1997

Dear CCF Radio Enthuiasts,

I had NO IDEA just how much EXCITEMENT this new web site would 
attract!

We have already had over THIRTY FIVE contributors, and MANY more 
callers who have read the CCFpages in only a few weeks!!

In case you are interested, here is the list of the fellows who have 
contributed their ideas, memoirs and thoughts so far!!

(Of course we hope to hear more from you too!)

CLICK BELOW to E-MAIL any of the lads!

Any corrections? Please mail to me!

Also, I hope you will remember to press the RELOAD or 
REFRESH button on your browser when visiting 
the web site at:

http://www.oocities.org/CapeCanaveral/Hall/8701/ham/ccfradio.htm

This way you will see the latest additions and comments.

You can e-mail your remarks into the uk-vintage-radio
e-mail list or just send them to me and I will add your comments!!

As always, please keep in touch, send me ANY SCANS OF PICTURES 
of old radios that you can, and I will add them to the pages for even 
MORE fun!

Best  regards to all of you, and once again, thank you so much for 
enriching my life with these wonderful memories of the old WWII 
military radio gear etc.

Brian Carling, AF4K / G3XLQ

P.S. ZOUNDS! I have just been contacted by G3WUW, Allan Papworth
after we lost contact fopr ten years or so! Hopefully we will soon get a 
write-up from him about his memoirs of the CCF Net days!!!
(4 January, 1998)

Date: Sun, 30 Nov 1997 
From: Anthony Stokes = anthony.stokes@btinternet.com
Subject: CCF Radio Network & Vintage Radio Memories Page

Hullo,
          I just came across your page about CCF radio etc, which I
found interesting - being a former operator of Brentwood School CCF
signals platoon ( then 20alpha callsign ) on the short wave nets during
1967 - 70 .
          Since those days I have been QRV with G3ZRH 1.8 - 1300 Mhz ;
but the round the clock  annual ccf stations' voice and morse contests
on HF were great fun, and a real challenge to make contacts at all
during night-time conditions when the foreighn QRM predominated !
           73 de anthony.stokes@btinternet.com          G3ZRH

((WELCOME ABOARD, Anthony! ))

Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997
From:  Anonymous CCF Op #1
Subject: update

"Eavesdropping" says that "National Data Net" is SITOR-A (boring!)

73s

Op #1

P.S. Please acknowledge satisfactory receipt of the blurb in previous
e-mail! Many thanks.

Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997
From: Anonymous CCF Op #1
Subject: The Usual!

Dear Bry,

Sorry for the delay!

[ YES. PLEASE DO give me the CCF freqs and the XMAS 
[ COMPETITION Information.

[I will be ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED To post and of COURSE, I will conceal 
[my source - grin!

The book *Eavesdropping on the British
Military*, Michael Cannon, Cara Press, Dublin (!!) covers the ACF/CCF
Nets pretty comprehensively, but your information is hot off the wire!

ACF/CCF "Christmas Cracker" Competition 6/7th December 1997

Results I'm told broadcast at 1200z on Christmas Day on the Calling
Channel. Honest! But how do they get them? All the schools must be
closed/eating Christmas Dinner! 

*DATA* Saturday only, 6th 1200--1259z
*CW*  Saturday, 6th 1300--1359z, Sunday 7th 0001--0100z
            (popular mode this!)
*SSB* Saturday, 6th 1400--2359, Sunday 7th 0100--1400z

Frequencies (all in kHz). USB only. N.B. Army Radios apparently transmit
2kHz L/F compared with the indicated frequency, which I always thought
was quoted as the frequency of the supressed carrier! So on an Army
Radio, if you set the indicated frequency to, for example, 5000kHz USB
any 'normal' radio will resolve it on 4998kHz! Don't ask me why!
Stations may use plus/minus 5kHz from the quoted frequencies to avoid
QRM, etc.

Ident/Freq     Mode
V  2130         CW
A  2275         AM (!)
W  2414        CW
O  2770         CW
X  3360         CW  *Calling Channel*
B  4029         SSB
P  4480         SSB  *Official Calling Channel*  but (seems) not used as
such!
Q  4953         CW  (Slow CW channel)
C  4972.4      SSB  
D  5330         SSB  *Previous Calling Channel* -- but (seems) only one
used!
Y  5345          Data  TEC (?)
E  6915          Mail Box Calling Channel
Z  7750          Data  One-to-One  (?)

Ever heard them in the US? 5MHz is a cracking good band. Much better
(imho) than 80m! Some of the stations have good antennas and run at
least 40W -- more if it's a Ham transceiver! They're often a doddle to
change to 'General Coverage' Transmit! 5MHz is often quiet here at
night, but I don't know the amount of traffic it carries in your part of
the world.

73s!!!

Anonymous CCF Operator #1

Date: Sat, 15 Nov 1997
From: Richard Milewski 
Subject: Re: UK radio  pics

Brian Carling wrote:
 
]] OK RIch. I got pictures r1, r2, r5 and r6.jpg

]] Did I miss something there at all? Or was that all of them?.....

Yes Brian that was all that I sent,edited out from the original pics
that I took.

The set is marked

	     RECEIVER
	  TYPE R 1147 A
	REF No 10 D / 13128
	   A (crown) M
	Serial No 3306

It was originally sold in Phila. Pa during the late 1940's ( there was a
receipt inside the case ).

Thanks
	Rich

More wonderful commentaries & photos coming soon!!

Please send YOURS in as soon as possible!

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