Wireless Set No. 19

The Wireless Set No. 19 was a Second World War mobile radio transceiver designed for use by armoured troops of the British Army.

Specifications
The set was designed to allow HF communication between tanks.

Mk II and Mk III complete -
 * Dimensions (l × d × w):

Sender/receiver - ; supply unit -

Mk II complete - 86.25 lb
 * Weight:

Sender/receiver - 40.5 lb; supply unit - 28.5 lb; carrier no. 1 - 14.75 lb

Mk III complete - 88.25 lb

Sender/receiver - 40.5 lb; supply unit - 30.5 lb; carrier no. 1 - 14.75 lb


 * Frequency range: 'A' setting 2–8 MHz; 'B' setting 229–241 MHz. Master Oscillator controlled.
 * Modes: AM, MCW, CW.
 * VHF inter-tank communications
 * Crew intercom
 * Single dial receive and transmit tuning
 * "Flick" switch for rapid frequency change
 * RF output: 'A' setting 2.5–9 watts.
 * Range: 'A' set 10 miles; 'B' set 1000 yards (between moving vehicles).

History
The Wireless Set No. 19 was developed in 1940 by the British War Office's Signals Experimental Establishment and by Pye Radio. The Pye model was replaced with the MK II model in 1941, and the MK III model in 1942. The sets proved valuable for armoured fighting in the Western Desert.

In 1942, the No. 19 Mk II was produced in Canada by Northern Electric Co., Canadian Marconi Co. and RCA Victor. The British design was improved and interchangeability of components such as the valves, was instituted. A majority of Canadian sets used English/Cyrillic front panel lettering, the result of a Lend-Lease contract to the Soviet Red Army.

When the Larkspur VHF FM gear arrived in the 1950s, the No. 19's VHF ‘B’ setting was dropped. The Royal Armoured Corps No. 19 sets were replaced in the mid-1950s with the C12, which were subsequently replaced with the C13. An additional RF Amplifier added a range increase; up to 45 miles. The experimental Wireless Set No. 19 TH (built for the Dutch Army) increased frequency coverage up to 12 MHz.

Postwar, the Canadian No. 19 MK II and III was used in the Swedish and Italian Army, and some Canadian No. 19 MK III sets were used by the British Army. Today the Wireless Set No. 19 is collected, restored and operated by vintage amateur radio enthusiasts.