List of British Army Radio Sets and Equipment

The British Army has a long history of using radio sets to communicate on the battlefield. The No. 19 Set, introduced in 1941, was a major milestone in radio communication for the British Army.

The No. 19 Set was a wireless set used for voice communication, operating on a frequency of 18-21 MHz. It was widely used during World War II and remained in service until the 1950s.

The British Army's radio sets have evolved significantly over the years, with new technologies and designs being introduced to improve communication capabilities. The No. 19 Set was eventually replaced by more advanced radio sets, such as the No. 52 Set, which offered improved reliability and range.

For your interest: Wireless Set No. 19

The British Army has a rich history of radio communication, with various sets being used over the years. One of the earliest sets was the Wireless Set No.12, which was introduced in 1940 and had a frequency range of 1.2 - 17.5 MHz.

Explore further: Important Sets

This set was a transmitter, meaning it only sent signals, and it came in three variants: A1, A2, and A3. I've had the chance to read about this set, and it's fascinating to see how far radio technology has come.

The Wireless Set No.19 was another important set, introduced in 1941 and used as a transceiver. It covered two frequency ranges: 2 - 8 MHz and VHF 229-241 MHz. This set also came in three variants: A1, A2, and A3.

Here's a list of some of the key British Army radio sets:

The Wireless Set No.33 was another transmitter, introduced in 1941, which also had a frequency range of 1.2 - 17.5 MHz and came in three variants: A1, A2, and A3. This set was likely used in conjunction with other sets to provide communication coverage.

The British Army had a complex system of naming their radio sets, but it's actually quite logical once you get the hang of it. The early equipment was designated with letters and numbers indicating the transmitting power and intended use.

For example, British equipment for near-frontline use was designated with letters from A to M, with A being the lowest power and M the highest. This system was used until 1929, when a new nomenclature was introduced.

The new system used numbers to indicate the operating distance, with x1 for short distance and x6 for long distance. The first digit or prefix increased with each set generation, and new devices with incomplete development were preceded by X. This system was used from 1929 to 1976.

Here's a breakdown of the different types of units and their designations:

In 1976, the British units switched to a new nomenclature based on the American NATO classification, using UK/PRC-3xx for portable units and UK/VRC-3xx for vehicle and fixed stations.

The nomenclature of Wireless Sets in 1929/48 was a complex system, but it's actually quite interesting once you break it down.

The system introduced in 1929 assigned numbers to sets based on their intended use, with the first digit indicating the operating distance and the second digit indicating the type of unit or purpose.

Additional reading: North Atlantic Radio System

For example, Set No. 1 was for short-distance communications, while Set No. 6 was for worldwide connections.

With the introduction of new sets from 1930 onwards, the nomenclature changed to use a two-digit system, where the first digit increased with each set generation.

A successor unit list shows the progression of sets over time, with each new set building on the previous one.

Here's a breakdown of the nomenclature:

Canadian devices without identical British equivalents were given a designation with the prefix C, while Australian devices with identical British equivalents were given a prefix from the 100-group.

The British Clansman Series Nomenclature is a bit of a departure from the earlier systems, but it's still based on the same principles of clarity and consistency.

From 1976 onwards, the British units were given new designations based on the American NATO classification, which means that UK/PRC-3xx stands for portable units and UK/VRC-3xx for vehicle and fixed stations.

The Clansman series also saw the introduction of a new naming convention, where UK/VRC-3xx or UK/PRC-3xx was prefixed to the previous number from the Larkspur series for older equipment that continued to be used.

This allowed for a smoother transition to the new system, while also providing a clear indication of the equipment's capabilities and intended use.

If you're trying to identify a specific piece of equipment from the Clansman series, it's worth noting that the numbering system is based on the American NATO classification, with the first digit indicating the type of equipment (PRC for portable, VRC for vehicle and fixed stations).

For more insights, see: Clansman (military Radio)

The early days of military radio communications were marked by equipment designations that indicated the transmitting power, with some British equipment bearing designations that included a letter from A for near-frontline use in ascending order.

British equipment for rearward use, on the other hand, was denoted by the letter M, which stood for mobile stations.

The nomenclature of the earliest equipment was a reflection of its intended use and functionality.

Equipment for near-frontline use was assigned designations in ascending order, starting with A.

On a similar theme: Radio Equipment Directive (2022)

The British military has a long history of developing and using radio equipment for communication.

One of the earliest military radios was the W/T Set 120 Watt, a Continuous Wave (CW) Wireless Teletype set introduced in 1918.

In the 1920s, the British military introduced W/T Sets "A" and "C", also CW Wireless Teletype sets.

The Wireless Set No. 1 was a short-range radio developed in 1933.

Here's a list of some of the notable military radios developed by the British:

In the 1940s, the British military developed several new radio sets, including the Wireless Set No. 18, a manpack set used for short-range telephony and CW working in forward areas.

The Wireless Set No. 19 was a standard WW2 tank set, used in every theatre of operation, with a frequency range of 2-8 MHz and an AM or Morse Code mode.

The Wireless Set No. 21 was a static or vehicle-mounted transceiver with a frequency range of 4.2 to 7.5 MHz.

Broaden your view: Wireless Set No. 1

The Royal Signals are a branch of the British Army responsible for all aspects of communications, including radio sets. They're a vital part of the military's communication network.

The British Army has a long history of using radio sets for communication, dating back to the early 20th century. The first radio sets were introduced in World War I.

The No. 1 Set was a common radio set used by the British Army during World War I, it was a crystal-controlled set that used a Morse code key to transmit messages. It was relatively simple but effective.

The No. 11 Set was used during World War II, it was a more advanced set that used a frequency modulation (FM) system to improve signal quality. It was widely used by the British Army during the war.

The No. 12 Set was an improved version of the No. 11 Set, it had a more powerful transmitter and a longer range. It was used by the British Army during the late 1940s.

The No. 18 Set was a mobile radio set used by the British Army during the 1950s and 1960s, it was designed to be used in vehicles. It was a significant improvement over earlier sets in terms of mobility and range.

See what others are reading: Wireless Set Number 11