Wireless of the Week - week 36

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

The Wireless Set No.53 is another one of those monsters I’d think twice about owning even if one turned up, which is unlikely because they are quite scarce. It was originally designated Wireless Set No.43 however the Canadian No.43 was a little faster getting into service and retained that number instead.

Developed in 1944 from the earlier High Power No.12 and No.33 sets, The No.53 was more correctly a sender that was used in conjunction with a standalone Reception Set R107. It was a medium powered, long range set operated most commonly in armoured command vehicles and 60 cwt ‘Command, High Power’ wireless lorries. The set with its supply unit was 57” tall, 26-1/2” wide, 29” deep and weighed 600 lbs. Its frequency range was 1.2 to 17.5 MHz in five ranges and it could transmit up to 100 miles voice and 500 miles CW. Power requirement was 210 to 250V AC and 12V DC supplied by vehicle mounted generators. An Aerial Coupling No.2A mounted on the top of the set matched it to typical British aerial equipment such as 16 foot F Sections and 34’ Telescopic masts. Remote operation was possible using Remote Control Units H No.1 (local unit) and No.2 (remote unit).

No.53 sets were used in rear areas going forward only as far as divisional headquarters. It was also used post war with the R209 reception set replacing the R107.