Spy radio

[cletrac (RIP)]

Here's an interesting 'spy radio' that's on ebay in the States.
ebay link

[Bruce MacMillan]

There's a lot not right with it so I hope he doesn't have a high reserve.

Set has been modified, no power supply, none of the original coils and the morse key looks to be from a WS62. Suitcase has no provision for spares box so I don't think thats original either.

Still if the price is right it's a good starting point. A reasonably complete original set will go for $3000 - $8000

A friend of mine sold one this month for $1800 for just the transmitter/receiver in a drop case, nothing else. Still, the B2 is the classic SOE radio.

[cletrac (RIP)]

Here's a link to one at the cryptomuseum
They say the three latch suitcase was quite often changed to a two latch version to be less conspicuous.

[Mike K]

They were reasonably common here . Just after the war , the Wireless instutute of Australia bought a large number of them , I believe it was around 400 , and these were offered to ham radio operators . I have had three of them . What has always puzzled me is, why so many of these were sent out here . Did the SRC guys want them ? The WIA even published an article describing how to make a AM modulator for these sets

They are a neat set but rather nasty as there isn't a earth or ground for the power unit. If you connect the mains power the wrong way around, the whole chassis can become Live , dangerous stuff .

When I first came on air as a ham, a guy had two of these sets and he would come onto the 80 meter band on CW .

I sold mine years ago . I had the coils the key the whole kit and the dropping containers too.

The other common type was the type A mk 3 , which is smaller than the B 2 set . I had one of those too .

[Bruce MacMillan]

Some of the older hams here tell me about the good old days of buying surplus after the war. Some dealers had stacks of B2 sets that people would buy for a few shillings, throw away the radio and keep the nice suitcase.

Mind you still in the 1960s I bought my first 19 set, still in the crate, for $16.

The type A MK3 was certainly an improvement over the B2. Considering that the B2 weighed 30 lbs and many operators were women who were small in stature. It was reported that a member of the public could tell when the SOE trainees were carrying their radio during walk abouts on Baker Street as they leaned to one side.

The weight was also an issue with the suitcase itself. After a while the handles often separated like mine did.

[malcolm erik bogaert]

I had the ww2 Olga set made in Norway...in full working order..came with spare coils etc...sold it to a major collector in France who outbid the museum in Canada!busy working on a mint (museum quality Burndept wartime ground to air set..which formed part of an AIRBORNE TENTACLE..bonus is it came with all the carriers and straps etc... for mule transport...Im told on good authority (SAS Association) that MKalayan Scouts and earely SAAS used these postwar...happy xmas and good new year to all...malcolm in a very windy north-northumberland

[Little Jo]

[QUOTE=Mike Kelly;203810]They were reasonably common here . Just after the war , the Wireless instutute of Australia bought a large number of them , I believe it was around 400 , and these were offered to ham radio operators . I have had three of them .

Hi Mike

What is your call sign. Mine is VK5FTVR.

Cheers

Tony

[Mike K]

[QUOTE=Little Jo;203853]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

They were reasonably common here . Just after the war , the Wireless instutute of Australia bought a large number of them , I believe it was around 400 , and these were offered to ham radio operators . I have had three of them .

Hi Mike

What is your call sign. Mine is VK5FTVR.

Cheers

Tony

tony

I was a novice for 2 years then got a full call . I used a 122 set as a novice , mostly CW but sometimes AM

I am VK3CZ . Andrew T is VK5WT , you would know him.

You lucky man, you didn't have to do the Morse test.

[Little Jo]

[QUOTE=Mike Kelly;203856]

Originally Posted by Little Jo

tony

I was a novice for 2 years then got a full call . I used a 122 set as a novice , mostly CW but sometimes AM

I am VK3CZ . Andrew T is VK5WT , you would know him.

You lucky man, you didn't have to do the Morse test.

Hi Mike

The Morse Test put me off in the 1990's, I have a friend in his 90's VK5TG who loves Morse he was a radio operator in the RAAF in WW2, lovely guy. I checked my log book and I have worked a call sign VK3CZ called Mike on the 05/09/2014. I also worked a VK5CZ called Ian in the Clare Valley a few times. I have not yet worked or met. VK5WT called Andrew.

Catch you on the air sometime. I usually work 40 meters but signals are pretty bad this time of the year,

73

Tony

[Mike K]

[QUOTE=Little Jo;203862]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

Hi Mike

I checked my log book and I have worked a call sign VK3CZ called Mike on the 05/09/2014.
Tony

Tony that wasn't me I have not been on air for years . You have got me worried now

[Little Jo]

[QUOTE=Mike Kelly;203869]

Originally Posted by Little Jo

Tony that wasn't me I have not been on air for years . You have got me worried now

Hi Mike

Now that is very interesting, the time in my log is 1025 Hrs' on 05/09/2014. Maybe I worked a pirate. They are around I have been told so I will have to pay close attention when on air and if the call sign comes up again a few questions will be in order.

Cheers

Tony

[Tim Bell]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

The other common type was the type A mk 3 , which is smaller than the B 2 set . I had one of those too .

I have an A mk3 which came from Australia - it's been modified with an internal PSU (as far as I can tell) to work with either "Batt" or "Gen" according to the stencilling on the pull/push switch... so, no "Mains" power option. The mods look professionaly done - ie not a ham radio mod - but noone can tell me who and when - have approached the Australian War Memorial Museum, but noone there was able to advise.

Tim

[malcolm erik bogaert]

I have just been offered a mint condition 123 set from an old guy still in its original crate...seriel number suggests it was one of the postwar MI6 sets...the chap has no idea of value..what would a good offer for this set be,....any of the experts on this site any niotion of same!best regards malcolm

[Bruce MacMillan]

MI6 should put it above s/n 123500. Is it in the green canvas case or the blue box? What extras does it have?

There hasn't been much activity on sales of these recently. Past prices range from 200 - 700 quid depending on condition and what extras were included.

Some extras sold on ebay in the last month or two may give an idea of price. The earphone sold for 49 quid and a collection of accessories went for 150.

I think an honest fair offer would be in the 400-600 range. These sets haven't reached the pricing of B2 sets yet.

[malcolm erik bogaert]

last 3 on the s/n 485...greyish green colour but comes with all parts as issued...I have offered £500.00 cash and Im planning to visit him next week after the holiday to conclude the deal...many thanks for the reply best reghards from a windy and rainswept north-Northumberland malcolm

[Bruce MacMillan]

I hope he accepts it as these are becoming hard to find. Looking at the documentation online it would appear your s/n falls into the SAS range. My own ends in 894 which makes it a MI6 set.

How accurate the source is I'm not sure but the s/n's run as follows:
first 300 sets to Diplomatic Wireless Service
next 200 sets to SAS
last 485 sets to MI6

Having all the bits is a bonus.

[malcolm erik bogaert]

aye that's good news,.,.set is coming home then in a manner of speaking...Ive al;so been looking for sometime for the later set used in the sas vehicles but to date no luck...though I suspect would have to take a second mortage out to fund purchase of same....bought a lovely working halicrafter sky raider from a chap on ebay...was the only bidder £38.00 problem was he was in Anchorage...however Canada post were brilliant had it within the week at $100.00 time they were running post here! cheers and best regards malcolm

[malcolm erik bogaert]

well got up early this morning filled up the car with diesel and set off to the other side of the country to buy this MK123...when I got there chap had increased the price to double what we had agreed following advise from some know all in a museum down south....nice set..all parts there but I came home empty handed so will spend the money on a nice complete and working C11 for the rear of my landrover ffr 11a of 1964 regards Malcolm,

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by malcolm erik bogaert

well got up early this morning filled up the car with diesel and set off to the other side of the country to buy this MK123...when I got there chap had increased the price to double what we had agreed following advise from some know all in a museum down south....nice set..all parts there but I came home empty handed so will spend the money on a nice complete and working C11 for the rear of my landrover ffr 11a of 1964 regards Malcolm,

That's rotten luck

Every time I looked at my SOE wireless sets, I was reminded of the SOE wireless operators in Europe who were captured and then endured horrific torture in German run prisons . A typical method was pulling toenails out with pliers .. I am glad I don't have the SOE sets around .. too depressing

I have a couple of C13 Larkspur sets and most of the kit for them . If you ever come across a C13 ATU unit , please grab it.

[malcolm erik bogaert]

aye rotten luck indeed not to mention a wasted day and fuel and food costs..however it was a lovely drive through the virtualy empty roads of the Scottish borders from north-Northumberland to dumfrieshire...regarding the C13 atu...is rthat the one that sits on the top tray on set as opposed to front of vehickle cheers malcolm

[malcolm erik bogaert]

was following and bidding on a couple of sets on ebay uk...nice clean A13...went for £300 plus...also another C13 minus bottom mounting plate was up to £400 plus last time I looked...my mint and complete C134 was only £250. so bargains can still be had...now on the hunt for a A41 manpack and a good C42..one can hope...cheers Malcolm in remote north-northumberland

[malcolm erik bogaert]

just looked it fetched £650.00...incredible!cheers malcolm

[Bruce MacMillan]

A41 for auction right now.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wireless-S...item463af3dbda

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by malcolm erik bogaert

was following and bidding on a couple of sets on ebay uk...nice clean A13...went for £300 plus...also another C13 minus bottom mounting plate was up to £400 plus last time I looked...my mint and complete C134 was only £250. so bargains can still be had...now on the hunt for a A41 manpack and a good C42..one can hope...cheers Malcolm in remote north-northumberland

Those prices have my head spinning. The C42 sets were 10 bucks each at HaM RADIO SUPPLIES , an old shop in Highett street Richmond . IN THE EARLY 1980'S. tHEY HAD A BIG PILE OF THEM ON THE FLOOR .

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by malcolm erik bogaert

was following and bidding on a couple of sets on ebay uk...nice clean A13...went for £300 plus...also another C13 minus bottom mounting plate was up to £400 plus last time I looked...my mint and complete C134 was only £250. so bargains can still be had...now on the hunt for a A41 manpack and a good C42..one can hope...cheers Malcolm in remote north-northumberland

this may be of use


http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Military-...item5d58439641

[malcolm erik bogaert]

many thanks Mike..I missed that A41 but Im onto it now cheers malcolm

[malcolm erik bogaert]

incredible another C13 from the same source on ebay uk also fetched a staggering £650.00 GBP cheers malcolm