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Old 05-01-17, 23:49
Bruce Parker (RIP) Bruce Parker (RIP) is offline
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Default Wireless of the Week - week 47

In the context of WW2 Commonwealth wireless, control units are very much related to Wireless Sets No.19, however they represented a completely different way of looking at operating radio sets and one that has persisted in military radio design even until today.

Early war sets typically had their microphones, earphones or headsets plug into the radio itself with rare exceptions, usually to enable remote operation. The 19 set design looked at things differently primarily because it was a tank radio and each particular tank required its own unique installation. Additionally, if four or five tank crewmen each had their headsets plugged into the face of a radio set things would get tangled pretty quickly.

The solution was to connect the radio to special junction boxes that controlled not only the set’s operation but those boxes could be located in convenient locations that best served the crew. The cables connecting the individual units could be securely fastened to the vehicle itself out of harm’s way. Each control unit also had switches that only allowed the right crew member to talk on the right set (short range B set or longer range A set), intercom or ‘rebroadcasting’ from one set to the other. This prevented awkward moments when, say, the tank’s driver may say unfortunate things about the Major thinking he was speaking on the vehicle’s intercom but in actuality was transmitting over the battalion net right back the said Major.

The first set of Control Units featured here are Control Units No.1 Mk.II, Control Units No.2 Mk.II and Junction Distribution No.3. These three comprise the typical units in tanks and armoured cars. The No. 1 could be switched between A, B and Intercom only, the No.2, usually operated by the vehicle’s wireless operator, allowed switching between ‘Normal’ and ‘Rebroadcast’ such that he could send over the A set and have it heard on the B, vice versa or on both. The Junction Distribution No.3 (picture 2) located near the driver and bow gunner was only able to operate ‘Intercom’ and the push button was a buzzer that was heard in the other crew member’s headsets. This buzzer indicated the driver had something to say and the rest of the crew then had to switch their control units to ‘Intercom’ the hear it. The connections between the set and control units to the Junction Distribution unit were through the vehicle’s turret rotary junction box.

Shown next is a Control Unit No.3A Mk.II. It is a paired unit combining the No.1 and No.2 units into one single control box. This configuration did exactly the same job as the separate units but was typically used in less active environments such as in radio vans or static ground stations.

The third set of units, No.16 and No.17 and another Junction Distribution No.3 is similar to the first set and again for tank use but has additional capabilities to switch to the tank/infantry No.38 AFV radio when installed. Later and post war control units were produced linking 19 sets to postwar sets like the No.31AFV and Larkspur No.42.

Last is a Junctions Remote Control No.1. This unit had male and female snatch plugs and was basically inserted between a regular control unit and the operator’s headset. On the front of the unit were two terminal posts allowing wire connections to a remote Junctions Remote No.2 that could be located up to a mile away. The remote operator could then transmit over the near No.19 wireless set through the apparatus, and the green light on the No.1 unit would light up indicating when he was doing so. This configuration operated similar to remote control units but with less equipment and fuss.

The various types of 19 set control units typically have backing plates that were fastened to a vehicle or wireless table, and covers with the connections and wiring that could be easily removed for servicing, cleaning or replacement. Many had printed markings or water transfer decals as a war economy measure.
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Last edited by Bruce Parker (RIP); 07-01-17 at 02:42.
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Old 08-01-17, 14:35
benamucke benamucke is offline
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Default No 6 Mk II

WS38 to WS19
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