Wireless of the Week - week 48

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Along with manuals for the operation of individual radio sets and those for the operation of wireless communication systems, there were also manuals published for the correct installation of wireless sets in various vehicles. Three such Installation Instructions for the Wireless Set No.19 are presented this week: Cruiser Tank (Med M3) Canadian Ram I & II dated March 20, 1942, Universal Carrier (Ford-Canadian) dated July 10, 1942 and Truck and Ground Station dated October 1944.

Instructions for Installation were soft cover booklets 8” by 11” with about a dozen pages that provided step by step instructions for installing a wireless set in the vehicle being discussed. In the back were drawings that illustrated the installation, its components aerial systems and wiring. They were produced by the Department of National Defence in conjunction with wireless set manufacturers, these examples being Northern Electric Company for the Ram, Canadian Marconi Company for the Carrier and Philco for the vehicle and ground station.

These instructions were provided alone or as part of a crated wireless set and all its components made specifically for a particular vehicle. The Universal Carrier instructions came in a sealed envelope that also contained two fold out drawings and a brass wiring plate. These plates were produced for all 19 set armoured vehicle installations and were intended to be attached in the vehicle near the wireless set for handy reference.

These manuals provide an incredible resource for vehicle restorers as they provide precise information on the specific parts, wires and connectors required for their respective installations. Now if only there was a parts depot where one could demand all these bits new in the box.