By Louis Meulstee (editor)

Amendments Series
Volume 1 No. 2 'From Type 65 to Wireless Sender No. 76'.
Cover and layout: Louis Meulstee.
Cover illustration: Wireless Sender No. 76.

The cover artwork and layout of this pamphlet was prepared with DTP Serif PagePlus X6,
using Arial, AvantGarde, Helvetica and Poppl-Laudatio fonts. Scanned illustrations and
photos were enhanced and prepared with Adobe Photoshop Elements.
The finished publication was directly converted into PDF format.

- First published 2022, Version 1.00, as a free to download print ready publication.
- This unchanged edition was adapted for Scribd™ in 2023 with the addition of a front cover and colophon.

© Louis Meulstee PA0PCR

Ottersum
The Netherlands
[email protected]
http://www.wftw.nl

About this publication.

Selected articles, previously published on the Wireless for the Warrior website, have now
been added to 'Scribd' for the interest of a broader audience.

The Amendments Series.

The WftW Amendment series is supplementary to the Wireless for the Warrior Volumes 1
to 4, providing minor corrections and newly found material related to the original topics on
British Army signal communication, primarily before the 1960s.
These can also be downloaded from www.wftw.nl, freely copied and distributed, but only
in their current form, preferably with mention this website.
Note that the page layout of the WftW series was setup with mirrored pages, primarily
intended for double sided (colour) printing, preferably on good quality class A paper.

Dec. 2022
Wireless for the Warrior - Volume 1 Vol. 1 Amendment No. 2 - 1
Volume 1 AMENDMENT No. 2
Date of issue: December 2022.

After the publication of ‘Wireless for the Warrior’ Volume 1 ‘Wireless Sets No. 1-88’, a small number of minor (typing) errors and incorrect
data was spotted. Corrections, additional photos and newly obtained information are published in ‘Volume 1 Amendments’.

From Type 65 to Wireless Sender No. 76. A survey.

This amendment is a follow up with new information and illustrations which were obtained after the publication (in 1995) of the original
chapter ‘Wireless Sender No. 76’ in WftW Volume 1, which should preferably be read along with these pages. Requirements for a powerful,
yet small airborne forces rear link transmitter, led to the adoption of a Royal Navy transmitter 5 G. The development from the Transmitter 5 G
to Wireless Sender No. 76 is described in some detail with illustrations and circuit diagrams. Basic information and a few illustrations were
taken from WftW Volume 1 to provide a better background for those not having access to it.
In literature, particularly user manuals and technical documentation, names of various items may vary, though as much as possible the most
common names were used. E.g. the modified Royal Navy 5 G was known as Sender Admiralty 5 G (Modified), Wireless Sender Type 5 G
(Modified), Wireless Sender 5 G (Adm) and Wireless Sender Admiralty 5 G - Modified.

Transmitter 5 G Wireless Sender Wireless Sender Wireless Sender Wireless Sender Wireless Sender
part of Type 65. 5 G (modified). 5 G (modified). No. X66. No. 76. Prototype. No. 76. Produc-
Prototype. Production version. tion version.

With the formation of British Airborne Forc- and a wide frequency coverage yet low con- gade. As the supplies of the original Royal
es in the early part of World War 2, the need sumption from accumulators. Navy Transmitter 5 G made available for
arose to maintain direct contact over relative- A Royal Navy transmitter 5 G, part of a Army use were very limited, and stations
ly long distances with the Airborne Division transportable beach and port parties set Ad- became lost during active operations, a func-
Headquarters, also known as ‘Base’, after miralty Type 65, was the most suitable for tionally similar transmitter was developed by
landing to report the advance. Long range this purpose but only available in a small SRDE in late 1942.
communication was also essential for main- quantity. Modified by Signals Research De- It is believed that the first development mod-
taining contact with supporting armies, BBC velopment Establishment, it was used as an el was Wireless Sender X66 (the only refer-
war correspondents, Public Relations and interim substitute for operation on 12V DC , ence to this are a few photos held in the
Phantom. These long range links, known as known as Wireless Sender 5 G (Adm), along Royal Signals Museum archives) evolving
‘Rear Link’, were maintained by detach- with Reception Set R109A. This rear link into Wireless Sender No. 76. Production of
ments of the Royal Corps of Signals, station was unofficially known as 65 Set, the No. 76 started early 1943, its first opera-
equipped with special wireless equipment. with reference to the original Adm. Type 65. tional use was during landing operations in
At the initial stages no existing Army wire- The first operational use of a 5 G (Modified)/ Sicily in July 1943.
less set would meet any of the requirements: R109A rear link was on the 12th of Novem- The R109 companion receiver was always an
lightweight yet robust, built to survive a drop ber 1942 at the taking of Bône airfield in A, B or C version which had an improved
by parachute, small, a long working range Algeria by the 3rd Battalion, Airborne Bri- performance on CW.

Excerpts from the book ‘Echoes From Arnhem’ by Lewis Golden, OBE.
‘…radio communication from brigade head- facilities; No. 65 sets permitted Morse trans- miles, a distance which had never been con-
quarters to parachute battalions hundreds of missions only, No. 22 sets could be tuned to templated for a brigade to battalion link. It
miles away was quite beyond the range of the a selected frequency; No. 65 sets were crys- was signals history in the making; and al-
sets which were already in use, namely No. tal controlled… it was a sudden and dramatic though the link was seldom easy to maintain,
22 sets which were not very reliable over change of equipment, but it had to comple- particularly as a result of fading and interfer-
distances over more than two or three miles. ment a sudden and a dramatic change in the ence during the hours of darkness, the bri-
The brigade signal section was therefore is- brigade’s role.’ gade staff recorded with much satisfaction
sued with No. 65 sets which consisted of a ‘Escorted by Spitfires, the 3rd Battalion force that the …. Brigade 65 wireless set was the
Royal Navy transmitter and a separate Army flew to Bône on 12th of November 1942 and only one in whole First Army to keep in
receiver. The old and the new had little in dropped at 0840 hours. There was no opposi- contact with Bône..’
common. No. 22 sets used rod aerials and tion. One of the two 65 sets was missing. (Pages 34-35-37).
transmitted ground waves which followed The surviving 65 set had suffered the discon-
the earth surface; but No. 65 sets used open nection of its loudspeaker…when communi- (This highly recommended book is sold out,
wire aerials which transmitted sky waves up cation was accomplished there was a great but still available at second hand sources,
to the ionosphere for reflection back to earth. sense of relief. This comparatively untried e.g. at Amazon.)
No. 22 sets had speech as well as Morse radio was working effectively over 280

Page 1 of 9. WftW Volume 1 AMENDMENT No. 2. ver 1 00. Dec. 2022.

Wireless for the Warrior - Volume 1 Vol. 1 Amendment No. 2 - 2
Royal Navy Transmitter 5 G
Transmitter 5 G was part of a Royal Navy Type 65 Fuses cover On/off
transportable beach and port parties communication set
switch
comprising a 5 G transmitter and B28 (CR100) receiver.
The station was powered from AC, either a 250W Blue AC input socket
Paxolin
Diamond generating set or available AC mains. The front panel
frequency coverage was 2.9 - 12MHz, covered in 6 oscil- AC input volt-
lator ranges and 3 plug-in coils. The RF output was 4-6W. Aerial
age selector terminal
Transmitting on frequencies above 6MHz was by dou- Osc. tuning
bling the crystal frequency in the RF power amplifier. Ae. current
neon bulb
CW keying was done in the cathode of the 807 RF output meter
valve. Considering the circuit diagram (below), the 6V6
oscillator valve was continuously on, radiating on the
crystal frequency. We may surmise that these Royal Navy Amp. tuning
nets were always operating in full duplex, allowing fast
break-in operation. Power was derived from a built-in AC Ae. tuning
power supply. A rotary switch fitted on the front panel Crystal
allowed the transmitter to be used on voltages between
110 and 250V at 50Hz. [It is possible, but not yet con- Osc. tuning
Key
firmed, that in a later version of the 5 G this switch was socket
replaced by an internally fitted AC voltage selector.]

DATA SUMMARY Transmitter 5 G

System: Morse CW only. Earth Oscillator
Range
Frequency coverage: 2.9 -12 MHz terminal switch
Power Supply: 110-250V AC 50Hz.
Weight: 21lb.
Size (inches): height 8 ¾, length 9 ½, width 11.
Valves: 6V6 crystal osc., ATS25 RF power amplifier. Transmitter 5 G front panel view

Circuit diagram of the original Royal Navy Transmitter 5 G.

Internal view of Transmitter 5 G. Note plug-in coil.

Top clip V2

Wiring diagram of Transmitter 5 G. Bottom view of Transmitter 5 G.

Page 2 of 9. WftW Volume 1 AMENDMENT No. 2 ver 1 00. Dec. 2022.

Wireless for the Warrior - Volume 1 Vol. 1 Amendment No. 2 - 3
Wireless Sender 5 G (Modified)
Receiver aerial Transmit/receive
terminal switch

12V socket Aerial terminal

Cover plate

On/off switch Aerial current meter

Cover plate
Aerial tuning

Amplifier tuning
Crystal Oscillator range
switch
Earth terminal
Morse key socket Oscillator tuning

Oscillator tuning
Morse Key and bulb
Plug Assembly
No. 2B; later
replaced by a Front panel Wireless Sender
No. 9A model. 5 G (modified) with function
of controls.

Plug-in coil unit

Oscillator tuning bulb

Transmit/receive
switch

12V DC input socket 12V-500V converter

List of main components Sender 5 G (Modified)

Page 3 of 9. WftW Volume 1 AMENDMENT No. 2 ver 1 00. Dec. 2022.

Wireless for the Warrior - Volume 1 Vol. 1 Amendment No. 1 - 4
The modification of the original Admiralty 5 G transmitter by SRDE
consisted principally of the removal of the AC power transformer DATA SUMMARY Wireless Sender 5 G (modified)
Purpose: Transmitter for rear link communication.
and rectifier components, fitting a 12V/500V DC rotary converter,
System: Morse CW only.
and a transmit/receive switch. Although in the trial models two Frequency coverage: 2-12 MHz in 6 oscillator ranges:
Paxolin plates covered the holes of not required items on the front 2-2.2, 2.2-2.6, 2.4-3.5, 3.5-4.8, 4.8-6.6 and 5.6-6.5MHz,
panel, in the production version new Paxolin front panel and chassis and 3 RF PA plug-in coils: 2-2.9, 2.9-5 and 5-12MHz.
were made. The original 2-pt AC socket was replaced by a 4-pt Crystal controlled: Plug-in socket fitted on the front panel.
socket and a receiver aerial terminal fitted. Most parts of the original Range: 250-300 miles, depending on conditions.
RF components were retained including the use of three plug-in coils, Aerial: 110ft wire aerial supported on two 12ft mast.
variable capacitors, valves and RF ammeter. The frequency coverage RF power output: 4-6W.
Power Supply: 12V accumulator providing 500V HT.
was extended down to 2MHz and the oscillator tuning neon bulb
Consumption: Stand-by 1A, key-up 4.9A, key down 7.1A.
replaced by a 6V bulb with a small loop over oscillator coil L1A. Weight: 23lb.
Size (inches): height 8 ¾, length 9 ½, width 11.
Valves: 6V6 crystal oscillator, ATS25 RF power amplifier, the latter
operating as a frequency doubler above 6.5MHz..

Top chassis view of Wireless Sender 5 G (modified).

Bottom chassis view of Sender 5 G (modified). Taking

into account that there were no mounting holes of e.g.
the former rectifier valve, a new chassis was made.

Line drawing showing of what is believed the pro-

duction version of the Wireless Sender 5 G (modi-
fied). The original 2-pt socket was replaced by a
standard Army 4-pt socket in addition to a new
Paxolin front panel.

Ground station range trials with a Wireless Sender

5 G (modified) and a R109A (Experimental s/n 1).
Note one of the 12ft support masts of the wire Aerial
110-ft No. 1 (left).

Page 4 of 9. WftW Volume 1 AMENDMENT No. 2 ver 1 00. Dec. 2022.

Wireless for the Warrior - Volume 1 Vol. 1 Amendment No. 2 - 5
Wireless Sender X66

Even before the first operational use of the modified Royal Navy 5 G
transmitter it was made clear that further supplies could no longer be
relied upon. In late 1942 development commenced at SRDE for a set with
similar features to meet the growing and urgent demand for rear link
communication at prospective airborne forces operations. This eventually
became Wireless Sender No. 76, via development model No. X66.

Photograph taken at SRDE of the

development model Wireless Sender
No. X 66 (right).

Rear link communication trials with an

experimental Wireless Sender No. X66
and prototype Reception Set R109A. The
latter embodied a modification replacing
AVC with RF gain control for CW recep-
tion (left).

The Morse key (in front on the grass)

was a Key and Plug Assembly No. 2B.

Close up view of Wireless Sender No.

X66. The electrical and mechanical parts
of this transmitter evolved into the Wire-
less Sender No. 76. This experimental
trial model did not have the added pro-
tective frame (right).

The built-in Morse key was omitted in

the later production model of the No. 76
Set. An external Key and Plug Assembly
No. 9A became standard issue (below).

Page 5 of 9. WftW Volume 1 AMENDMENT No. 2 ver 1 00. Dec. 2022.

Wireless for the Warrior - Volume 1 Vol. 1 Amendment No. 2 - 6
Wireless Sender No. 76

WS No. 76 in ‘Case
Carrying No. 16’.

Production version of Wireless Sender No. 76. Comprehensive

details can be found in WftW Volume 1.

DATA SUMMARY Wireless Sender No. 76

Purpose: Transmitter for rear link communication.
System: Morse CW only.
Frequency coverage: 2-12 MHz in 3 switched ranges:
2-3.5, 3.5-6 and 6-12MHz.
Crystal control: 6 crystals, selected by a switch.
Range: 250-300 miles, depending on conditions.
Aerial: 110ft wire aerial supported on two 12ft masts.
RF power output: 9W.
Power Supply: 12V accumulator providing 500V HT.
Consumption: Stand-by 1A, key-up 3.2A, key down 8.1A.
Weight: 30lb.
Size (inches): height 8 ¼, length 12, width 12 ¼.
Valves: ATS25 crystal oscillator, ATS25 RF power amplifier, the
Internal top chassis view of Wireless Sender No. 76 with latter operating as frequency doubler above 6.5MHz.
its metal enclosure detached. The associated Power
Supply No. 18 (left) was a separate unit which could be References
replaced by a Supply Unit Rectifier No. 14. There is no - Photographs courtesy Royal Signals Museum, Blandford
evidence that these AC powered units were ever used in Forum, U.K.
operational service. Note two spare valves . - Echoes from Arnhem, Lewis Golden, 1984, William Kimber,
isbn 9780718305215.
- Wireless for the Warrior, Vol. 1, Chapter WS 76, L.Meulstee,
1995, isbn 1898805 08 3.
- Wireless for the Warrior, Compendium 7, Key and Plug
Assemblies, L.Meulstee, June 2014, isbn 9789081927161.
- Wireless Sender type 5 G (Modified), Working instructions,
SRDE Pamphlet No. 366A, March 1943.
- Wireless Station Admiralty 5G in Hand-cart Wireless No. 1,
SRDE Pamphlet No. 414A, June 1943.
- Rear link glider station - Jungle station. (Wireless Sender 5 G
Modified and Reception Set R109 in truck 5 cwt, f.w.d.
Airborne), SRDE Pamphlet 368A, n.d.
- Rear link parachute station, Wireless Sender 5 G modified &
Reception Set R109C and Generator Pedal 70 watt. Packing
Instructions Container Type F, SRDE Pamphlet 427A, n.d.
- Animal Pack Wireless Station No. 76/R109 and Wireless
Station Adm 5G/R109, Fitting and loading instructions,
ZA25010, WO 935, July 1944.
- Provisional packing instructions for Airborne Signal
Equipment, SRDE Provisional Pamphlet No. 588A, Sep. 1945.
- Wireless Sender No. 76, Working instructions, ZA22702,
This was believed a prototype trial model of Wireless WO Code Nr. 1049, Feb. 1944.
Sender No. 76 with serial No. 4. The Morse key socket - EMER’s Telecommunications D450-D459, Wireless Sender
replaced the earth terminal, here fitted top right. The func- No. 76, Nov. 1944.
tion of the control at the left hand side of the P.A. tuning is - EMER’s Telecommunications D500-D504, Sender, Admiralty
unknown. The protective frame differs from the production 5 G (Modified), Jul. 1944.
version, though the holes for that can be spotted.

Page 6 of 9 WftW Volume 1 AMENDMENT No. 2 ver 1 00. Dec. 2022.

Wireless for the Warrior - Volume 1 Vol. 1 Amendment No. 2 - 7

Circuit diagram of Wireless Sender No. 76 with associated 12V DC

Power Supply No. 18 . Circuit diagram and list
of components Supply
Unit Rectifier No. 14.

List of components Wireless Sender No. 76 (above) and

Power Supply Unit No. 18 (right).

Page 7 of 9. WftW Volume 1 AMENDMENT No. 2. ver 1 00. Dec. 2022.

Wireless for the Warrior - Volume 1 Vol. 1 Amendment No. 2 - 8
WS 76/R209 station in Type ‘F’ container and Parachutist Kitbag.
‘Wireless Station No. 76/R209 Parachute’ in Container Type ‘F’. A WS 76/R209 rear link parachutist kitbag station was carried in
(1945). This rigid metal container was especially designed to house four loads: Transmitter, receiver and two 6V 40Ah batteries,
signal equipment; when packed the total weight should not have ex- along with accessories. The Kitbag Parachutist (also known as
ceeded 250lbs. Shown below was a complete minimum working station leg bag) was similar to an enlarged Army kitbag, but had a laced
with two 6V 40Ah batteries at the bottom, the WS 76 and R209 in two side and provided with leg straps. The all-in weight of the packed
separate positions above, all thoroughly padded. Wireless sets were kitbag should not exceed 60 lbs.
packed so that the initial impact tended to force the valves, vibrators,
etc. into the holder.

Wireless Sender No. 76 with

110ft wire aerial and folded
Case Carrying No. 16 packed
in parachutist kitbag (above).

WS No. 76 and R209 plus two 6V 40Ah batteries and station

accessories in the first container.

R209 receiver with station

accessories packed in parachutist kitbag (above).
A second ‘F’ Type container was loaded with two 6V 40Ah
batteries and a Charging Set Lightweight 80 Watt (above), or in
the projected (but never materialised) Charging Set Lightweight
40/60 Watt (below).

Wire Aerial 110-ft No. 1 was exclusively used with Adm 5 G

transmitter and Wireless Sender No. 76 rear link station. It was
erected between two 12-ft masts.

WS 76/R109 station in Trailer 10-cwt.

Wireless Sender No. 76 and R109 were placed in

a ‘Carriers Set Mounting No. 40’ (below).

Fitted in an airborne glider trailer 10-cwt. was rear link

station comprising Wireless Sender No. 76 and Recep-
tion Set R109 with Charging Set Lightweight 80 Watt.

Page 8 of 9. WftW Volume 1 AMENDMENT No. 2. ver 1 00. Dec. 2022.

Wireless for the Warrior - Volume 1 Vol. 1 Amendment No. 2 - 9
Wireless Station Adm 5 G (mod)/R109 in Handcart
Rear link Adm 5 G (modified)
and R109A wireless equip-
ment in the first handcart (left).

Rear link station second handcart

with accumulators and Charging
Set 300W Mk.I (right). Variations
were noted with a Charging Set
Lightweight 80 Watt in lieu.

Handcart No. 1 was provided primarily

for transport of wireless equipment dur-
ing beach landings. The equipment was
packed in waterproof bags No. 8 and No.
6 which rendered it immersion proof
during the landing. The station was car-
ried in two handcarts.

Handcart No. 1 Mk.IV and Mk. 5 (right) versions

were similar to the Mk.III (left), apart from having
different carrying handles, wheels and tyres.

Adm 5 G (mod)/R109 and WS 76/R109 animal pack stations.

A rear link animal pack station
was carried by two animals,
each carrying a top and two
side loads on an animal pack
saddle. Shown here is the first
load with a 5G (mod)/R109 or
WS76/R109. Not shown is the
second animal pack which
carried a charging set with
petrol and oil, and additional
batteries.

Adm 5 G/R109 animal pack station. WS No. 76/R109 animal pack station.

Adm 5 G (mod)/R109 station in Truck 5-cwt.

The positions of equipment in a rear link glider and jungle
station fitted in a Truck 5-cwt 4x4, airborne are shown left and
below. Unnecessary fixtures to the vehicle were removed in
order to reduce weight: the four lifting handles, two outer foot
rests behind the front wings, the two rear bumpers and the front
bumper was shortened to the width of the chassis supports.

The station could only be used at a halt or stationary for

erecting the Aerial 110-ft No. 1. It had therefore no rod aerial
base attached on the battery rack at the rear of the vehicle.

Page 9 of 9 WftW Volume 1 AMENDMENT No. 2 ver 1 00. Dec. 2022.