Wireless of the Week - week 3

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

This week is a little known Canadian hand held transceiver. The Wireless Set Canadian 27, made by Rogers-Majestic Ltd. in 1943 was a very small, waterproof set for short range R/T (voice) working in forward areas. There is little evidence these sets were used operationally and the serial numbers on surviving examples suggest there were few made.

The frequency range was from 21 to 39 Megahertz, however this was accomplished in four distinct bands by inserting a plug in coil for each band. The tuning control was graduated in 7 steps and, for the two lower coils, each available frequency could only be set on an odd number. The two higher coils allowed frequencies on all 7 graduations. To the operator things would go well so long as all the sets on the net had the same coil, and his job was simplified by not having to worry about what frequency in 'megacycles' he was actually on. Coils were carried in a spares box and were inserted into a socket inside the radio itself. Access was by unscrewing a butterfly nut on the bottom of the set, removing the lower cap and sliding the set from its case. The sender and receiver both tuned by way of the single tuning dial and there was no volume control. The on/off switch was actuated by the telescoping aerial. When the aerial was extended, the set was switched on. When netting in close quarters, the instructions say only the control station should have its aerial extend all the way and the remaining sets aerials should only be extended about 3" to actuate the 'on' switch.

The set was 10" by 2-1/2" by 3-1/2" and weighed 4 lbs. It's range was 1/2 mile. The battery provided H.T and L.T. voltages and was to be replaced if the voltages were less than 66 volts and 1.1 volts respectively.

The entire station consisted of the following: a transceiver with an American SCR-536 'walkie-talkie' style pressel switch, built in mic, 54" telescoping aerial and an adjustable web carrying strap; a battery box connected to the transceiver that had an earphone set attached to its lid and; a spares box resembling the battery box for the coils, spare valves and fuse. These last items were carried in a 'Satchel, Signals' slung over the operators shoulder or in battledress pockets.