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.

[Jon Skagfeld]

I'm enjoying this thread of Bruce's wireless sets.

C'mon 52!

[Bruce MacMillan]

Great series Bruce.

The WS27 (Can) failed for the same reason the WS58 failed. They were designed by the same person who gave very little thought to wartime battery supply.

I believe there were under 1000 units made by Addison Industries in Toronto.

I've never seen that spares kit before. It almost looks like one for the WS58.
It must have two 1291 and six 1T4 tubes as they were the final production model. The original I think used 4 tubes.

The spares kit for mine uses the same case as the radio & battery. Tubes & coils fit in a felt holder that slides into the case.

They were never issued to the field but shortly after the set was cancelled Combined Operations wanted to buy 600 units. They liked the fact that it operated outside the typical military HF frequencies. Ottawa declined and they were sold off surplus.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Bruce, thanks for your input and pics. You're absolutely right!! That spares box is for a 58 set. I was fooled because it came with my 27 set and the real spares box was empty (I confess to having never removed the valves from the felt before...). That, plus the 58 spare valves were carried in the lid of the VPU and the 58 set manual doesn't show another spares box. In hindsight it does make sense because an operator would need spares if he was using only the 'battle battery'. I'll cover this in more detail when I do my segment on the 58.

I have updated the original post and replaced the pictures with correct ones.

Oh, and Jon...are you suggesting I do the 52 out of sequence? I was rather saving it for the end as it would make a spectacular 'grand finale'. Ah, what the heck, I'll bump it forward just for you.

Originally Posted by Bruce MacMillan

Great series Bruce.

The WS27 (Can) failed for the same reason the WS58 failed. They were designed by the same person who gave very little thought to wartime battery supply.

I believe there were under 1000 units made by Addison Industries in Toronto.

I've never seen that spares kit before. It almost looks like one for the WS58.
It must have two 1291 and six 1T4 tubes as they were the final production model. The original I think used 4 tubes.

The spares kit for mine uses the same case as the radio & battery. Tubes & coils fit in a felt holder that slides into the case.

They were never issued to the field but shortly after the set was cancelled Combined Operations wanted to buy 600 units. They liked the fact that it operated outside the typical military HF frequencies. Ottawa declined and they were sold off surplus.

[Johnny Canuck]

Interesting Set, surprising how Canadian Wireless sets advanced in leaps and bounds during WW2. Funny how lack of a battery would scuttle the whole effort.

Geoff

[Bruce MacMillan]

You would have thought that a radio design might take into account current production of a battery. For instance the WS18, 46, 48 & 68 all used the same battery. This was made by the tens of thousands and was in supply in most theatres of war.

The WS27 & 58 used unique voltages where the battery produced was a one of. When manufacturing capacity was maxed out after the US entered the war the lead time for a small run was excessive. By the time sufficient quantities were made the war was almost over and other radios had been adopted.

I agree the technology was good, in some cases better than what was available. The designer didn't look at the big picture.