Working with Wireless/Radio Equipment

[David Dunlop]

Harry Moon has taken the time to raise an interesting point on my 52-Set Project thread; I thought was worth expanding on in its own right.

Harry’s primary interest has been with restoration of military vehicles, to which the Wireless Set No. 19, along with a whole host of other military wireless sets and radios, are important accessories. As typically happens, the vehicle gets all the attention and becomes a working piece of history for all to admire, and the wireless kit associated with it, sits quietly doing nothing for the rest of its life.

I freely admit it. I was exactly the same way back in the early 1980’s when working on my WIRE-5 restoration. That was the only reason I bought my 19-Set Mk III and related kit: to complete the interior of the Wireless Truck. I was into the second year of the WIRE-5 Project staring at it out the window one January afternoon, the snow piled up to the doors. I was muttering because I could not work on the project and cursing the weather. Out of shear frustration I went downstairs and hauled out the 19-Set to have a closer look at it and at least read the manual about it. That got me thinking it might be a worthwhile winter task to work on this thing to fill in some time and I justified it back then as a simple bit of work going towards the overall WIRE-5 Project.

One of my friends was an Electronics/Radio Engineer, and also a local Amateur Radio member so I started picking his brain in order to wrap my head around this strange and scary 19-Set. This is where Harry’s current story comes into play. He is looking for somebody in his area to connect with regarding his Wireless Set No. 19, with a view, perhaps to getting it up and running. This is a fantastic first step and I applaud Harry for taking it.

I may raise a lot of eyebrows out there by saying this, but there is absolutely no difference at all about the theory and laws of electricity as applied to hunting down and fixing a problem hidden somewhere in the electrical system of a CMP, or any other military vehicle, and the theory and laws of electricity racing through the circuits of a wireless/radio set. A lot of different components, yes, but the same rules apply. If you have the patience to work your way to a solution with one, you can do it with the other. The key point here is that regardless of whether you are working on a Lynx Scout Car. Or a 19-Set, it is a great world when you can tap into other experts in the world to help you sort out problems. Just look what goes on here on MLU on a daily, if not hourly basis. If a problem cannot be sorted out directly, an alternate direction can often be provided to source the required answer.

In the Amateur radio world, these individuals you can contact are very highly regarded. In fact, if you are learning to get your Amateur Radio Licence, finding such a helper is very much encouraged and they are known as ‘Elmers’. My friend here in Winnipeg was mine and I use him frequently to bounce ideas off and for some testing help from time to time. So I hope Harry can connect with an Amateur in his area to assist him should he decide to dive into getting his 19-Set back up and running.

Yes, working on a wireless set is challenging. The biggest part of that is the fact the bits and pieces are so darned small. You do not have large runs of wire between the various bits. You do need good hand/eye coordination, but if you have the patience and discipline to completely disassemble a carburetor, fix and rebuild it, you can handle a wireless set. If your solution to fixing a mechanical problem on your CMP is to reach for a bigger hammer…maybe not.

The other great thing (oddly enough) about working on wireless equipment is the nice compact size. You can rebuild a complete 19-Set on a standard size desk in your house, any day of the year, in any weather. Try that with your favourite jeep. There is one ‘small’ caveat, however. Some wireless equipment can be heavy. Small and Heavy! 100 pounds plus heavy. Just ask Rob Love about the joys of man handling a CPP-2 Power Supply. Still very much appreciated, Rob, by the way.

So, I hope somebody turns up in your area, Harry. In the meantime, if you have questions, ask away.


David