Wireless Set No. 19

The Wireless Set No. 19 was a Second World War mobile radio transceiver designed for use by armoured troops of the British Army.

Designed for use in tanks and armoured vehicles, the radio provided three communication channels:

A high power version of the 19 set was also developed, allowing longer range use of the A set, liaising with primary command.

A series of control boxes and junction boxes provided distribution within the vehicle. Operator and commander could select the different sets. The driver was provided with a button to attract the commanders attention onto the IC. All three channels were mixed onto the headphones, allowing crew to monitor battlefield developments.

In normal use the three channels were mixed onto the IC for monitoring. The commander or operator could select the A or B sets to remove them from the IC and allow push-to-talk. A warning lamp would light if both were on the B set, leaving the A set uncontrolled. The other crew members could only use the IC. The driver's push button incorporated a buzzer, allowing the commander's attention to be brought back to the IC if a situation requiring his attention arose. Later control boxes allowed the commander or operator to rebroadcast A onto B or vice-versa for message relay. Command and link/relay vehicles had provision to operate two A sets, one of which could be a high-power variant.

Later in the war, the importance of co-operation with infantry added a Wireless Set No. 38 alongside, with new control boxes to operate both radios together. Initially the standard 38 set was used, but later the WS 38 AFV was developed specifically to compliment the 19 set.

The set was designed to allow HF communication between tanks.

       Mk II and Mk III complete - 27 × 10 × 13.25 in (68.6 × 25.4 × 33.7 cm)
          Sender/receiver - 17.5 × 8.25 × 12.25 in (44.5 × 21.0 × 31.1 cm); supply unit - 6 × 8.25 × 12.5 in (15.2 × 21.0 × 31.8 cm)

       Mk II complete - 86.25 lb (39.12 kg)
          Sender/receiver - 40.5 lb (18.4 kg); supply unit - 28.5 lb (12.9 kg); carrier no. 1 - 14.75 lb (6.69 kg)

       Mk III complete - 88.25 lb (40.03 kg)
          Sender/receiver - 40.5 lb (18.4 kg); supply unit - 30.5 lb (13.8 kg); carrier no. 1 - 14.75 lb (6.69 kg)

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