Production

1942

Frequency range

7.4-9.2MHz

Transmitter RF output 

0.2W. R/T only

The WS38 Mk II was the standard lightweight British portable set for most of World War Two, with many thousands being produced.  It covered 7.3 to 9 mhz and had a range of up to 2 miles with a 12 ft sectional rod aerial but could also be used with a 4ft battle aerial. It worked on R/T only with a  power output of only 200mw.  It's main drawbacks were lack of tropicalisation and the conspicuous antenna which could draw fire when near enemy positions.

The battery was held in a separate satchel and a throat microphone was used. The set had 4 x ARP12 RF pentodes and 1 x ATP4 OP pentode valves, two doing dual duty on transmit and receive. The receiver is a superhet with 285 khz IF, with the oscillator doubling for both modes. A reflex circuit is used on the final receive valve to amplify both IF and audio with a Westector diode detector. Power requirements are 3v and 150v DC