[ARC5] Development of radio during WWI (interception)

[Leslie Smith]

Hello list-members:
Kenneth Macksay's "The Searchers" is subtitled Radio Intercept in Two World Wars.  The book deals with the activity of the search, and organization of the various services, with a particular emphasis on the British service.  He documents a good number of significant successes of the services (for example the ability of the Brits to say that the German fleet had put to sea (or even was ABOUT to put to sea) ).  The book appears to be well researched, but the awkward (and at times convoluted) construction of the sentences take some concentration to extract the intention of the writer.

The book does NOT deal with technology or the development of technology - information about this subject is simply stated or assumed.    The book deals with the battlefield only to the extent necessary to understand the main subject of Radio Interception.  For example, the writer assumes the reader is aware of the signifance of the battle of Coral Sea, or the Battle of Midway.  I found this approach useful, and well balanced.

So, to summarize, the book is about the ACTIVITY of radio interception, and the process of decryption and dispersal of the messages obtained.  It describes the relative effectiveness of contrasting activities (tactical analysis vs decryption) in the war.      My copy of this book came from e-Bay.  I noticed several copies of the book for sale at the time I bought mine.  If you are looking for a book that deals with the technical aspects of Radio in war, this isn't your book.  If you are looking for a book that deals with the activity and organization of radio interception, I doubt you will find a more informative book.

Les Smith


> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kenneth G. Gordon" <kgordon2006 at verizon.net>
> To: Ian Wilson <ianmwilson73 at gmail.com>, "Discussion of AN/ARC-5 military radio equipment." <arc5 at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [ARC5] Development of radio during WWI
> Date: Sun, 19 Sep 2010 09:56:51 -0700
> 
> 
> On 19 Sep 2010 at 7:52, Ian Wilson wrote:
> 
> > I know this is somewhat off topic but it seemed like a good list to ask.
> > I am preparing a short speech on some radio-related topic. It occurred to
> > me that the changes in use and equipment during WW I must have been
> > tremendous, and this would make a good speech topic.
> >
> > I thought there might have been some history in the early (1936) Radio
> > Handbook
> > that I have, but there is no mention of the period. I guess it was distant
> > past - in
> > radio terms - by then.
> >
> > Any (on-line) references to this topic that the list members could
> > recommend?
> 
> Ian:
> 
> In the latest issue of the AWA tome/collection of articles that they
> offer once a year, there is a very detailed article on the use of
> radio for artillary spotting in WWI with ample detail for a good
> speech. Full details (probably too many) on the BC-14. :-)
> 
> If that is not available on-line (go to the AWA website and look in
> their archives: they sometimes post entire articles there), I will be
> happy to copy what I have here and mail it to you.
> 
> Ken Gordon W7EKB
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