My radio has to go. The problem is that this one doesn't receive any programmes from after about 1945. It's all big bands and flamboyant orchestra leaders. Any time now, I'm expecting to hear that allied forces have established a beach-head in northern france, and are advancing under heavy fire.
It's a british military PCR No. 1.
From PYE radio's website: "War-time employees of Pye Ltd are quite certain that the equipment was intended as an "Invasion Receiver", that is, a general purpose, portable communications receiver (hence the type designation PCR) , for use in Europe by the British 2nd Army after the D-Day Normandy landings, to receive military progress and information broadcasts as part of Operation Overlord, as the various divisions moved across Europe. The term "Broadcast" has a different meaning in the Military, compared to domestic radio communications, and this may have given rise to the popular myth that the design was originally intended for the reception of domestic broadcast signals. Recent information from British Armed Service personnel indicates that the set was also supplied by the RAF to Resistance Groups in Norway, Holland and France. This is confirmed by the Dutch Royal Corps of Signals Verbindingsdienst web site. It was also later used by the British Army during the Korean war.
Dutch Military Radio Museum says :
"Radio receiver PCR - 1.
Was used during World War II by resistance groups to receive messages about the dropping of weapons, agents etc."
Dutch Military Radio Museum says :
"Radio receiver PCR - 1.
Was used during World War II by resistance groups to receive messages about the dropping of weapons, agents etc."
I'll probably bung it on ebay and hope for the best.
What a shame that you have to part with it...but sometimes, one has to be brutal! I'm sure you won't have any problem finding an interested party...it surely is a collector's piece.
ReplyDeleteAnd if it's still giving out those broadcasts...it'll worth a mint! ;)
You've probably missed my query that I posted on your Walt Whitman post, so I've copied it here again...only because if you've not read "This Is My Beloved", I feel sure you will like it, if you can find it somewhere.
ReplyDeleteQuote: " Have you read "This Is My Beloved" by Walter Benton? It is truly wonderful. It was first published in 1943. I have an LP with the late Laurence Harvey narrating it...it's very moving; emotional; personal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Benton_%28poet%29 "
End Quote
I just read it. It's a bit steamy in places is it not? And ends sadly. Found the whole thing on a blog.
ReplyDeleteStop press:Glenn Miller missing!
Yes...I guess it could be described as "a bit steamy".
ReplyDeleteIt kind of hits the spot...the love shared between the narrator and his Lillian...the passion...and the love lost.
Most of us have been there...once or twice (and some even more) in our lives. Well, I know I have....
Ohhh I LIKE that radio ..... maybe you could tuck it into one of the book boxes ....
ReplyDeleteAs for the poetry .... ummm ..errr... it's a generational thing I think. Not my cup of tea but probably pretty good to another.
xxx
Great radio, collectors and museums might like this. Better programmes back then.
ReplyDeleteRDG: What if I bring it, and we get a message that an R.A.F. Lysander is coming in tonight, we have to light a flare-path for it to land, and hide two radio-operators and a couple of boxes of explosives in our barn until Thierry and the boys can come down out of the mountains to collect them? And what if the germans come, all shouty and kicking down of doors, and steal our wine and two chickens?
ReplyDeleteWhat then, I ask?
If we get caught with a resistance radio, we could be in big trouble.
Glenn Miller's still missing.
My miniature german dachshund will keep our home safe from all marauders. He does regular and frequent border patrols. Plus his knowledge of german will aid him in negotiating with any shouty germans who might show up.
DeleteI've checked the local glens and the miller's store. Glen was not at either.
xxx
ps. Adullamite has the right idea.
If ever you find yourself in Chicago's O'Hare airport when your flight has been delayed for an extended period of time, or you are actually spending a night in Chicago for some other purpose, try to get over to neighboring Schaumburg, Illinois to the headquarters for Motorola and visit their museum. It's full of stuff like this, going back to the beginning of the company. The early pieces were not only functional but beautiful. It's a treat, and I suspect that you would enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteNever been near Chicago, but the Motorola museum would be guaranteed to be fun... All those early push-button car radios, 45 rpm dash-mounted record players. What fun!
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