History

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Inside Enigma
The Secrets of the Enigma Machine and other Historic Cipher Machines

By Prof. Tom Perera, W1TP & Dan Perera

Many have heard about the Enigma machines of WWII but few have an understanding of the history of these impressive machines, how they work or went on to be developed. This fully updated second edition of Inside Enigma provides in depth detail on how these machines worked and why the even though the codes proved breakable that developments of this machine remained in service for many years after the war finished.

Inside Enigma has been written by established Enigma experts Tom and Dan Perera of the enigmamuseum.com who's collection of Enigma machines have been used in Hollywood blockbusters such as the Imitation Game. This book brings to life how the Enigma machines were constructed, worked, used, how the messages were encoded and why the Enigma code was considered virtually unbreakable. You will find explanations of the code breaking efforts, the mathematics involved along with the Cold-War developments by the British, Americans and Russians. There is in depth detail of the machines used in this period, including the Swiss machines that were developed. The writers have also provided information on how to find your own Enigma machine and what can be involved in restoring one. If your efforts to find a machine fail, there are even guides to building your own or even making a simple code wheel to bring the code method to life. There is much else besides this included in Inside Enigma as it is both comprehensive and copiously illustrated.

If you want a book covering the secrets, theory and practice of the Enigma Machine in the 20th Century then Inside Enigma provides the ideal source.

Size 202 x 254mm, 208 pages, 2nd Edition, ISBN 9781 9101 9371 6

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Last Train to Hilversum
A journey in search of the magic of radio

by Charlie Connelly

This new hardback book reminds us about the wonders of radio. In the UK 90% of the adult population listens to broadcast radio every week. That is almost 49 million people listening for on average 21.3 hours a week each.

Written by Charlie Connelly a bestselling author and award-winning broadcaster the Last Train to Hilversum is a witty and informative look back over the years of British broadcast radio. Packed with anecdotes from the sublime to the ridiculous Charlie explores its geniuses, crackpots and charlatans who got us to where we are today. He remembers its voices, personalities, programmes and visits the key radio locations from history.

From the Dame Nellie Melba's first broadcast 1920 from Marconi in Chelmsford to amongst others the Derby Wireless Club, through to the first commentary on rugby from Twickenham where the summariser asked "Do they always use an oval ball?" and had no understanding of the rules of the game. There is even a chapter devoted to the SOS appeals made by the BBC from the 1920s to 1950s at the rate of a thousand a year, more fascinating might be the appeals not broadcast at the time including the rather unsavoury appeal offering a £5 reward for anyone 'to bring my wife home for a good hiding'. There is detail of the pirate radio stations, Radio 1, Test Match Special, the Today programme on Radio 4 and the solemn, rhythmic intonation of the shipping forecast - in many ways, our lives measured in kilohertz.

Part nostalgic eulogy, part social history, part travelogue, Last Train to Hilversum is simply a great read that explores our relationship with broadcast radio from its earliest days to the present. Recommended reading for everyone.

Size 153 x 234mm, 336 pages, ISBN: 9781 4088 8999 2

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The Voices
Spying and Radio Warfare During the Cold War

By Gordon Adams, G3LEQ

Many are aware of the spying activity that took place following WWII until the demise of the Soviet Union in 1991. Few though are aware of the radio jamming, broadcasts of encrypted messages or any of the other electronic skulduggery that took place during this time. This book shines a light on these activities that range from the extraordinary to the most mundane but most disruptive imaginable.

Readers of The Voices will find the details of the radio warfare engaged in the Americans, Soviets and British along with a number of other countries and groups from the Middle-East to the Caribbean. You will find details of the author's first experiences of radio jamming that lead to his deep fascination as to what was going happening on the airwaves at this time. There is discussion of the activities of propaganda stations such as Radio Marti, Radio Liberty, Radio Free Europe and many others. The mysterious Numbers Stations, their coded messages and the non-attributable callsigns are explained here. The author talks about where the spies operated from and the radio traffic they generated. There is a chapter on Orford Ness and the still secret Cobra Mist project along with a reflection of the role of Cyprus and the UK's Sovereign bases. There is even detail of the role of the BBC and their World Service during these times.

Produced as a tribute to the late, Gordon Adams, G3LEQ this book is based on series of articles first published in RadCom in 2000-2001 and a fond remembrance of someone whose tireless efforts influenced the RSGB for many years. This book has edited from those articles and expanded with new pictures and small amounts of material omitted from that series.

The Voices book is a truly eye-opening read for those who are unaware of this part of our history. It is simply thoroughly recommended reading for those interested in the Cold War and the radio warfare that took place in the latter part of the 20th Century.

ISBN: 9781 9101 9353 2 Size 174x240mm, 120 pages

This book is also available on Amazon Kindle click here for that version

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<span style='font-size: 16px;'>Centenary</span>

Centenary
100 Years Working for Amateur Radio

By Elaine Richards, G4LFM

As part of the Centenary celebrations the RSGB has commissioned and produced this special hardback book looking at 100 years of RSGB History. In its first century, the RSGB has represented the interests of members at national and international level and provided the framework within which the early pioneers and experimenters thrived. Centenary outlines the century of activity of the RSGB and its members.

Centenary is a peek at the history of the RSGB, which is a rich tapestry indeed. The stories gathered together here provide a glimpse of the people behind the organisation and the way they have shaped the history of the Society. It would have been impossible for all the stories, famous names and events from the first 100 years have made it into print. Nevertheless, this collection of events gives a flavour of the RSGB history and the hobby it supports. From the first days and its initial membership of four, through two World Wars to a new Millennium, the RSGB's membership have taken part in propagation experiments, pushed the boundaries of radio and electronic knowledge and shown what international amateur radio relations is all about. Whether it's proving that VHF communications is more than line-of-sight, showing the world how far radio signals can travel or putting satellites into space, radio amateurs have been involved in it all. Centenary brings together some of the best achievements and tells the story of some of the most well known names in amateur radio history.

Packed with over 200 colour and mono photographs this book provides a fascinating insight into the life and times of the RSGB. Produced as a quality hardback book, with a glossy slip cover and glossy paper throughout, to bring out the detail, this book is exceptional. If you would like a part of the RSGB centenary celebration then Centenary will grace any bookshelf.

ISBN: 9781 9050 8689 4, Hardback
Size: 300x225mm (landscape), 144 pages

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The Three Dimensions of John Logie Baird
By Dr Douglas Brown, GM8FFH

**** ONLINE ONLY SPECIAL OFFER - ONLY £7.99 ****

John Logie Baird (1888-1946) is remembered as the inventor of television but his work in colour, 3D and holographic television is much less well known. As are his significant contributions to other information sciences and their resulting technologies. The Three Dimensions of John Logie Baird sets out this work and adds a perspective not seen before to the story of this great inventor.

The Three Dimensions of John Logie Baird details the story of this great man from his early years through, to those where despite ailing health and poverty he did more to advance the early development of television than any other individual. He planted the seed, which has grown into a multinational, trillion dollar video and communications media industry. Baird is often dismissed as the person who invented a crude type of television which was quickly superseded but this book lays these criticisms to rest once and for all. For over a quarter of a century Baird developed monochrome, colour and 3D television, and many of the techniques he pioneered are still used in modern day systems. This book goes into detail about how the systems worked and their later development after John Logie Baird's death. The author has even provided projects that can be made which demonstrate the Baird's technology, including colour broadcasting.

The Three Dimensions of John Logie Baird is fascinating read that provides an excellent reference work on his inventions, an insight into the world of television and shows just how much we owe this great inventor.

Size 174x240mm, 208 pages (mono & colour): ISBN: 9781 9050 8679 5

Price: £7.99

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The Birth of British Radar
The Memoirs of Arnold 'Skip' Wilkins

Edited by Colin Latham and Anne Stobbs

**** SPECIAL OFFER PRICE ONLY £9.99 ****

Arnold "Skip" Wilkins is one of the unsung heroes of the British effort to develop radar. The Birth of British Radar book combines the memoirs of Skip with an authoritative overview of the historical importance of his work.

At the core of The Birth of British Radar are Skip's memoirs of his involvement in the British radar (or, as it was then known, radio direction finding, RDF) programme from its very inception in 1935. Working under the direction of Robert Watson-Watt, it was he who proposed using radio waves, bounced back from an enemy aircraft, to detect its position. Initially working entirely alone, he constructed prototype equipment which he used in the famous Daventry experiment conducted in a field near Weeden, Northants, on 26 February 1935. The success of this led to the establishment of the R&D group at Bawdsey Manor with its team of talented scientists, engineers and technicians. From there he describes the engineering and political developments which occurred to change faint traces into a fully working system which played such a crucial role in defending Britain in the Second World War.

This second edition of The Birth of British Radar has been greatly expanded from the original memoirs with a large array of additional material. Each chapter of the memoirs is set in a historical context with an explanatory note. There is a host of extra material including an interview with Skip, details of how radar grew, post war commemorations and much more. The Birth of British Radar contains mono and colour photos along with details of Skip's post war experiences. The story of this publicity-shy individual who never sought public recognition for his achievement, is fascinating. This book describes the struggles and triumphs from the earliest days of radar, in perhaps one of the most important periods in British electronics development, and is highly recommended.

Size 174x240mm, 128 pages ISBN: 9781 9050 8675 7

Price: £9.99

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Images Across Space
The Electronic Imaging of Baird Television

By Dr. Douglas Brown

25% OFF the rrp for RSGB Members

Written Dr. Douglas Brown a leading authority on TV Images Across Space provides a unique and fascinating insight into the pioneers of television and in particular to Scottish inventor John Logie Baird. From the initial concept of television though to the patent for 3D TV that far surpasses that offered to modern consumers, this book gives a fascinating insight into the man and his developments.

Lavishly illustrated Images Across Space not only provides the background to the development of TV but the story of the Baird Television Ltd. up to its demise and its continuation as Cinema Television Ltd. There are many previously unpublished photographs that illustrate the level of sophistication practiced by the Baird Television Ltd. and revealing photographs of the Baird cathode-ray tube facility, laboratories in the Crystal Palace and Rotunda outbuilding, equipment installed at Alexandra Palace. The book reveals the implications of the devastating fire that spectacularly razed the Crystal Palace to the ground in 1936, taking with it the Baird facilities and an analysis of the television systems on trial for the BBC at Alexandra Palace. Readers will find this book a mine of fascinating material with even a comprehensive listing of the British patents of Baird and his associates at Baird/Cinema Television.

John Logie Baird is remembered as the inventor of the first working system of television but Images Across Space shows that there was much more to the story. Images Across Space is a rare book of technical detail and an extraordinary story - thoroughly recommended reading.

Size 176x250mm, 192 pages, ISBN 9781-8742-8921-0

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A Bit of Controversy
Pat Hawker - A Radio Life

By Steve White, G3ZVW

A Bit of Controversy details the extraordinary radio life of Pat Hawker, MBE G3VA. From a very early age though to his eighties, Pat has been involved in many aspects of radio, from WW2 with the Britain's military intelligence organisations through to time working for the RSGB, the IBA and as the editor of Electronics Weekly and the Royal Television Society Journal.

Starting with his early upbringing and his interest in radio from the tender age A Bit of Controversy brings to life the life of this remarkable man. Pat was first licensed with an 'artificial aerial' licence (2BUH) in 1936 and a transmitting licence (G3VA) in 1938. There are details of his WW2 experience when Pat was a member of the Radio Security Service (RSS) with its connections to MI5 and MI6. Pat followed the allied invasion through Europe with the intelligence services, including a spell with the Dutch Bureau of Intelligence. After ending his military service in 1946 the book brings out details of his published work for the RSGB and George Newnes. Never far from a "radio controversy", this book, covers the 50 years that Pat wrote the hugely popular column Technical Topics which appeared in the RSGB's journal RadCom.

Pat Hawker has without doubt led an extraordinary life and this book details it. If you were a fan of Pat's long running column or just interested in the activity of the security services in WW2 this book is a fascinating insight.

Free Audio CD
A special bonus the book includes on a free audio CD a specially commissioned interview with Pat Hawker, MBE. Talking about his radio life, Pat adds an extra dimension to his fascinating story.

ISBN 9781-9050-8640-5
Size 174x240mm, 144 pages plus CD

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Perera's Telegraph Collectors Guide
By Prof. Tom Perera, W1TP

This is the third edition of the famous Perera's Telegraph Collectors Guide. Written by the leading expert on Telegraph Keys this book provides the reader with the comprehensive guide to telegraph keys. There is a historical background of telegraph keys and details of the types of keys available from the earliest 1830 varieties through to the present day. Morse code keys, spark & wireless keys, military keys from around the world and radio keys are all covered. There is also a wide range of material covering practice sets, semi-automatic keys (or "Bugs"), electronic keyers, paddles, home-made keys and even novelty items. There are even tips on restoring telegraph keys. The book also provides the latest guide prices for the keys along with a hugely valuable cross reference and comprehensive index of the material.

This book contains:
* Historical background
* Details of key types
* Hundreds of pictures
* Current key prices
* Tips on restoration
* Comprehensive & Cross-Referenced Index

This guide is ideal companion for anyone with an interest in telegraph keys and is a fascinating reference work on telegraph and Morse keys since their very inception

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The Story of Enigma CD
By Prof. Tom Perera, W1TP

The breaking of the Enigma Codes in World War II was one of the defining actions of the whole war. This CD looks at the Enigma machines themselves in amazing detail and brings to life how these machines were made and used. This CD also looks at the development of Enigma machines made by other countries after the war and detail is included of Russian, Swiss and American versions. In sixty sections you will find 5 videos, over 1400 photographs, schematics, nine Enigma books & manuals and two Enigma simulator programs. This CDcovers a huge array of detail from operating instructions,assembly and details of Enigma machines captured during the war and their value to Allied efforts. The CDgoes beyond the Enigma machines of WWII andcontains material on various derivations of these fascinating encryption devices. There are details of the American M-209 cipher machine including a 30-minute training film on its use. There is information on the FIALKA which is a recently discovered Russian Enigma machine, along with the Swiss pocket cipher machines. The CD is presented in an easy to use HTML format so any computer with an internet browser can use it easily. Some items on the CD do require other software to run and this has been included in the form of Mozilla Firefox (a web browser), Adobe Acrobat and Real Player (all PC versions).

At 697MB there is far more on this CD than we can hope to cover here. This is simply a gold mine of material for anyone interested in the subject of Enigma machines. This CD is thoroughly recommended as a remarkable resource for those researching the Enigma saga or anyone just interested in the topic.

ISBN 9781-9050-8622-1

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1940s Amateur Radio Special Edition

6 Book Set
Shortly after WWII the RSGB produced a hugely popular series of booklets detailing various aspects of amateur radio. This series of books published in 1947 - 1949 covered amateur radio as it was then. The RSGB is now re-issuing these booklets, in their original form as a special edition. Each book is a gem being an historical encapsulation of electronics as it was and what radio amateurs were doing with it. The set contains 6 booklets with a nearly 450 pages of fascinating material. Not only is this collection a historical master class in amateur radio, it provides an ideal understanding of the way the past has shaped the direction of current technology.
Books include:
VHF Technique - Propagation of VHF waves; VHF aerial systems; VHF transmitters; VHF receivers; VHF measurements; Frequency modulation. 96 pages
Transmitter Interference - Cooperation and goodwill; Interference to medium-wave broadcast reception; Interference curable at the transmitter; Interference curable at the receiver; Interference to television. 32 pages
Valve Technique - General considerations governing valve operation; Voltage amplifiers; Audio frequency power amplifiers; Radio frequency power amplifiers, frequency multipliers and oscillators; Detectors; Frequency changers; Power rectifiers; Special applications; Noise generated in valve amplifiers; Valves for VHF. 104 pages
Receivers - Fundamental principles; Principles of receiver design; Tuning circuits; Straight receivers; Superheterodyne receivers; Frequency-modulation receivers; Construction; Power supplies; Fault-finding, adjustments and calibration. 96 pages
Microwave Technique - Introduction to microwaves; Circuit elements - tuned circuits and cavity resonators; Circuit elements - waveguides; Circuit elements - valves; Transmitters and receivers; Aerials; Measurements. 68 pages
Simple Transmitting Equipment - Fundamentals; Aerials; Simple transmitters; Five-band 25-watt transmitter; Simple VFO circuit; Crystal-controlled frequency sub-standard. 52 pages

Please Note: The cover design has altered from that originally announced in March 2006 RadCom

© Radio Society of Great Britain, Size 184x120mm ISBN 1-905086-14-8

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Titanic in Picture Postcards

By Robert McDougall and Robin Gardiner

Before, during and after the loss of the Titanic, the liner was thrust into the public gaze by a massive production of photographs, both official and unofficial. Some really do portray the ship herself, but others show her sister ships, Olympic and Britannic, in disguise. Titanic, following her collision with the iceberg, her gradual sinking, the part played by the ship's orchestra and, from our point of view, the contribution of the ship's radio officer, Jack Phillips, continue to fuel speculation to this day. As the book's fly-leaf suggests, the book is "a remarkable testament to perhaps the most famous liner ever to sail the Atlantic".
Size 215 x 252mm, 128 pages, ISBN: 0-7110-2896-6

Special Offer for RSGB members - Order today and paying only £9.99 saving 50% off the normal retail price of this book

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Online Catalogue | Radio Books & CDs | History