PCR Receivers - Entertaining The Troops

Portable Communications Receivers Type PCR, PCR2, PCR3 were a series of general purpose lightweight sets used by the British Army from 1944 until the late 1960s.

It was a 6 valve superhet, a variation of the RX section of the Wireless Sets No. 19 but with better RF selectivity, narrower IF selectivity and a higher power audio output stage.

Valves such as the 6V6 or EL32 had the same pin connections as much more powerful valves like the EL34 and KT88. A simple swap could fry the output tranformer before the power supply burned out but in the few minutes before the nasty smell, a PCR sounded great.

The frequencies covered were 2100 - 850 Metres LW, 570 - 190 Metres MW and 5.8 - 18MHz SW with the luxury of an internal loudspeaker, making the radio almost self-contained.

Bought as military surplus, you had the option of an external power supply. Save a few bob by building your own, there was plenty of space on the chassis and you could get rid of the non-standard inter-connect leads.

With a beefy PSU and an upgraded audio output valve - a KT66 was the mod of choice - Radio Caroline really rocked. Mine was made by Philips Lamps and was one of the 17,000 units produced.

The PCR is often described as a NAAFI receiver for entertainment only as, lacking a BFO, single-sideband reception is not possible. We used ours as a domestic military-styled AM radio but it was seen as much more in Service life being supplied by the RAF to Resistance Groups in Norway, Holland and France.