General Discussion

Turning a hobby / pastime into a weapon of war was a game changer for signals intelligence during the very early years of World War Two. I am referring to the hobby / pastime of amateur radio, an innocent off shoot of wireless telegraphy which by its very nature was experimental for those who embraced this new form of communication. As we approach the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ days may I with respect invite all those within the NSIST community to focus their attention on recovering and recording this vital aspect of our signals intelligence history before it is lost forever. I took my own lead in 2004 from a gentleman who is no longer with us, the late Bob King. Bob was a radio amateur, a Voluntary Interceptor and when conscripted was posted to PO Box 25, Barnet. I believe I am correct in saying, Bob was a champion in keeping the memory of the RSS alive right up to his failing health, and death, but I must not forget to mention Bob's good friend Stan Ames who stood shoulder to shoulder with his cause. It was Stan who did the leg work, searching for the evidence of the RSS which both during and after the war had been hidden behind the "Official Secrets Act" and "Ultra" in places like the Public Records Office, Kew, the BT Archive and other locations with a connection to the early days of the amateur radio. I going to add some guidance if I may, with other posts, which I hope will help those who are keen to recover what little remains of the RSS history in their area. I should add, there is already a wealth of information held by the RSGB?? but there may be more if we look hard enough.