The Paraset Club

The “Paraset” is a compact, portable, extremely simple yet rugged radio transmitter & receiver developed by UK scientists & engineers, some of whom were radio amateurs, at the workshops of the Royal Signals Special Communications Unit at both Little Horwood & in the workshops in the grounds of Whaddon Hall, Buckinghamshire in the early stages of the Second World War.  The set is known as the Whaddon MkVII & was used for clandestine radio communication primarily in Norway & Europe.  The Paraset Club is indebted to Mr. A.F. Fry for this information.  The equipment has become known as the “Paraset” because it was dropped by parachute either with, or to agents operating in the field.

The Paraset Club was founded by Adrian, G4GDR & Tom, G3EFY (SK 12/2007) in 2005 & comprises a group of more than 60 radio amateurs committed to the following Aims: 

To honour the memory of the Whaddon Design & Manufacturing team & those brave men & women who operated this equipment clandestinely in enemy occupied territory during the Second World War.

To preserve the Paraset in its original form as far as is practicable & encourage & enable members to construct authentic working replicas of the equipment.

To encourage members to operate their sets with simple wire aerials in the manner they were used operationally i.e. without an A.T.U.

To encourage & enable exchange of information, ideas & experiences between members.

Full membership is open to all licensed radio amateurs.  There is no subscription but members are required to comply the Club’s Aims & Conditions & are expected to make at least one contribution a year to the Club Website.

View Membership Conditions	Club Members Enter Here	Email the Secretary
WARNING - HIGH VOLTAGE Prospective constructors should be aware that the Paraset operates at voltages capable of causing serious injury, even DEATH & due care must be taken in the construction & use of the equipment to avoid coming into contact with any high voltage component.  This applies particularly to the transmitter Tank Tuning Capacitor which is connected directly to the HT supply & adequate insulation must be included to minimise the risk of coming into accidental contact with the spindle, paying particular attention to the grub screws securing its tuning knob.
Please Note: The Paraset Club exists to to honour the memory of those who designed, built & operated the "Paraset" during WWII & to encourage & assist those wishing to construct accurate reproductions of the equipment.  We have spent many hours collecting & editing the material on this site.  Please do not mirror material from this site without seeking permission from the Secretary.