The Paraset Club

The “Paraset” is a compact, portable, extremely simple yet rugged radio transmitter and receiver developed by UK scientists and engineers, some of whom were radio amateurs, at the workshops of the Royal Signals Special Communications Unit at both Little Horwood and 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 and was used for clandestine radio communication primarily in Norway and Europe.  The Paraset Club is indebted to Mr. A.F. Fry for this first hand information.

The equipment is 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 and Tom, G3EFY (SK 12/2007) in 2005 and comprises a group of some 50+ radio amateurs committed to the following Aims: 

To honour the memory of the Whaddon Design and Manufacturing team and those brave men and 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 and encourage and 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 and enable exchange of information, ideas and 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 and are expected to make at least one contribution a year to the Club Website.

View Membership Conditions	Club Members Enter Here	Email the Membership Secretary
WARNING - HIGH VOLTAGE Prospective constructors should be aware that the Paraset operates at voltages capable of causing serious injury, even DEATH and due care must be taken in the construction and 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 and 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 and 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 Membership Secretary.