{"id":50158,"date":"2021-09-07T07:37:23","date_gmt":"2021-09-07T11:37:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=50158"},"modified":"2021-09-07T07:37:23","modified_gmt":"2021-09-07T11:37:23","slug":"free-online-lecture-aspidistra-and-the-broadcast-group-of-the-diplomatic-wireless-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/free-online-lecture-aspidistra-and-the-broadcast-group-of-the-diplomatic-wireless-service\/","title":{"rendered":"Free online lecture: “Aspidistra and the Broadcast Group of the Diplomatic Wireless Service”"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Many thanks to SWLing Post<\/em> contributor, Kris Partridge, who shares the following information about a free online lecture hosted by the The Institute of Engineering and Technology<\/a>. This presentation will take place tomorrow (September 8, 2021 staring at 19:00 BST\/18:00 UTC). You must register online<\/a> to attend this lecture.<\/p>\n

Here are the details from the IET website<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

Aspidistra and the Broadcast Group of the Diplomatic Wireless Service including the wartime transmission of black propaganda.<\/h1>\n

The History of the Broadcast Group of the Diplomatic Wireless Service. The event starts at 19:00 BST on 8th September 2021<\/p>\n

This is the story of Broadcast Group of the Diplomatic Wireless Service (DWS) which had its origins in the Political Warfare Executive (PWE) at the beginning of WW2. In 1972 it was amalgamated into the administrative structure of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and was renamed Communications Engineering Department (CED). The latter had two groups, Broadcast Group which was responsible for transmitters carrying many of the BBC\u2019s World and Vernacular services, and Communications group which provided radio communications to embassies for diplomatic traffic. In 1986 CED\u2019s Broadcast Group was taken over by the BBC.<\/p>\n

In this illustrated talk we will learn first about the transmission of black propaganda and associated activities during WWII. Also such activities as trying to interfere with enemy rocket guidance systems. Then about the various Medium-Wave and Short-Wave transmitting stations of Broadcast Group with transmitter stations at Crowborough, Orfordness, Cyprus and the island of Masirah, a part of Oman. Transmitters ranged from 1?kW carrier power to 600 kW. Several of these were designed and manufactured in house. There will be many pictures and descriptions of the equipment and aerials used at these stations. Also covered will be an introduction to the progress of amplitude modulation techniques which enabled transmitters to become more compact.<\/p>\n

So, what is Aspidistra? Please register to hear the story of Aspidistra and the Broadcast Group of the DWS with the engineering used to build and operate these stations.<\/p>\n

About the Speaker<\/strong><\/p>\n

Roger Castle-Smith FIET<\/p>\n

Mr Roger Castle-Smith FIET. Roger first became interested in radio when he joined the signals section of his school\u2019s Combined Cadet force. This led to him gaining an amateur\u2019s radio license at the age of 15, callsign G3IOT. Then on to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, where he started an amateur station for the academy. Graduated into Royal Signals. Achieved a BSc(Eng) degree as an external degree from the University of London whilst at the Royal Military College of Science. Many of his army postings were of a technical nature. On retirement at the age of 37 he was made a MBE. Joined the Diplomatic Wireless Service then worked his way up to becoming Head of Broadcast Group in 1979 leading to Chief Engineer and Head of Communications Engineering Department (CED) in 1981. During his service a CBE followed his MBE. Retired age 66.<\/p>\n

\n

Click here to read more and to register for this event.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Kris also suggested this article<\/a> and this article<\/a> as a little background and worth reading prior to the lecture.<\/p>\n

Thank you for the tip, Kris!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Kris Partridge, who shares the following information about a free online lecture hosted by the The Institute of Engineering and Technology. This presentation will take place tomorrow (September 8, 2021 staring at 19:00 BST\/18:00 UTC). You must register online to attend this lecture. Here are the details from the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3,1850,288],"tags":[9435,5382,5584,4119,4091,676],"class_list":["post-50158","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","category-propaganda","category-radio-history","tag-aspidistra","tag-black-propaganda","tag-kris-partridge","tag-propaganda","tag-radio-history","tag-wwii"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-d30","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":46388,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/11\/links-for-a-deep-dive-into-bbc-radio-history\/","url_meta":{"origin":50158,"position":0},"title":"Links for a deep dive into BBC radio history","author":"Thomas","date":"November 9, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Kris Partridge, who writes: Last night I sent the link to the SWLing Droitwch item to a former colleague. He replied this morning, reply below, and includes a couple of useful links. I\u2019m very sure the SWLing Post knows about MB21. Thinking that maybe\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Dial.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Dial.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Dial.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":50179,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/1951-us-army-film-independent-radio-station-wmca\/","url_meta":{"origin":50158,"position":1},"title":"1951 US Army Film: Independent Radio Station WMCA","author":"Thomas","date":"September 9, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Kris Partridge, who shares the following: I belong to a FaceBook group \u201cThe Broadcasting Club\u201d and [recently] there was posted a link to a YouTube video of a 70 year old 1951 US Army film called \u201cThe Independent Radio Station WMCA\u201d. It\u2019s worth a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/General-Electric-Vintage-Radio-Dial.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/General-Electric-Vintage-Radio-Dial.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/General-Electric-Vintage-Radio-Dial.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/General-Electric-Vintage-Radio-Dial.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/General-Electric-Vintage-Radio-Dial.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":52154,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/03\/radio-waves-rnz-tvnz-merging-tech-keeping-ukrainians-in-touch-solar-storms-documentary-and-aspidistra\/","url_meta":{"origin":50158,"position":2},"title":"Radio Waves: RNZ & TVNZ Merging, Tech Keeping Ukrainians in Touch, Solar Storms Documentary, and Aspidistra","author":"Thomas","date":"March 12, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0readers.\u00a0 To that end:\u00a0Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/BC-348-Q_3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/BC-348-Q_3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/BC-348-Q_3.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/BC-348-Q_3.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/BC-348-Q_3.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":38181,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/06\/website-shares-story-of-the-bbcs-wartime-reporting\/","url_meta":{"origin":50158,"position":3},"title":"Site shares story of the BBC\u2019s wartime reporting","author":"Thomas","date":"June 13, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Kris Partridge, who shares the following note following our recent series of posts about WWII radio: The, nearly, full story of the BBC\u2019s wartime reporting can be found here. Yes, I hope another interesting read both for your good self and the readers of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/BBC-AT-WAR.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/BBC-AT-WAR.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/BBC-AT-WAR.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":37901,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/05\/rsgb-archives-film-field-day-1947\/","url_meta":{"origin":50158,"position":4},"title":"RSGB Archives Film: Field Day 1947","author":"Thomas","date":"May 22, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Kris Partridge, who shares the following film from the archives of the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB): https:\/\/youtu.be\/TeLeecrhytw Click here to view on YouTube. Wow!\u00a0 Thanks so much for sharing this film, Kris.\u00a0 What an amazing number of classic rigs. Hams back then\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/RSGB-Field-Day-1947-1024x731.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/RSGB-Field-Day-1947-1024x731.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/RSGB-Field-Day-1947-1024x731.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":40536,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/11\/the-bbc-and-the-cold-war\/","url_meta":{"origin":50158,"position":5},"title":"“The BBC and the Cold War”","author":"Thomas","date":"November 11, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Kris Partridge, who writes: With Saturday being the 30th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall, BBC OnLine has posted this to commemorate the anniversary: https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/historyofthebbc\/100-voices\/coldwar The Cold War was the defining global conflict of the second half of the Twentieth Century. Fought\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Soviet-Radio-Dial-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Soviet-Radio-Dial-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Soviet-Radio-Dial-1024x576.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50158","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50158"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50158\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50158"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50158"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}