Battle of the beams - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Lee de Forest · 7th Sep 2009, 10:28 pm

http://www.vectorsite.net/ttwiz_07.html
I've just read the above web site and found it fascinating. It describes the history behind the battle of the beams and also the origins of German & Japanese radar.
According to the aforementioned page;
"Ironically, the Japanese had good technical minds, and had even developed an effective cavity magnetron in 1939" but did not pass this discovery to the Germans as they thought they had it.

McMurdo · 7th Sep 2009, 10:48 pm

Yes, fascinating indeed. You might also like to read 'Instruments of Darkness' by Alfred Price, a book widely held as definitive on the subject. You can also pick up copies of RV Jones' wartime autobiography 'Most Secret War' which is available 2nd hand from the usual places.

peter_scott · 7th Sep 2009, 10:57 pm

If you haven't read "Most Secret War" by R. V. Jones it's definitely worth tracking down a copy.

Peter

Oops! Too slow off the mark, but good to have two recommendations.

Lee de Forest · 8th Sep 2009, 10:56 am

Thanks I'll put it on my xmas wish list.

KeithsTV · 8th Sep 2009, 12:34 pm

There was a BBC series Secret War in 1977/8 plus a book covering the battle of the beams, radar enigma and other topics.

Keith.

ppppenguin · 8th Sep 2009, 1:00 pm

RV Jones' book, now apparently under a slightly different title:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Most-Secret-...2410843&sr=8-6

Brian Johnson's book of the TV series:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-War-S...2410929&sr=1-2

Both highly recommended. Also Jones' sequel which is much less well known and now out of print. Seems a bit expensive but well worth reading, if only for the background to the Oslo Report:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Reflections-...2411016&sr=1-1

I remember enjoying the TV series. RV Jones was really superb. In his books he comes over as perhaps a bit immodest. I am sure he had nothing to be immodest about.

McMurdo · 13th Sep 2009, 11:24 pm

I was delighted to see RV interviewed on the oft-repeated 'World at War' series talking about his work in countering german radar devices. Even by the early 70's when the programme was filmed he still seemed to exhibit boyish enthusiasm describing his discoveries. I do think in 'Most Secret War' he pays tribute to his colleagues in a very unselfish manner.

7th Sep 2009, 10:28 pm	#1
Lee de Forest Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 352	Battle of the beams http://www.vectorsite.net/ttwiz_07.html I've just read the above web site and found it fascinating. It describes the history behind the battle of the beams and also the origins of German & Japanese radar. According to the aforementioned page; "Ironically, the Japanese had good technical minds, and had even developed an effective cavity magnetron in 1939" but did not pass this discovery to the Germans as they thought they had it.

7th Sep 2009, 10:48 pm	#2
McMurdo Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 5,271	Re: Battle of the beams Yes, fascinating indeed. You might also like to read 'Instruments of Darkness' by Alfred Price, a book widely held as definitive on the subject. You can also pick up copies of RV Jones' wartime autobiography 'Most Secret War' which is available 2nd hand from the usual places. __________________ Kevin

7th Sep 2009, 10:57 pm	#3
peter_scott Dekatron Join Date: May 2003 Location: Edinburgh, UK. Posts: 3,274	Re: Battle of the beams If you haven't read "Most Secret War" by R. V. Jones it's definitely worth tracking down a copy. Peter Oops! Too slow off the mark, but good to have two recommendations. __________________ http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk https://www.youtube.com/c/PeterScott/videos

8th Sep 2009, 10:56 am	#4
Lee de Forest Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 352	Re: Battle of the beams Thanks I'll put it on my xmas wish list.

8th Sep 2009, 12:34 pm	#5
KeithsTV Nonode Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 2,573	Re: Battle of the beams There was a BBC series Secret War in 1977/8 plus a book covering the battle of the beams, radar enigma and other topics. Keith.

8th Sep 2009, 1:00 pm	#6
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Re: Battle of the beams RV Jones' book, now apparently under a slightly different title: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Most-Secret-...2410843&sr=8-6 Brian Johnson's book of the TV series: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-War-S...2410929&sr=1-2 Both highly recommended. Also Jones' sequel which is much less well known and now out of print. Seems a bit expensive but well worth reading, if only for the background to the Oslo Report: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Reflections-...2411016&sr=1-1 I remember enjoying the TV series. RV Jones was really superb. In his books he comes over as perhaps a bit immodest. I am sure he had nothing to be immodest about.

13th Sep 2009, 11:24 pm	#7
McMurdo Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 5,271	Re: Battle of the beams I was delighted to see RV interviewed on the oft-repeated 'World at War' series talking about his work in countering german radar devices. Even by the early 70's when the programme was filmed he still seemed to exhibit boyish enthusiasm describing his discoveries. I do think in 'Most Secret War' he pays tribute to his colleagues in a very unselfish manner. __________________ Kevin