Please use the tabs at the top of every page. Clicking the top level introduces a different group of topics in the lower level, clicking these loads a new page. The five tabs currently visible on the lower level give only a brief summary of each topic but it is worth looking at these before progressing onto the detailed topics. To help maintain continuity the footer on some pages have links to related topics.
This site was created in 2001 and contained just a few pages about the public warning system. Since then its grown to 30 Pages thanks to a lot of helpful feedback and encouragement from so many people able to plug the holes in my knowledge. I am always pleased to receive all kinds of information and to hear of your experiences related to the topics on this site as there are still pieces of the jigsaw missing
Many of us signed the Official Secrets Act, this protected information for 30 years, so anything pre-1985 is now open. The National Archives in Kew have files previously classified Secret open to public inspection which form the basis for a number of pages on this website. The Freedom of Information Act, has opened younger files too.
There are still a few of foggy areas where your knowledge may help provide a better understanding. Please click the link below to see the burning issues.
I became interested in the UK Civil Defence for the Cold War, as a result of working as a engineer for 'Post Office Telephones' later privatised and renamed 'British Telecom'. Between 1978 and 1981 I maintained the early warning equipment and visited ROC posts in part of North Northamptonshire and South Leicestershire. At the time I never disclosed this information even to my closest friends. Now twenty years have passed since the Cold War ended the Internet provides a good medium to disseminate the details of these defunct systems.
Contact Details for Steve Scanlon
13/09/2016 Many changes to History of GPO Microwave Network. Page: Related Topics / GPO->BT
12/09/2016 Added two Gents siren photos, modified text, tnx Jason Miles. Page: HANDEL / Power Siren. Bug Cleared: unable to select Contact Me tab when using MS Edge browser.
25/04/2016 Added a little more detail for RN2, London South, Clee Hill. Page: Communications / Networks ERA2
29/07/2015 New photographs of later switch panel added to siren page. Internal photographs from Alistair McCann of the old Grey TeleTalk AD3460 added.
18/07/2015 Thanks to tremendous feedback from four contributors, the new power siren page now contains 50 detailed photographs.
30/06/2015 Added a dedicated siren page, replacing fragmented coverage on WB600 & WB1400: HANDEL / Power Siren.
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