Editing Long Range Desert Group (section)

===Communications===
[[File:V wireless.jpg|alt=man smoking wearing radio headphones between two very closely parked vehicles|thumb|upright|Radio operator, Corporal Arthur George Biddle RCS, of 'R1' Patrol using the No 11 Wireless set mounted on a 30 cwt Chevrolet 1533 X2. The rod aerial is just above his head. The four wooden support poles for the Windom dipole antenna are carried on brackets on the wooden 'greedy boards'. The canvas sand mat can be seen rolled up on the right hand vehicle.{{#tag:ref|The 'greedy boards' were used to extend the load height of the Godfredson 4B1 Steel ammunition body used on Chevrolet 1533X2s; the steel tubes used to secure the boards doubled as weapons mounts (see photo of "T10").<ref>Jenner and List 1999, pp.28–29</ref> |group=nb}}]]

In the LRP, most of the radio operators were New Zealanders, but the LRDG radio operators were all from the [[Royal Corps of Signals]]. These men were skilled in communications and were able to maintain and repair their equipment without any outside help. On only three occasions did a broken radio prevent a patrol communicating with its headquarters.<ref name="O'Carroll, 2000, p 55">O'Carroll 2000, p.55</ref> All LRDG patrols included one vehicle equipped with a [[Wireless Set No. 11]] and a non-military [[Philips]] model 635 receiver. The No. 11 Set had been designed for use in tanks, and had [[transmitter]] and [[Receiver (radio)|receiver]] circuits;<ref name=no11set>{{cite web|access-date=24 May 2010 |publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)]] |title=Wireless Set No 11 |url=http://www2.armynet.mod.uk/museums/royalsignals/wirelesssetno11.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090829221533/http://www2.armynet.mod.uk/museums/royalsignals/wirelesssetno11.htm |archive-date=29 August 2009 }}</ref> the Royal Signals expected to use the No. 11 set to transmit and receive between {{convert|3|mi}} and {{convert|20|mi}} with the use of {{convert|6|ft|adj=on}} or {{convert|9|ft|adj=on}} [[Antenna (radio)|antennas]].<ref name=no11set/>
The LRDG used [[Morse code]] for all transmissions, and were able to transmit over great distances using either a [[dipole antenna]] system attached to a {{convert|6.3|ft}} [[rod antenna]] mounted on the truck, which was adequate up to {{convert|500|mi}},<ref name = "O'Carroll, 2000, p 55"/> or for greater distances, a Windom dipole system slung between two {{convert|17|ft}} tall poles.<ref name = "O'Carroll, 2000, p 55"/> The disadvantage of using the Windom system was that it took time to erect and work out the correct antenna length, so it could only be used in a relatively safe area.<ref>Molinari 2007, p.79</ref> To power the No. 11 set extra batteries had to be carried by the radio vehicles.<ref name = "O'Carroll, 2000, p 55"/>
The Philips receiver was used to monitor [[Greenwich Mean Time]] (GMT) time checks, which was vital for desert [[navigation]].<ref name="Jenlist18">Jenner and List 1999, p.18</ref>{{#tag:ref|On occasion the Philips was used to listen to [[BBC]] radio or music like the song [[Lili Marleen]].<ref name="Jenlist18"/>|group=nb}}

While on the move the lead vehicles of the patrol commanders and sergeants flew a small flag. Because the LRP was organised on divisional cavalry lines the leaders carried green flags for 'A' (HQ) Troop, black for 'B' Troop, yellow for 'C' Troop and red for 'D'.<ref name="O'Carroll50">O'Carroll 2000, p.50</ref> When the LRDG was organised into 11 vehicle patrols this was simplified to a green flag displaying the patrol letter in white; the later half-patrols used a plain green flag on occasion. When it became necessary to change course from an intended route, or in the event of enemy action, patrol movements were controlled by a simple [[Flag semaphore|semaphore flag]] system using blue and white signal flags,{{#tag:ref|Some typical signals were 'Enemy in sight': a flag waved vertically, and 'Disperse': two horizontal flags waved up and down.<ref name="O'Carroll50"/>|group=nb}} or hand signals, depending on how widely dispersed the trucks were.<ref name="O'Carroll50"/>