Main content

Keeping the Aspidistra flying

Our history of specialism in secure radio

Today, FCDO Services have radio engineers and installers working all over the world for our government customers. They design the radio towers that allow embassies to communicate with colleagues around the city. They install emergency backup radio systems, so that in the event of a power cut, staff at a high commission can still communicate with the outside world. In the event of an emergency – an earthquake, for instance – our radio team’s expertise is essential to customers worldwide.

But did you know that our organisation, and our predecessor government organisations, have a rich history of innovation in radio technology? 

One brilliant example of that is the Aspidistra: a unique radio transmitter developed in 1941 to aid Britain in the war effort. How? Well, one of its main uses was for Soldatensender Calais: a fake radio station directed at German soldiers. Broadcasting in German, this convincing channel interspersed jazz music programmes with seemingly accurate news bulletins that were designed to lower morale among the German troops.

Find out about what our radio specialists do today to defend the UK’s interests around the world, by visiting our Virtual Embassy

To find out more about the Aspidistra and our history of specialism in radio technology, visit our corporate site

Alternatively, you can find out about what our radio specialists do today to defend the UK’s interests around the world, by visiting our Virtual Embassy and selecting ‘Designing the embassy’s security features and secure communications’.

All articles