 A complementary manpack HF set, the A13, was also equipped with NBPhM facilities.The C13 and A13 entered service in the early 1960s with the A13 notable for being the only set in the original range that employed transistors exploiting developments in semiconductors to reduce weight and size, and a rechargeable nickel-cadmium battery 

VHF manpack sets of the era were derived from established designs with the Station Radio A41 and A42 being developed from the US AN/PRC-10 and PRC-9 respectively and the A40 adapted from the Canadian C/PRC-26.Other sets developed commercially were bought in to meet specialist requirements or circumstances, examples being the HF156, A14 (BCC30), the Australian A510, Redifon A43R and the Pye C12.