WS-19 Wave meter

[James D Teel II]

What does the wave meter for the 19 set look like? I see some on offer now and again and think I’d like to pick one up.

[David Dunlop]

A bit of an arm waving generalization, James, but a British ‘Wave Meter’ is equivalent to a ‘Frequency Meter’ in North America. A useful piece of test equipment that can be used with a large variety of wireless/radio equipment.

Equipment labelled as being a Frequency Meter is by far and away, the more likely piece of test equipment you would find being used to service a 19-Set in Canada or the USA.

Of all this equipment, perhaps the best known here is the BC-221. They come in a variety of AC and DC versions, but the AC ones are the most flexible as a shop tool. You can find them online easily enough, but you need to find one that still has its original, matching chart. Each unit was custom calibrated to a chart.

You can certainly buy modern Frequency Meters but they tend to be far too sensitive for calibrating older radio equipment that really does not need that degree of accuracy.

I picked up a nice, complete BC-221 locally at an HAM Fest years ago. An AC Model and it is a nice addition to the bench.

David

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by James D Teel II

What does the wave meter for the 19 set look like? I see some on offer now and again and think I’d like to pick one up.

The usual one in British service during WW2 was the "Wavemeter, Class D, No.1" which was produced in a variety of case colours. This operates from 6 volts and could use a separate battery (the wooden-cased 6V 16AH accumulator) or be tapped across the wireless set battery using a pair of crocodile clips as necessary.

They were normally only issued to net control stations, as the other sets would be tuned to that signal.

It contains a dual-frequency crystal (1MHz and 100kHz) plus a variable frequency oscillator that allows the operator to set his frequency as required.

The original unit came in a wooden transit case that contained the headset and instruction manual, etc. Spare vibrator, valve, and dial lamps were fitted inside the unit. A later version was made in a 2-part metal case with rubber seal to protect it from damp when not in use.

Judging by the serial numbers, a very large number were made - 570467 has been noted.

Be careful when buying one: common modifications are to remove the vibrator and either build an AC supply into the unit, or run it from a 6.3 volt heater transformer for amateur radio use.

(They sometimes fetch extremely silly prices on various auction sites. I have no idea why.)

Chris.

[Robert Bergeron]

Gents , what does it look like ? Any pictures please ? Thanks

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

Gents , what does it look like ? Any pictures please ? Thanks

What you really need for your installation is this (first pic) but the British one looks like this (second pic).

[Robert Bergeron]

Thanks Bruce . I had no idea of what our friends were talking about . So much so in fact that i have one ( Canadian ) and was playing with it recently to familiarize myself with the tuning of my set in the back of the Wire-5 box. Nice piece of kit and useful to tune precisely to a freq. The dial on the MKIII is quite coarse i find .

[Chris Suslowicz]

More photographs.

In wooden transit/storage case:

https://www.royalsignals.org.uk/photos/transit7.htm

A new one!

https://www.royalsignals.org.uk/ws62/classd.html

I think I've seen the 'metal plate' working instructions for one somewhere.

(I have the water-resistant case version somewhere, must look it out.)

Chris.

[James D Teel II]

Yes. Thanks all. I do need to find one of these.