11 Set stuff

[cletrac (RIP)]

I bought this voltage meter off ebay but I'm not sure if it's the one that was used with the 11 set. I also got a grungy microphone NO 3 for $10 to get the plug for a headset I have.
When did they use the muffs on the 11 set headphones? I have 2 pics with them being used and lots of pics without them.

[Ron Pier]

Although I like collecting/owning this stuff, I'm completely vague about how it works. Would the volt meter be part of a separate requirement/tool kit?

My Australian version came with this 'Thermocouple' gauge, showing amps.

Ron

[Mike K]

This is the Aust. 11 set test meter with its probe . You press the probe against the test panel on the front of the set .

I think TP means tropic proofed - a feeble attempt at moisture proofing , usually shellac was painted inside

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Ron Pier

Although I like collecting/owning this stuff, I'm completely vague about how it works. Would the volt meter be part of a separate requirement/tool kit?

My Australian version came with this 'Thermocouple' gauge, showing amps.

Ron

Hi Ron

yes the voltmeter is a separate item . The set itself has a small test panel on the front , you can measure the plate voltages of the valves , without pulling the set from its case , a neat idea

The meter in your pic is a RF thermo ammeter , it measures the radio frequency current , flowing within the antenna circuit - it can give you false readings as it measures both forward and reflected current and adds them together . Mike

[Mike K]

I came across this lead with its brass tag

connectors leads ZAA 4139

I think its a 11 set part . The ZAA refers to it being of Aust. pattern

Maybe its part of the remote unit ?

[Ron Pier]

Thanks Chaps I knew you'd give chapter and verse. Trouble is my wireless supplier didn't sell me one of those tropic proofed volt meters, so I could be in trouble in the jungle Ron

[cletrac (RIP)]

The one I got says RADIO VOLTMETER on the face and the seller said it was British military. It has 6v and 120v readouts depending on which grounding post you use.
Mike, would that connecter go from the remote to the 11 set?

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by cletrac

Mike, would that connecter go from the remote to the 11 set?

Possibly - the Aust. 11 set manual will list the leads and the ZAA numbers . I do have the long remote unit leads , these are wound on cable drums somewhat like signal cable . I will have a look and take some pics .

[Ron Pier]

Talking of gauges reminded me that I bought this one years ago because it was calling at me. Any ideas what it is guys. Ron

[Bruce MacMillan]

Regarding David's voltmeter:

These were very common in the 1920-30's. Every repairman carried one. Many farmers had battery powered sets so it was usefull to test the A & B batteries.

The one that was issued with the 11 set is "voltmeter, pocket, 250V #2"

Useful for 1st echelon work and checking both LT & HT batteries. Besides the two power supplies available the 11 set also came configured for battery operation with four 60V batteries providing a 240V supply.

Regarding Ron's ammeter:

This ammeter measures radio frequency current going to the aerial. It doesn't measure battery current. There were two issued depending upon the power supply used. The LP supply had "ammeter #1 350mA" and the HP supply had "ammeter #3 1A". Very useful when tuning the transmitter.

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by cletrac

I bought this voltage meter off ebay but I'm not sure if it's the one that was used with the 11 set. I also got a grungy microphone NO 3 for $10 to get the plug for a headset I have.
When did they use the muffs on the 11 set headphones? I have 2 pics with them being used and lots of pics without them.

Hmmm... that's a somewhat modified civilian voltmeter, and definitely not part of any military set.

Note that the microphone and headset plugs are different, and it is for a reason. The microphone plug is No.10 and has a straight barrel. The headphone plug is No.9 and has a wide "step" at the base.

The reason for the "step" is that originally all microphones had carbon granule inserts and required a 3 volt supply to operate. This was supplied by dry cells. If you plugged the headset into the microphone socket, this would discharge the battery fairly quickly (in addition to the set not working at all well). The step prevents the headphone plug from being inserted far enough into a microphone socket to make contact with both of the contacts, thus avoiding the problem.

As to the "muffs", British headsets tended to use plain Bakelite earpieces, the American ones for the WS19 had circular felt or velvet over sponge rubber muffs, and the Canadians excelled themselves with chamois leather covered sponge (oval) muffs that went around the ear instead of pressing on it, making them supremely comfortable and also excluding background noise - ideal for long periods of use.

Chris.

(There's also a 3-contact version of the No.10 plug, used with Microphone, Hand, No.7 with the ZC1 transceiver - the third contact is needed for transmit/receive switching.)

[cletrac (RIP)]

Chris,
The headset in the 8cwt picture earlier in this thread has round muffs used with an 11 set in North Africa. That's why I asked.

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by cletrac

Chris,
The headset in the 8cwt picture earlier in this thread has round muffs used with an 11 set in North Africa. That's why I asked.

Hmmm... they look like CLR or DLR earpieces with some sort of cover, and it's an early "all steel" headband. I'll have a rummage and see if I can pin it down to an actual type.

Chris,

[Mike K]

The headphones talk reminds of the mic/headphone sets ham radio supplies had back in the early 80's . New in boxes , the harness was rubber all over and marked NYLEX 1956 . They were same as WW2 era 19 set sets with the fabric ear muffs and the dynamic mic insert , they may have been made for the 62 sets the army here were using at the time . Nylex was in Bay road in Cheltenham , Melbourne

Anyway they were $2 a set . They had lots of them .

The same shop also had WW2 dated headsets with the bakelite ear pieces, these were 2 bucks new . Ive still got a few of them

not me selling this but this is the same set I was buying for 2 bucks !


http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Military-...item417d3e13b1

[Ron Pier]

Here's a nice picture of a WS11 being used as a ground station. I calculate the bike to be a pre war Ariel. Ron

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Ron Pier

Here's a nice picture of a WS11 being used as a ground station. I calculate the bike to be a pre war Ariel. Ron

Looks like a Aust. 11 set to me .

[cletrac (RIP)]

Is the Morse Code Key ZA 4354 for an 11 set?
I guess it's for an 18 set.

[Mike K]

The Aust. 11 set manual is available here

http://tosty.id.au/WS-11-AUST-MANUAL/

a few more manuals

http://tosty.id.au/

[cletrac (RIP)]

Here's a list for the components used in a complete 11 set station from the Aussie manual.

[Mike K]

The valves or tubes in Nth American parlance , listed in that list will not swap over to a UK or Canadian made No. 11 set .

[cletrac (RIP)]

I made up this list of the stuff needed for a complete Vehicle setup. It came off the British 11 set manual. Can anyone help with the missing ZA numbers?

[Chris Suslowicz]

Yes, but it will take some time (I will need to transcribe some of my 1940-ish VAOS which only exists as a rather scruffy photocopy).

How much detail do you need? (Some of the items will have a detailed description to allow (for instance connectors) manufacture by the stores depot.)

[cletrac (RIP)]

It would be nice to have enough detail to know what all I'm looking for. I have several pictures already.