Class C Wavemeter

[Mike Kelly]

I picked up this Class C wavemeter at the hamfest , it was 20 bucks . I have had a few of these .

I am not sure if this unit is based on a UK design ? Anyway all of them Ive seen are dated 1941 and they were made by AWA Sydney .

Each set came with a spare valve , the spare valve and its box are marked the same serial nr. as the set is .

The power plugs are the same pattern as the AWA 101 set .

Each set came with a calibration chart - the chart slides into a thin pocket next to the PSU . These sets are next to useless as a wavemeter, you would be lucky to get within 20 khz of an assigned frequency .

The set runs from a 6 Volt battery , the vibrator HT unit is on the left with a spare vibrator .

This set has been painted grey post war . Inside the calibration chart envelope, I found a consignment note from TAA airlines from 1948 ! The note details shipment of this set from Brisbane to HM prison Adelaide !

Edit: Just found this similar unit , I think its a British made unit http://www.zc1-radioclub.org.nz/wave_meter_class-c.htm

Also this one I cannot read Dutch http://www.pa3esy.nl/military/gb/arm...ave_c_set.html

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

I picked up this Class C wavemeter at the hamfest , it was 20 bucks . I have had a few of these .

I am not sure if this unit is based on a UK design ? Anyway all of them Ive seen are dated 1941 and they were made by AWA Sydney .

Each set came with a spare valve , the spare valve and its box are marked the same serial nr. as the set is .

The power plugs are the same pattern as the AWA 101 set .

Each set came with a calibration chart - the chart slides into a thin pocket next to the PSU . These sets are next to useless as a wavemeter, you would be lucky to get within 20 khz of an assigned frequency .

They were a British designed (and originally manufactured and shipped around the Commonwealth) unit from the days when radio communication was from Battalion level upwards, so there were not many sets required.

20kHz accuracy was initially perfectly adequate, as they were intended for use with Wireless Set No.1 (and later 11), to allow the initial frequency setting to be reasonably close and thus make the net findable.

The calibration chart was intended to be user updatable - all the wavemeters for a net would be collected up and recalibrated against a master unit when possible.

The unit could be operated from dry batteries (and an accumulator for the valve heater) using a supplied socket/terminal block to connect to the set it was being used with, or using the vibrator pack.

Later on, there was a crystal calibrator issued, which fitted into the space previously occupied by the spare valve tin. (I assume they moved the spare valve to the wireless set spares case.) That allowed for calibration checking in the field, and rather more accuracy.

Chris.
(I'm looking for a vibrator unit for this wavemeter, I've got the other parts (though the calibrator is in horrible condition and needs restoring).)

[cletrac (RIP)]

I'll have to watch for one of these to go with my 11 set.

[things_green]

good to see some test gear surfacing Mike,
often a poorly represented part of the kit....far less 'sexy'

The images from the ZC1 club are of an English one I had, I have since moved it on as I have a superb AWA set the same as yours.
here they are as a comparison.

I like the RCA wavemeter only because I separately found the associated spare parts box for it.

The Class D Wavemeter is cool because its clean, complete and the associated photograph. circa 1952 taken at a CMT course in Waiouru NZ along with a ZC1 MkII

Brent

[things_green]

as above, one of the reasons I have kept the RCA wavemeter.

Does anyone have any info?
Were these another generic Wavemeter?

TE149. 1943. Montreal Canada.

[Mike Kelly]

Çant help you with that wavemeter Brent

By far the most common meter found over here is the US BC221 , these are nice bits of kit, highly accurate . Some I have seen look to be in near new cond.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iZy41OfGHM

[things_green]

Ditto this side of the ditch Mike....many more BC221s than anything else.

The difficult part for 'us' is finding an unadulterated one.

This is my 3rd, the only one I have seen with the rear canvas still attached.

I have not seen any that haven't, as said in that great uTube clip you posted, been 'uprated' with a 240v PSU...this one has a Govt issue PSU, no idea what part of the Govt.

[things_green]

Maybe you or other forum members can help with this one Mike.
I'm not even sure if it had any military applications.

An AWA fanatic in Aus didn't recognise it but places its manufacture pre WW2.

I can't even rehome it.....too heavy to send across the ditch.
Although I did get the RNZAF to take a Rebecca Radar unit to England for the Imperial War Museums Duxford radio collection. What a mission!

I think I have too many test units

[Mike Kelly]

Where on earth are you finding this stuff Brent ?

I probably had a manual for that AWA device. I was given a big stack of AWA manuals , very old ones.

Have you run out of storage space yet ?

The BC221 was an amazing item, as that guy explained on u tube, it was a major leap forward . An error of less than a hundred Hertz .

[things_green]

we all fall across stuff that interests us over the years Mike, as you well know

I have accrued too much kit...and at nearly 60 I am making a real effort to part with it before I shuffle off this mortal coil.

My two daughters swear they will get a skip in ~grins~

I sold a WS38MkII last week...just taking some pics of a nice FS6 that's next on the block.

Beautifully made Signal generator by Ferris. high end WW2 kit.

I've photographed that beautiful valve allot..trying to capture those electrons as they leap around.
As I said, too much test kit'.

[Mike Kelly]

Originally Posted by things_green

we all fall across stuff that interests us over the years Mike, as you well know

I have accrued too much kit...and at nearly 60 I am making a real effort to part with it before I shuffle off this mortal coil.

My two daughters swear they will get a skip in ~grins~

I sold a WS38MkII last week...just taking some pics of a nice FS6 that's next on the block.

Beautifully made Signal generator by Ferris. high end WW2 kit.

I've photographed that beautiful valve allot..trying to capture those electrons as they leap around.
As I said, too much test kit'.

don't let age bother you .. you can still get up in the morning

[things_green]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

don't let age bother you .. you can still get up in the morning

I'm not in the least concerned.....just being practical.

1950s Mil Spec Absorption Wattmeter by Marconi