Oscillator / frequency counter question - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

agardiner · 19th Jun 2022, 8:49 am

Mods - apologies if this is in the wrong section; please move as needed.

So, we all know the trick of picking up whether the local oscillator is running on a set by placing another radio close by.

However, has anyone tried a frequency counter like one of these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325187790...gAAOSwuQNifh1C

As this device uses an aerial instead of direct connection, it strikes me that if it worked it could be a useful little additional to a workshop's test equipment, as it would in theory allow you to read what the actual frequency of the oscillator was, regardless of AM/FM etc.

agardiner · 19th Jun 2022, 8:52 am

PS - I am not affiliated in any way to the ebay listing. It appears fairly generic; there are plenty of sellers with the same or similar product.

Nuvistor · 19th Jun 2022, 10:49 pm

The one in the link is 50Mhz to 2.4Ghz so would not be any use for the usual AM frequencies LW/MW/SW.

Aub · 19th Jun 2022, 11:08 pm

I have a similar counter made by a company called Watson. I've had it since 1998. Has a telescopic aerial and picks up my transmitter well. For small signals though, I use a direct connection. Cost about £60 back then if memory serves. The rechargeable battery no longer holds change and I have to use the mains power supply.

Cheers

Aub

Cruisin Marine · 20th Jun 2022, 12:12 am

A Frequency counter is usually by practical design needs a fairly high level of input, and would need a direct or loop coupled connection to get a useful reading unless it is near a transmitter, the chances of reading the frequency via a whip antenna of what freq. a local oscillator is on would be practically nil.

Unless of there are some units I have never discovered that can prove me wrong of course.

agardiner · 20th Jun 2022, 8:53 am

Sorry; yes I realise this one starts at 50Mhz, but there are similar models that go much lower.

So far, the consensus is a now from the whip antenna. That was my feelings to be honest, just interested if anyone had tried and found otherwise.

Aub · 20th Jun 2022, 9:14 am

Some pics of the Watson

Radio Wrangler · 20th Jun 2022, 11:03 am

All Watson means is that it was imported into the UK by WATers and StantON, and they had whoever made it stick their brand name on it.

Likely the same thing will appear under several brands.

David

Aub · 20th Jun 2022, 11:56 am

Yes, I probably bought it from their stand at a rally.

Cheers

Aub

Radio Wrangler · 20th Jun 2022, 1:31 pm

A lot of frequency counters throw out garbage at all sorts of frequencies, backwards, out of their input connector. This gets into signal generators and contaminates their output. If you run into funnies, try disconnecting your counter to see if things improve.

David

jhalphen · 25th Jun 2022, 8:36 am

Hi to all,

The Watson frequency counter OEM manufacturer is Optoelectronics inc. in the USA.
The company still exists today:

https://www.optoelectronics.com/frequency-counters

I have one of their models covering 50Hz-2.8GHz :
https://www.optoelectronics.com/m1-m1-tcxo-1

Product quality is really a cut above cheap Chinese frequency counters.

No ties whatsoever to this company

Best Regards
jhalphen
Paris/France

19th Jun 2022, 8:49 am	#1
agardiner Octode Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Thetford, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 1,741	Oscillator / frequency counter question Mods - apologies if this is in the wrong section; please move as needed. So, we all know the trick of picking up whether the local oscillator is running on a set by placing another radio close by. However, has anyone tried a frequency counter like one of these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325187790...gAAOSwuQNifh1C As this device uses an aerial instead of direct connection, it strikes me that if it worked it could be a useful little additional to a workshop's test equipment, as it would in theory allow you to read what the actual frequency of the oscillator was, regardless of AM/FM etc.

19th Jun 2022, 8:52 am	#2
agardiner Octode Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Thetford, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 1,741	Re: Oscillator / frequency counter question PS - I am not affiliated in any way to the ebay listing. It appears fairly generic; there are plenty of sellers with the same or similar product.

19th Jun 2022, 10:49 pm	#3
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,431	Re: Oscillator / frequency counter question The one in the link is 50Mhz to 2.4Ghz so would not be any use for the usual AM frequencies LW/MW/SW. __________________ Frank

19th Jun 2022, 11:08 pm	#4
Aub Nonode Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire, UK. Posts: 2,038	Re: Oscillator / frequency counter question I have a similar counter made by a company called Watson. I've had it since 1998. Has a telescopic aerial and picks up my transmitter well. For small signals though, I use a direct connection. Cost about £60 back then if memory serves. The rechargeable battery no longer holds change and I have to use the mains power supply. Cheers Aub __________________ Life's a long song, but the tune ends too soon for us all.

20th Jun 2022, 12:12 am	#5
Cruisin Marine Heptode Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 989	Re: Oscillator / frequency counter question A Frequency counter is usually by practical design needs a fairly high level of input, and would need a direct or loop coupled connection to get a useful reading unless it is near a transmitter, the chances of reading the frequency via a whip antenna of what freq. a local oscillator is on would be practically nil. Unless of there are some units I have never discovered that can prove me wrong of course. Last edited by Cruisin Marine; 20th Jun 2022 at 12:23 am.

20th Jun 2022, 8:53 am	#6
agardiner Octode Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Thetford, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 1,741	Re: Oscillator / frequency counter question Sorry; yes I realise this one starts at 50Mhz, but there are similar models that go much lower. So far, the consensus is a now from the whip antenna. That was my feelings to be honest, just interested if anyone had tried and found otherwise.

20th Jun 2022, 9:14 am	#7
Aub Nonode Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire, UK. Posts: 2,038	Re: Oscillator / frequency counter question Some pics of the Watson Attached Thumbnails __________________ Life's a long song, but the tune ends too soon for us all.

20th Jun 2022, 11:03 am	#8
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,858	Re: Oscillator / frequency counter question All Watson means is that it was imported into the UK by WATers and StantON, and they had whoever made it stick their brand name on it. Likely the same thing will appear under several brands. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

20th Jun 2022, 11:56 am	#9
Aub Nonode Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire, UK. Posts: 2,038	Re: Oscillator / frequency counter question Yes, I probably bought it from their stand at a rally. Cheers Aub __________________ Life's a long song, but the tune ends too soon for us all.

20th Jun 2022, 1:31 pm	#10
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,858	Re: Oscillator / frequency counter question A lot of frequency counters throw out garbage at all sorts of frequencies, backwards, out of their input connector. This gets into signal generators and contaminates their output. If you run into funnies, try disconnecting your counter to see if things improve. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

25th Jun 2022, 8:36 am	#11
jhalphen Hexode Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Paris, France Posts: 350	Re: Oscillator / frequency counter question Hi to all, The Watson frequency counter OEM manufacturer is Optoelectronics inc. in the USA. The company still exists today: https://www.optoelectronics.com/frequency-counters I have one of their models covering 50Hz-2.8GHz : https://www.optoelectronics.com/m1-m1-tcxo-1 Product quality is really a cut above cheap Chinese frequency counters. No ties whatsoever to this company Best Regards jhalphen Paris/France