Wavemeter Type W1191 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

jord43 · 19th Aug 2006, 8:00 pm

Hi,

I’ve recently acquired a Wavemeter Type W1191, Ref No. 1OT/31, Serial No. B.R.73
It doesn’t work and in truth I’m not sure what it should do (I belive its test equipment for picking up what frequencies are transmitted?

) I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction to find out more about it and possibly to repair it, I haven’t been able to find anything of value on the internet so far. I have a fair working knowledge of electronics, just not radio type stuff. Any help for someone with NO idea would be very much appreciated.

Many thanks
Jordan

jim_beacon · 19th Aug 2006, 8:53 pm

There are a few references on the web, for example:
http://www.vq5x79.f2s.com/greenradio...ss.html#21cccd
It is a battery powered wavemeter, inteneded for use with transmitters for checking frequency, and receivers for setting frequency accurately.
I have one here (somewhere), but haven't looked at it yet - I believe it is a heterodyne type wavemeter (a crystal oscillator is used to calibrate a variable frequency (LC) oscillator), and the VFO is used to beat against the transmitter signal (beat heard in phones connected to the wavemeter), or to provide a calibration signal to the input of a receiver.

From memory, they originally used 4V and 120V batteries, but I may be wrong on that. It is also common for battery wavemeters to be rebuilt with mains supplies, which may invole changing the valves for 6V heater versions.

Jim.

jord43 · 19th Aug 2006, 10:30 pm

Thats great, thanks Jim, especially what its used for!

I'd found that site but nothing more indepth, for example circuit diagrams etc. It looks like the old power supply wires have been removed (i think that it originally ran off a 60V dry cell) but otherwise it appears fairly intact inside, as well as seemingly original wiring, components etc.

Sorry to keep asking questions but do you know where I'd be able to get circuit diagrams/manuals for it? do I need any specialist equipment to bring it back up to working order (outside of a normal electrical kit, DMM etc).

jim_beacon · 19th Aug 2006, 11:55 pm

Jordan,

so long as you have a power supply that will provide the relevant voltages, all you need is a standard multimeter and a good general coverage receiver (to check the calibration). I think they were originally supplied with a calibration chart, which you may have to recreate.

There is a diagram about somewhere (Mauritron may have one, but it won't be cheap!), or you could try the RAF museum at Hendon (variable results, depending on who you ask).

I'll see if I can find mine this week, and I'll have a look inside.

Jim.

GMB · 20th Aug 2006, 10:16 am

I believe that W1191 1OT/31 did not come with a calibration chart, the dial is the calibration. The W1191A had a separate chart.

I'm sure that RAF museum at Hendon will have a manual, I've never failed to get what I want there.

jord43 · 29th Aug 2006, 7:45 pm

That's brilliant thanks very much guys!

19th Aug 2006, 8:00 pm	#1
jord43 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Worcester Posts: 3	Wavemeter Type W1191 Hi, I’ve recently acquired a Wavemeter Type W1191, Ref No. 1OT/31, Serial No. B.R.73 It doesn’t work and in truth I’m not sure what it should do (I belive its test equipment for picking up what frequencies are transmitted? ) I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction to find out more about it and possibly to repair it, I haven’t been able to find anything of value on the internet so far. I have a fair working knowledge of electronics, just not radio type stuff. Any help for someone with NO idea would be very much appreciated. Many thanks Jordan

19th Aug 2006, 10:30 pm	#3
jord43 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Worcester Posts: 3	Re: Wavemeter Type W1191 Thats great, thanks Jim, especially what its used for! I'd found that site but nothing more indepth, for example circuit diagrams etc. It looks like the old power supply wires have been removed (i think that it originally ran off a 60V dry cell) but otherwise it appears fairly intact inside, as well as seemingly original wiring, components etc. Sorry to keep asking questions but do you know where I'd be able to get circuit diagrams/manuals for it? do I need any specialist equipment to bring it back up to working order (outside of a normal electrical kit, DMM etc). Last edited by Darren-UK; 11th Dec 2012 at 1:46 pm.

19th Aug 2006, 11:55 pm	#4
jim_beacon Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bishop's Waltham, Hants, UK. Posts: 939	Re: Wavemeter Type W1191 Jordan, so long as you have a power supply that will provide the relevant voltages, all you need is a standard multimeter and a good general coverage receiver (to check the calibration). I think they were originally supplied with a calibration chart, which you may have to recreate. There is a diagram about somewhere (Mauritron may have one, but it won't be cheap!), or you could try the RAF museum at Hendon (variable results, depending on who you ask). I'll see if I can find mine this week, and I'll have a look inside. Jim.

20th Aug 2006, 10:16 am	#5
GMB Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: near Reading (and sometimes Torquay) Posts: 3,094	Re: Wavemeter Type W1191 I believe that W1191 1OT/31 did not come with a calibration chart, the dial is the calibration. The W1191A had a separate chart. I'm sure that RAF museum at Hendon will have a manual, I've never failed to get what I want there.

29th Aug 2006, 7:45 pm	#6
jord43 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Worcester Posts: 3	Re: Wavemeter Type W1191 That's brilliant thanks very much guys!

19th Aug 2006, 8:53 pm	#2
jim_beacon Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bishop's Waltham, Hants, UK. Posts: 939	Re: Wavemeter Type W1191 There are a few references on the web, for example: http://www.vq5x79.f2s.com/greenradio...ss.html#21cccd It is a battery powered wavemeter, inteneded for use with transmitters for checking frequency, and receivers for setting frequency accurately. I have one here (somewhere), but haven't looked at it yet - I believe it is a heterodyne type wavemeter (a crystal oscillator is used to calibrate a variable frequency (LC) oscillator), and the VFO is used to beat against the transmitter signal (beat heard in phones connected to the wavemeter), or to provide a calibration signal to the input of a receiver. From memory, they originally used 4V and 120V batteries, but I may be wrong on that. It is also common for battery wavemeters to be rebuilt with mains supplies, which may invole changing the valves for 6V heater versions. Jim.