[Boatanchors] How did they "pinpoint" frequencies way back when?

[Dave Roscoe]

Dear Phil et al:

I was too young for WW II, but did serve aboard in Aircraft Carrier in
Korean era from 1953-1956.

I spent a lot of time as an ET , hanging around in radio rooms. My
impression was that the RM's used a number of LM freq meters to set up their
receivers on definite frequencies , by zero-beating. We had an LM in almost
every radio space aboard  (13).  They are a heterodyne type meter, that used
a small  ring-leaf booklet, that was supplied by the manufacturer with
calibrated dial readings, corresponding to frequency output. Each booklet
was dedicated to its unique unit.  I am sure you are familiar with them.
Built in a bullet-proof cube-shaped case, with similar power supply box. The
Army had an equivalent BC-221 model.

Dave W1DWZ

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Philip Atchley" <beaconeer@elite.net>
To: <boatanchors@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, April 10, 2004 10:46 PM
Subject: [Boatanchors] How did they "pinpoint" frequencies way back when?


> Hello again,
> Something I've wondered about.  Back in the old days of, say WW II.  How
did
> "intercept ops" accurately set their receivers for expected incoming
> messages?  Say that they expected a message from "Agent X" of the French
> underground on 6003 KC (I pulled that from the air).  How did the operator
> in England know they were actually listening on 6003.  After all, the
agent
> couldn't risk long "on air" time calling CQ.  (I presume the transmitter
> used by "Agent X" was Xtal controlled and could be used to also zero beat
> the agents receiver to the same freq).   I'd say Xtal controlled
receivers,
> but most of the receivers of the era seem to be VFO controlled.  In this
day
> of everything digital it'd be no problem, but what about the old "drifty"
> days?   I know England used the BBC to send coded messages but the French
> Underground didn't have that luxury.
>
> 73 from the "Beaconeers Lair".
> Phil, KO6BB
>
> DX begins at the noise floor!
> Merced, Central California
> 37.18N  120.29W  CM97sh
>
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