[Boatanchors] BC-DA-153 wavemeter

[howard holden]

Looking for some history or usage for this critter. It covers 75 to 1500 Kc in three bands, has a buzzer and according to the schematic on the cover had a galvanometer (cleverly replaced by someone other than me with a micro-ammeter), so it can be used not only to read a transmitter's frequency, it can also produce a broad signal for receiver tuning. The one I have was made by Joseph Kriz Co., Washington DC, on  contract # 7719-NY-33, serial nr 8. It was calibrated as late as 1967. I've seen a photo of one other, made by the Cardwell Co.

Any ideas on where it would have been used? Why such an early and crude device would have been maintained as late as the mid 60s??? Google and other searches turn up precious little. 

Thanks for looking!

Howie WB2AWQ