OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

FOR
TYPE 615- A
HETERODYNE FREQUENCY
METER

GENERAL RADIO COMPANY

CAMBRIDGE A, MASSACHUSETTS
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Page

l Electrical Characteristics l

2 Accessories 2

3 Installation 2

4 Theory of Operation 4

5 Operation 5

6 General ll

7 Typical Performance Data 12

8 Photograph 13

9 Figures and diagrams

Figure 2 14
Figure 3 15
Figure 4 16
 PURPOSE
This instrument is intended for use as a calibrated fre-
quency meter in measuring the frequencies of radio transmitters,
receivers, and received signals. It will hold its calibration
within close limits over a long period of time, but for accurate
results it is recommended that the calibration be checked fre-
quently. Suggestions for checking the calibration will be found
in Section 5, page 5. It can also be used as an interpolation
device in conjunction with a harmonic frequency standard·.

l. ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
1.1 Frequency Range
This instrument consists of a heterodyne oscillator and
detector. The oscillator covers the frequency range from 275 kc
to 5000 kc in ll steps. A precision-type balanced condenser
giving straight-line-frequency variation is used io adjust the
frequency of the oseillator.
1.2 Oscillator: Frequency Stability with Supply Voltage
Variation
The oscillator tube is a UX-232 screen-grid tube, em-
ployed in a voltage-compensated circuit so that fluctuations in
supply voltages produce only minor changes in frequency. Chang-
es in plate•supply voltage of ±9 volts result in frequency chang-
es of less than ±0.01 per cent. Changes in filament voltage of
±o.l volt produce less than ±0.01 per cent change in frequency.
Of the twoy the plate-voltage changes are of most interest, since
no means are available for regulating this -supply. A two-range
voltmeter provides means of setting the filament voltage and of
determining the condition of the plate battery. Replace plate
battery when vol.tage falls below 80 volts.
1 .. 3 Detector
The detector tube is conn~cted to the oscillator by
fairly loose resistance coupling~ and is also connected to the
"COUPLING l" binding post on the panel. Connection of any ap-
paratus to the "COUPLING l" post results in negligible frequen-
cy change for the oscillator, at any frequency within its range.
The plate-current meter of the detector indicates, by a decrease
in reading. , whether or not the oscillator is functioning proper-
ly. The oscillator may be stopped by turning the coil-selector
switch to either of the two blank positions. If the detector
plate-current meter reading is then noted, the change when the

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 GENERAL RADIO COMPANY

con-selector switch is turned to any desired range is eas11y

observed. A change of several milliamperes should be obtained
in the lower frequency range; a change of from 0.25 to 1.0 mil-
liampere should be obtained in the high-frequency ranges. When
a signal introduced at the "COUPLING 1" post is of sufficient
intensity, visual beats are indicated by the detector plate-cur-
rent meter, if the frequency of the heterodyne is within a few
cycles of zero beat with the introduced frequency.
1.4 Temperature Effects
Figure 2 shows the temperature coefficient of frequency
and the manner in which this varies over the range of the oscil-
lator co ils and tuning condenser. The value read directly from
the curve for .a given dial setting may be thought of as the
change in dial reading. produced by one degree C. change ~tem­
perature from the calibrating temperature. If the change in tem-
perature is several degrees, the value read from the curve must
be multiplied by the number of degrees change in temperature to
obtain the correction for the dial readings. An alignment chart
Figure 3 , page 15 is provided for this purpose . (See paragraphs
5.7 to 5.12 inclusive) .

2. ACCESSORIES
2.1 Power Supply
The power supply of this equipment normally consists of
batteries contained within the case~ Batteries required are as
follows:
Filament supply: Two 6-inch dry cells
Plate supply: Two 45-volt vertical B
batteries (Burgess No . 5308,
or equivalent, with standard
insulated cap nuts)

3. INSTALLATION.
3.1 To Pl&ce Equipment in Operation: Using Internal Bat-
teries.
Remove ··cover.
Remove bright nickel screws around top edge of cabinet.
Lift unit out of cabinet.
Insert tubes, UX- 232 in front socket; UX- 230 in rear
socket. Make certain connection to control-grid tip of UX-232

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 GENERAL RADI 0 COMPANY

is made by means or cliP provided,

Insert two #6 dry cells for filament ~attery in space
directly under tubes. Have battery terminals toward front.
Remove thumbscrews and place the sheet of duck bakelite
over the filament battery terminals.
Replace thumbscrews, making connections to battery by
cable provided; black wire is negative, red wire is positive.
Connect batteries in. series using connector wire pro-
vided.
Tighten all connections.
Insert two Burgess No. 5308 Plate Batteries in space at
right end of unit, with terminals toward front.
Connect in series with connector provided.
Connect yellow wire to negative and slate wire to pos-
iti ve.
Test ur:it by throwing filament switch to "ON". Adjust
fi-lament voltage to 2.0 by means of filament rheostat. Check
plate-battery voltage by pressing button on voltmeter. Plate-
battery voltage should be between 80 and 90 volts for proper op-
eration. When it falls below 80 volts, fresh batteries should
be used. The detector-plate meter should read about 7.5 milliam-
peres when the coil-selector switch is placed on one of the
blank switch positions. The meter reading should decrease when
the coil switch is thrown to any coil position. The decrease
will be a few milliamperes for the low-frequency coils and some-
what less at the higher frequencies. (Blank positions on coil
selector switch will be found between taps 4-5 and 8-9).
Throw battery switch to "OFF".
Replace unit in cabinet.
IMPORTANT: Replace and tighten screws holding unit in
cabinet.
3.2 To Place Unit in Operation: Using External Batteries.
The unit may be used with external batteries by using
the battery cable supplied with the equipment. An access open-
ing is orovided in the front of the case.
Remove internal batteries, if these are still in the
cabinet.

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 GENERAL RADIO COMPANY

Remove cover plate.

Remove battery wiring to the three terminals showing
through the opening~
Connect battery cable to these three terminals.
Connect the cable to external batteries. The coding of
the cable may be used as standard, that is, at the apparatus
connect slate to B+ 7 red and yellow to A+, and black to A-. At
tbe batteries connect slate to Bt, yellow to B-, red to A+, and
black to A-~
When the apparatus is to be moved, disconnect battery
cable and cover the access opening.
4. THEORY OF OPERATION
4.1 The apparatus combines two essential elements, a stable
oscillator or adjustable frequency and a detect or, in a form
convenient for use in frequency meas~ements. The oscillator is
especially arranged for permanence (by rugged construction) and
freedom from frequency shifts due to changes in supply voltages
(by voltage compensation). The detector is used to produce aud-
ible beats between the frequencies of the oscillator and some
other oscillator, (such as a transmitter or crystal calibrator).
4.2 The oscillator circuit is a modified form of Colpitts
oscillator, which is inherently one of the most stable types.
The construction of the oscillating circuit is made as rugged as
the requirements of size and weight will permit. Voltage com-
pensation is obtained by properly proportioning the plate and
screen-grid voltages of the oscillator tube, by means of a volt-
age d~vider, so that variations in total plate-supply voltages
produce very small variations in frequency.
4.3 If two alternating voltages, or different frequencies,
are impressed . on a non-linear grid circuit (that is, a circuit
which does not follow Ohm's law) the average grid current will
undergo variations at a rate equal to the difference of the two
frequencies. If the two frequencies are radio frequencies (above
audibility) and the difference between them is made small enough
(within audibility) then the variations in grid bias take place
at an audible rate. These variations are amplified by the tube,
and if telephones are connected in the plate circuit, the plate-
current variations will produce a tone in the telephones. If
the difference between the two frequencies is made very small,
only a very few cycles, then the telephones will no longer re-
spond to the difference, or beat, frequency. In such cases, a

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 GENERAL RADIO COMPANY

meter placed in the plate circuit will indicate by pulsations

the current variations, or beats.
4.4 In the wiring diagram, the power terminals, by-passes,
voltage dividers, meter and regulating rheostats are at the
right. The complete oscillator circuit is given in the center
of the diagram, showing the coil switching. The detector is at
the left, with the "COUPLING l" post providing the means for in-
troducing a voltage from an external oscillator to the detector
grid circuit. The "COUPLING l" post also provides a means or
transferring a voltage from the heterodyne oscillator to an ex-
ternal equipment, such as a receiver. Additional coupling ter-
minals are provided ("COUPLING 2") for obtaining harmonic out-
put. This coupling system consists of a radio-frequency trans-
former connected in the detector plate circuit. Since the de-
tector is a non-linear devicer the radio-frequency current wave
in its plate circuit is highly distorted and contains a number
of harmonic components, the level of Which is sufficient for use
in heterodyning in a receiver.
4~b The compensating condenser C-7, lo·c ated near the coup-
ling binding post, is provided for adjustment of the initial
capacity of the tuned circuit. The condenser is provided with a
screw-driver adjustment, access being obtained by means of a re-
movable spring cover. If the heterodyne oscillator has been cal-
ibrated and a change in initial circuit capacity tal<es place,
the calibration will of course be in error. Such changes may re-
sult from changes in tubes, or changes due to slight displace-
ment of the parts of the instrument relative to each other or
relative to the case. Adjustment of the compensating condenser
so that the reading of the instrument agrees with the original
calibration., will bring all other points into agreement - provid-
ed the change in the circuit was a change in initial capacity.
The compensator will not realign the instrument against changes
in tube characteristics or changes in coil inductances, though
adjustment of the compensator will aid materially in reducing
shifts to other causes than changes in the initial circuit cap-
acity.

5. OPERATION
5.1 Checking Calibration
While the original calibration of the Type 615-A Heter-
odyne Frequency Meter is made with a high degree of accuracy, the
effects of aging in the tuned circuit prevent this accuracy from
being completely realized. For best accuracy, therefore, it is

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 GENERAL RADIO COMPANY

rec~~~ended that the calibration be checked frequently. The

check may be made against a local frequency standard or by means
of standard-frequency radio transmissions or other radio signals
of known accuracy.
5.2 Use of Broadcasting Stations as Standards of Frequency.
Radio broadcasting stations provide a ready means of
checking and standardizing calibrated apparatus. Since the
broadca~t stations are required to stay within 50 cycles of their
assigned frequencies, the least accurate any one of them can leg-
ally be 1s just under 0.01% (50 cycles at 500 kc is 0.0091%).
Actually, broadcast stations are usually much closer than this
figure, and 10 cycles would be a better value.
The Type 615-A Heterodyne Frequency Meter covers the
entire broadcast band so that several calibration points between
550 kc and 1500 kc can be obtained. This is done by tuning in
the broadcast station on a receiver (an oscillating receiver is
preferable) and setting the heterodyne-frequency meter to zero
beat with it. If the receiver can be made to oscillate (the
older types of receivers will all do this), the zero-beat adjust-
ment can be made to within one cycle by using the three-oscillat-
or method described below. If the receiver is of the non-oscil-
lating type, the exact setting can still be made by listening to
the hum, noise, or broadcast program in the output as it is mod-
ulated by the beat between the broadcast station and the heter-
odyne .•
When using broadcast stations as standards, harmoni9
methods must be used to calibrate those portions of the frequency
range which lie outside the broadcast band. Below the broadcast
frequencies, harmonics of the heterodyne-frequency meter can be
made to beat with the broadcast station. For example, if the
broadcast receiver is set to a 1000-kc station, and the frequen-
cy meter is tuned through 500 kc, the second harmonic of the
frequency meter will beat with the station in the broadcast re-
ceiver. Similarly, the third harmonic of 333.3 kc can be used,
the fourth of 250 kc, etc. Using only a few stations, a number
of points can be obtained.
Above the broadcast band, it is necessary to use an os-
cillating receiver.~· If the receiver is adjust9d to zero beat
with the station, its harmonics can be made to beat with the
fundamental of the heterodyne-frequency meter.
*Care should be taken to prevent the oscillating receiver from
radiating and causing interference.

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 GENERAL RADIO COMPANY

If the heterodyne-frequency meter is calibrated when

used, a fairly high accuracy can be obtained. Since the error
in the broadcasting station frequency is nrobably D.005% or less,
and the precision of scale setting is about 0,001%, the over-all
accuracy at the points of calibration. will be approximately
0,006%. When interpolating between two calibration points to
find scale settings corresponding to other frequencies, an error
occurs·CITle to curvature in the frequency versus scale reading
characteristic. This error, for small interpolation intervals
may be as small as 0.002% and, when the calibration points are
widely scattered, can be several times this value. An over-all
accuracy in the vicinity of 0.01% is not impossible, and accur-
acies of 0 , 02% or 0,03% are easily obtained ,
The following table is an example of the calibration
points obtained from two broadcasting stations whose frequencies
were 990 kc and 590 kc respectively.
HETERODYNE-FREQUENCY METER BROADCAST STATION
Frequency Coil Scale Harmonic No . Frequency Harmonic No.
,990 6 391.1 l 990 l
990 5 2204.0 l
495 3 809.3 2
330 l 1507.9 3
1980 8 11882.6 2
2970 10 546.4 3
3960 11 713.0 4
4950 11 2339.2 5

590 3 2118.0 l 590 l

295 l 755.0 2
1180 6 1576.1 2
1770 8 239 .4 3
2360 9 895 .3 4
2950 10 503.9 5
These points were obtained by listening to the broadcast
station in an oscillating receiver, and varying the frequency of
the heterodyne-frequency meter. Whenever a beat tone was heard,
the heterodyne-frequency meter was adjusted to exact zero beat
and the reading was recorded. · Since the broadcasting station
channel frequency was known, the harmonic relations could be de-
termined from the original calibration of the heterodyne-frequen-
cy meter.
Calibration data taken in this way are useful in cor-
recting a calibration curve or, if desired, the scale settings

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 GENERAL RADIO CO~WANY

corresponding to other frequencies can be determined by inter-

polating between two calibration points.
5.3 The Five-Megacycle Transmissions
This procedure is not restricted to the use of broad-
cast sta~ions. Any radio signal known to be accurate may be
used. When the five-megacycle signals of the United States
Bureau of Standards are on the air, these may be used. In check-
ing against five megacycles, the frequency of the heterodyne-
frequency meter is progressively reduced, allowirtg its harmonics
to beat against the five megacycles exactly as when using broad-
cast stations as described above.
5.4 Coupling
In making these checks of the calibrations 7 either COUP-
ling may be used depending on which is the more satisfactory,
In general, "COUPLING l" is used at the fundamental frequency and
"COUPLING 2" at harmoni-c frequencies.
If the standard frequency is sufficiently strong, the
check can be made by listening in the detector of the frequency
meter. A wire connected to the "COUPLING 1" terminal will pro-
vide sufficient coupling on either fundamental or harmonics.
When using a receiver, a wire connected to the "COuP-
LING 1" terminal and brought near the antenna is usually satis-
factory.
To introduce harmonics from "COUPLING 2" into a receiv-
er, the one coupling terminal may be connected to the antenna
terminal of the receiver through a small condenser~ The ground
terminal of the receiver should be grounded.
5.5 To Set a Receiver to a Desired Frequency
Since the radiation from modern oscillating receivers
is small, it is best to listen in the receiver. Start up the
portable heterodyne and adjust it to the checked frequency, mak-
ing correction in the dial reading for any change in temperature
of the instrument (see paragraphs !.7> to 5:12). Adjust the re-
ceiver to zero beat w1 th the frequency of the heterodyne-. Be-
cause of the comparatively great sensitivity of a receiver, very
loose coupling between the receiver and the heterodyne may gen-
erally be used. A wire connected to the heterodyne "COUPLING 1"
post and brought near the receiver antenna terminal is generally
sufficient. If necessary, the wire (insulated) may be wrapped a
few times around the receiver antenna lead to provide larger cap-
acity coupling.

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 GENERAL RADIO COMPANY

5.6 To Measure the Frequency of a Transmitter or Receiver

While this heterodyne-frequency meter was not desi gned
particularly for this purpose, ordinary frequency meter opera-
. tion may be obtained, provided curves are drawn, from suitable
calibration ·points, over the desired range of the instrument as
referred to in paragraph 6.1.
Tune the heterodyne to zero beat with the transmitter
or receiver and note the dial setting. Correction for any change
in temperature of the instrument since calibration should then
be applied to this dial reading before referring to calibration
curves.
In order to compensate the reading when the heterodyne
is used in this manner, it is necessary to REVERSE THE SIGN OF
THE CORRECTION, referred to elsewhare in these instructions. If
the zero beat setting is 1275, for example, and the temperature
has INCREASED over the calibrating temperature, the correction
obtained by reference to Figures 2 and 3 should be SVBTRACTED
from 1275 before determining the measured frequency on the het-
erodyne calibration curves~ If the temperature has DECREASED,
the total correction should be ADDED to 1275 before referring to
calibration curves. DO NOT CONFUSE THIS PROCEDURE AND THE APPLI-
CATION OF CORRECTION WITH EXAMPLES GIVEN IN PARAGRAPHS 5.11 and
5.12.
CORRECTION FOR TEMPERATURE CHANGES
5.7 The curves shown in Figure 2 show the change in dial
reading of the heterodyne necessary to compensate for one degree
Centigrade change in temperature, from the calibrating tempera-
ture (Seuarate curves have been plotted over the range of the
variable condenser for groups of coils).
The frequency of the heterodyne DECREASES (for a given
dial reading), as the temperature is INCREASED from the calibrat-
ing value. And since the instrument is designed to show increasP
in frequency with increasing coil numbers and increasing dial
readings, it is evident that to compensate a given calibrated
dial setting for an INCREASE in temperature (which has actually
decreased the frequency), the dial setting must be INCREASED
(which will increase the frequency), in order to again obtain
the correct calibrated frequency. This is easily remembered, IF
TF:MPF:RATURE INCREASE IS TAKEN AS A POSITIVE CHANGE, THE CORREC-
TION TO THE DIAL READING WILL BE POSITIVE, that is, a certain
number of dial divisions must be added to the calibration setting
in order to compensate the setting and obtain the correct fre-
guency.

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 GENERAL RAD I 0 COMPANY

I f the temperature decreases from the original c alibrat-

ing value, the temperature change is negative and therefore the
dial correction is also negative. (See examples, paragraphs
5.11 and 5.12).
5.8 Since the curves in Figure 2 give only the change in
dial reading per one degree Centigrade, it is necessary to mul-
tiply the value obtained from the curve (for the coil and con-
denser values used) by the number of degrees change in temper-
ature, in order to find the total number of dial divisions change
required. For this purpose, an Alignment Chart shown in Figure
3 has been furnished for convenience.
5.9 Connect the value of "Divisions per degree C" on the
left-hand scale, Figure 3, (as obtained from the curves on Fig-
ure 2) with the value of "Degrees C change" on the right-hand
scale, by a straight line. (The edge of a sheet of paper may be
used for a straight edge). Where the line crosses the "Divisions
Correction" scale, read off the total number or divisions correc-
tion. If the temperature change is positive, the correction is
positive. If the temperature change is negative, the correction
is negative.
5.10 The chart as drawn gives the correction directly for
temperature changes up to ±10 degrees C. If the temperature
change js greater than 10 degrees C, multiply the "Degrees C
change" scale by 10 and the "Divisions Correction" scale by 10.
EXAMPLES OF TEMPERATURE CORRECTIONS
5~11 To apply correction f0r an INCREASE in temperature over
that at which calibrated:
In this example it will be assumed that upon using the
heterodyne, the temperature of the instrument has increased 8.7
degrees C above the temperature -at which calibration was made.
The setting of the heterodyne as calibrated, 1418.0 dial div-
isions on coil 3 for 430 kc. Reference to chart, Figure Z, re-
veals that temperature correction per· degree C on this setting
is 1.26 dial divisions.
Now either multiply 1.26 by 8.7 to obtain the total dial
correction for this frequency at the new .temperature, or for con-
venience use chart, Figure 3, to get this result. Simply point
of! 1.26 on the left-hand scale, and 8.7 on the right..,hand scale,
connecting these two points ~ith a straight edge, the total cor-
rection of 11.0 will be indicated on the center scale.

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 GENERAL RADIO COMPANY

And as this example provides for INCREASE of 8 . 7 de-

grees C, the correction is positive, therefore the correct set-
ting of the heterodyne for 430 kc at the increased temperature
will be 1418.0 + 11.0 • 1429.0.
5.12 To apply correction for DECREASE in temperature from
that at which calibrated:
In this example it will be assumed that upon using the
heterodyne, the temperature of the instrument has decreased 7.3
degrees C from the temperature at which calibration was made .
The setting of the heterodyne as calibrated, 1757.9 dial div-
isions on coil 10 for 3650 kc. Reference to chart, Figure 2,
reveals that temperature correction per degree C for this set-
ting is 0.89 dial divisions.
By reference to chart, Figure 3 , or by multiplication
as explained above in paragrauh 6.tJ, it will be evident that the
total dial correction in this case will be 6. 5 divisions .
But as this example provides for a DECREASE of 7.3 de-
grees C, the correction is negative, therefore the correct set-
ting of the heterodyne for 3650 kc at the decreased temperature
will be 1757.9- 6.5 . 1751.4.

6. GENERAL
6.1 Care of Instrument
The instrument should be h~ndled with reasonable care
if it is expected to give results of best accuracy.
If it is known that the instrument is to be kept in
storage for several months, the batteries should be removed to
prevent . corrosion in battery compartment.
6. 2WARNINGS
Do not operate tube filaments above 2.0 volts if proper
emission and life are to be obtarned.
Be certain that ~ nickel screws around top edge of
cabinet are tight before ch king or using instrument. Any
looseness involves capacity ~hanges in the circuits and will in-
troduce errors in calibratio\ •

~~

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 GENERAL RADIO COMPANY

7. TYPICAL PERFORMANCE DATA

a) Frequency Ranges (kc)
Coil Min Max
1 275 360
2 360 465
3 465 610
4 610 790
5 790 1030
6 1030 1350
7 1350 1735
8 1735 2200
9 2200 2870
10 2870 3800
ll 3800 5000

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GENERAL RADIO COMPANY

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GENERAL RADIO COMPANY

14
 4.01

3.0 i FOIIt USE WITH

TYPE 615-A
HETERODYNE FREQ.UENCY
,.j
40

IF TEMP. CHANGE
2 .5 ~ METER lt!) 15 POSITIVE, THE 10

2.0 ; CORR~CTION I& PO&ITIVE. !I

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RESISTOR VALUES
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CONDENSER VALUES
C I = O.S)otf
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ce = o.sp.f 8 "' ~ TYPE 615A
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C3 = O.OI,u:f :t: HETERODYNE FRE.QUEHCY METER
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