Another forgotten and ingenious bit of tech from the glorious 20th Century! How do you precisely detect and display a frequency without counting? I take a look at and inside this beauty to find out. Enjoy!
Join Team FranLab!!!! Become a patron and help support my YouTube Channel on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/frantone
#analog #meter #mystery
- Music by Fran Blanche -

Frantone on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/frantone/
Fran on Twitter - https://twitter.com/contourcorsets
Fran's Science Blog - http://www.frantone.com/designwritings/design_writings.html
FranArt Website - http://www.contourcorsets.com

By Fran

13 thoughts on “The spooky action of mechanical frequency meters”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Justin Case says:

    Very cool.

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ScarlettJoe Handsome says:

    I have one. I liken it to a harmonica. I call the tines reeds.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Pierre Laboom says:

    This has been nice to see in action, ive acquired one myself,inadvertently, and like yours it is of great quality. Thank you!

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Weathermann Ax says:

    That would be great for a gas-powered generator as those can vary greatly based on engine speed. To produce AC power at 60 hertz, the engine has to maintain 3,600 rpm.

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Paul T says:

    I like how the dial numbers ascend on the decade and avoid the center faceplate screw.

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars rebecca anderson says:

    spooky rife machine!!!! have you seen??????

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Pascal Bruyere says:

    Really too bad that you could not at least borrow some sort of frequency generator and run a swipe through the frequency range. Or go to a place where there is one.
    It would have been nice to see what it does at say 120Hz, or with a mix of frequencies.
    Also, why is the range 55 to 74Hz, what was the use? Are there some similar instruments going higher or lower?

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars TheKilgore666 says:

    nice one :).

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Nettlebed7 says:

    uhm, if we are in the analog domain already: power drill + bicycle dynamo + 130V/6V AC transformer connected the wrong way (transforming up). That should give a usable rpm range.

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars JohnnyJim J says:

    Great! I remember one from I was in school… But I must be getting old, I thought all the tines would vibrate except for the one that's in phase, lol…

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars George Luft says:

    Yay, New Haven!! Looks like JBT Instruments was dissolved in 1994.

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars EnergeticWaves says:

    try it during the day at peak use time and at 3am you might see a difference in hz

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars NJ Phil says:

    Is that radioactive lume on those tabs?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.