AWA Signal Generator Type R7231

Rectangular shaped metal AWA signal generator Type R7231 with an integral AWA power supply unit type H8826 attached to one side. On the upper middle edge of the generator is stamped 'SIGNAL GENERATOR / AWA logo / TYPE R7231 SERIAL NO.1'. Chipped olive green paint cover all external sides of the generator and power supply. A natural metal carry handle is on each long end of the object, these handles appear lightly pitted. There is a centrally mounted rotating natural metal disc 210 mm in diameter with increments for wavelengths around the edge. Within this disc is a 98 mm diameter black Bakelite disc and a hand operated wheel of 75 mm diameter is attached to this disc which is used to rotate the larger metal disc in minute increments. A clear piece of Perspex with red and black lines and numbers is mounted above the largest metal disc which gives the appropriate reading. On the top left of the signal generator is where a 52 mm x 28 mm plate was removed. Next to this removed plate is a black bakelite edged white faced instrument gauge of 85 mm diameter for 'Modulation Percentage' with a centrally mounted red arrow. Within this gauge is 'RS503' and 'SERIAL NO. 5920'. On the upper right of the signal generator is another black bakelite edged white faced instrument gauge of 80 mm diameter titled 'INDICATOR'. Within this gauge is 'RS503 AJS' and 'SERIAL NO.17622'. To the lower right of this instrument gauge is a black 30 mm diameter dial with 'SET ZERO' stamped below. On the lower left of the signal generator is a 75 mm diameter round metal dial with 'RANGE' stamped above. Within this dial is a black bakelite hand operated dial with crimped edges. Below this dial are a pair of inlets vertically arranged for 'EXTERNAL MODULATION' and a 30 mm diameter black bakelite dial with 'EXT.INT.OFF' stamped next to it. A natural metal toggle switch is vertically mounted with 'MODULATION SWITCH' stamped beside. On the lower right of the signal generator is a 72 mm diameter natural metal dial with 'OUTPUT MULTIPLIER' stamped in black along the lower edge. Above the dial is a small natural metal tab with 'A/B'. Within this dial is a 72 mm diameter black bakelite hand operated dial with crimped edges. Below this dial is an small 'R.F. INPUT' inlet and a vertically mounted pair of metal inlets with 'EARTH' stamped between the pair. The under surface is heavily scratched and has several holes for mounting onto a base or baseplate. On the front of the power supply unit is the AWA logo and 'POWER SUPPLY UNIT' stamped in white below. A small horizontally mounted natural metal handle is above this logo. A plastic insulated electrical power supply lead is mounted from the lower front right of the power supply unit. A toggle switch for turning the power supply unit on or off is above this lead . A 5 mm diameter red coloured indicator light next to the toggle allows the operator to know if the generator has been turned on or off. Four 8 mm flat head screws with 12 mm washers are along the rear bottom surface. There are nine vertically arranged rectangular shaped cooling louvres on the rear right surface of the signals generator.

Viktor Aleksandrovich Amerikov was born on the 22 July 1918 at Ekaterinoslav Ukraine. He was a Prisoner of War in Germany from 7 April 1942 to 5 March 1945, whilst there he worked as an electrician. He departed Naples Italy on 20 February 1949 and arrived in Sydney Australia on the 20 March 1949.

On migrating to Australia he was classified as an international refugee and held this status until the 7 June 1951 where he was given a Certificate of Authority to remain in Australia with his wife and daughter. In 1956 Viktor and his family became Australian citizens. His second daughter Suzanna Amerikow was born in 1959. His career as an electrician spanned from 1951 to 1983 where he worked for the following companies: Australian Glass Manufacturers Company P/L; Thom & Smith Ltd; AWA Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) LTD; Admiral of Australia P/L; Bandix Electronics; H.G. Palmers; Swift & Bleakly P/L and Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board.

Viktor acquired this AWA Signal Generator while working for AWA in Sydney. Amalgamated Wireless Australasia Limited (AWA) was Australia's largest and most prominent manufacturer of radio, telecommunications and audio equipment throughout most of the 20th century. Their customers included the Australian Defence Force during and after the Second World War. This AWA signal generator was used after the Second World War as a test set for maintenance work and was made for a military order.