what the heck is a Namiki DF-100 Direction Finder


I was at salvation army (which is a sometime bountiful hunting ground for ancient audio) and I found a Namiki DF-100 Direction Finder. It's a small, blue metal box about 5 x 2 inches. On the back is Japanese writing and an a diagram of an amp and cord. There are two buttons on the front and 4 indicator lights. Anyone have any idea what this thing is? How to work it? Thanks tons
kolledog

Showing 1 response by radioman390

Tbg writes:
"You can accomplish the same using a volt meter and a contact to ground. You touch the chassis or a grounded part and go with the lowest reading."

I beg to differ. When you check leakage against ground, as you suggest, you're measuring "leakage against ground", which is helpful, but this is NOT what the DF-100 does.

It does not measure "against" anything. It is a single lead sampling device that detects an electrostatic field. Since these fields can have the equivalent "zap" power of several kV, it is helpful to minimize these, especially to protect solid-state electronics.

But truthfully, I don't quite understand how it works.

I've discussed my theories in my current EBay listing (I'm selling mine), but I must admit that I'm perplexed how it detects "proper polarity", with no ground connection.

Could this be a really advanced gadget that is not recognized because of lousy instructions? Or quackery?