The AM Forum

Has anyone ever replaced the 6E5 tuning eye with  another indicator like a meter?
 I know they did with the lll version, but i still have the ll with a bad 6e5.

                                            just curious W2NNG john

6E5 tubes are available on EBAY. Replace it and add the meter elsewhere. The magic eye was part of the charm on the one I used in the 60s for Civil Defense nets on 2 meters, so why lose that magical glow? 😉 MB

Those tubes have the functionality and charm as a lump of coal on a bad day.

John: I see no reason why you couldn't implement similar meter circuitry from the Comm III into the Comm II. Probably the biggest problem would be finding a meter that has a cosmetic blend into the front panel and enough behind the front panel space.

The "Magic Eye" is a unique facet of vacuum tube history, so I would keep it.

To drive a meter requires an extra current amplification stage tapped off (sampling) the AVC line.

Phil-AC0OB

If it's so "unique" why did Gonset get rid of it with the Gonset III? Unless the plan is to use this 60+ year old piece of equipment as a museum piece  :D  mods (with hammer, chisel, drill, iron, etc.) might make this thing more useful.

A 6J6 or 12AU7 can easily implement a S-meter circuit. A germanium diode to sample the RF output can also be used to get a relative RF output reading on the meter.

Too many "museum" or 'shelf queen" equipment collecting dust all over the world. People reliving their youth  :o or the way it was back then(whenever), but, in reality you can't go back no matter how hard you try!  ;D

Think of the 6E5 as the eye of HAL except the 6E5 blinks.