Gonset communicator ll

[W2NNG]

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

[K9MB]

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

[Pete, WA2CWA]

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.

[DMOD]

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

[Pete, WA2CWA]

The "Magic Eye" is 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    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  or the way it was back then(whenever), but, in reality you can't go back no matter how hard you try! 

[DMOD]

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