S-Meter repair?
 

I recently overhauled a quite nice RME 45A. All's well with it now,
except for the S-meter... its dead open. Seems that B+ was apparently
routed across it owing to some defective associated components. I did
find another S-meter that works fine but its not quite as vintage. I'm
curious if repair is possible and economically feasible and, if so, whom
might I contact. Thanks much.

S-Meter repair?
 

Yes, there are analog meter repair centers.

Do you know who originally made the meter?

g. beat
w9gb


"K3HVG" wrote in message
. ..
I recently overhauled a quite nice RME 45A. All's well with it now, except
for the S-meter... its dead open. Seems that B+ was apparently routed
across it owing to some defective associated components. I did find another
S-meter that works fine but its not quite as vintage. I'm curious if
repair is possible and economically feasible and, if so, whom might I
contact. Thanks much.

S-Meter repair?
 

Yes, the case is marked "Marion Electric Instrument". I recognize the
name.....

Jeep/K3HVG

w9gb wrote:
Yes, there are analog meter repair centers.

Do you know who originally made the meter?

g. beat
w9gb

S-Meter repair?
 

Yes, the case is marked "Marion Electric Instrument". I recognize the
name.....

Jeep/K3HVG

w9gb wrote:
Yes, there are analog meter repair centers.

Do you know who originally made the meter?

g. beat
w9gb

S-Meter repair?
 

"K3HVG" wrote in message
. ..
I recently overhauled a quite nice RME 45A. All's well
with it now, except for the S-meter... its dead open.
Seems that B+ was apparently routed across it owing to some
defective associated components. I did find another S-meter
that works fine but its not quite as vintage. I'm curious
if repair is possible and economically feasible and, if so,
whom might I contact. Thanks much.


Is it possible the meter movement might fit the older
case?


--
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA

S-Meter repair?
 

Richard Knoppow wrote:


Is it possible the meter movement might fit the older
case?


Actually, the "new" meter fits the hole and looks about the same type.
The differences are that the RME has a yellow, logo'd, back-lit scale,
whereas the new meter has a white face. Both have "S" scales. Maybe I
should simply count blessings and press on?

S-Meter repair?
 

"K3HVG" wrote in message
...
Richard Knoppow wrote:


Is it possible the meter movement might fit the older
case?


Actually, the "new" meter fits the hole and looks about
the same type. The differences are that the RME has a
yellow, logo'd, back-lit scale, whereas the new meter has
a white face. Both have "S" scales. Maybe I should
simply count blessings and press on?


Will the old scale fit into the new meter? If its back
illuminated the lamp would have to fit into the case.


--
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA

S-Meter repair?
 

K3HVG wrote:
Richard Knoppow wrote:


Is it possible the meter movement might fit the older case?


Actually, the "new" meter fits the hole and looks about the same type.
The differences are that the RME has a yellow, logo'd, back-lit scale,
whereas the new meter has a white face. Both have "S" scales. Maybe I
should simply count blessings and press on?

Some meters, particularly the older ones, can be disassembled. In this
case you may be able to swap parts until you have a working one with the
right appearance, and a pile of useless parts that look like they could
be from a meter.

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" gives you just what it says.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

S-Meter repair?
 

Yep, good ideas and I'll explore the possibility. If the face will
mount on the new meter, I can probably do without the back-lit feature.
Or...if I'm real clever, and the way is clear, I could drill and
grommet bush a lamp into the case. I was able to trick-bag a
hallicrafters meter that way, so maybe this one too? I'll have a look?

de Jeep/K3HVG.

Tim Wescott wrote:
K3HVG wrote:
Richard Knoppow wrote:


Is it possible the meter movement might fit the older case?


Actually, the "new" meter fits the hole and looks about the same type.
The differences are that the RME has a yellow, logo'd, back-lit scale,
whereas the new meter has a white face. Both have "S" scales. Maybe
I should simply count blessings and press on?

Some meters, particularly the older ones, can be disassembled. In this
case you may be able to swap parts until you have a working one with the
right appearance, and a pile of useless parts that look like they could
be from a meter.

S-Meter repair?
 

Look at these web pages in how to make custom or reproduction meter faces.

K8CU - As shown in October 2002 issue of QST magazine
http://www.realhamradio.com/Meter.htm

James Tonne, WB6BLD
Tonne Software's Meter application graphically creates your own meter face!
Trial version of software is FREE
http://www.tonnesoftware.com/meter.html

Meter Application Note #1 with photos showing process steps
http://www.tonnesoftware.com/meterappnote1.html

w9gb

S-Meter repair?
 

KR6LP - Lake Perris QRP Society
Another approach using Paint Shop Pro
http://www.qsl.net/kr6lp/meter.html

Backlighting with an LED (S-meter)
http://www.pan-tex.net/usr/r/receivers/elrsmeter.htm

S-Meter repair?
 

W9GB wrote:
KR6LP - Lake Perris QRP Society
Another approach using Paint Shop Pro
http://www.qsl.net/kr6lp/meter.html

Backlighting with an LED (S-meter)
http://www.pan-tex.net/usr/r/receivers/elrsmeter.htm

I find LED backlighting an interesting topic in itself. When attempting to
replace the burned-out grain-of-wheat lamps in my Kenwood TS-120S with LEDs,
I found the dispersion angle such that it didn't illuminate the entire
scale -- only a spot in the middle. A friend (service manager for a local
pro sound dealer) then mentioned, "just grind or file the lens on the LED,
and the dispersion angle will increase a lot". The next time I need to
replace lamps, I'll do that.

Also in regard to LED backlighting, I learned that not all white LEDs are
created equal. Most emit a bluish-white light, and are rather pricey
compared to other colors (even compared to blue LEDs). Just this week, in
refitting a ring light for a microscope with white LEDs where I work, I
found a pretty good lamp that's handled by Mouser (http://www.mouser.com/).
It's called a "warm white" LED, T1¾ package, and is only $1.00/ea. Search
for stock #889-LM560.

Vy 73,
Bryan WA7PRC