[Boatanchors] Johnson Navigator Meter Question - Many Thanks for your Advice!

[whitebear1122 at comcast.net]

I received several replies on list and several more replies off list.  I want to thank everyone for your great advice and guidance.  I really appreciate your help here!!!  

Here are my thoughts on all the responses.  A few guys suggested that I leave the original meter in, bring the meter connections outside and run them to an external meter mounted in a box.  Good idea, that thought hadn't occurred to me.

There were a couple of guys recommending the Drake 4 series meter.  At first I struggled to visualize this, only because I've never seen a standalone Drake meter.  When I saw a photo (thanks Joe KB9R) of a Drake meter in the Navigator, I was blown away by the similarity.

Several guys recommended the Ranger 1 meter or similar with the black bakelite (a la Collins, Heathkit), some with the original Ranger 1 meter scale and some with white scales.  Wow those actually look great and looks like they belong there.

A couple fellows suggested a new meter that looks similar.  That is a good idea also.  I have not looked heavily into this yet although I have seen some on eBay that look good.

I think the Drake option looks the closest although the Ranger 1 or similar bakelite meter option is a very close 2nd and looks great also.  I was worried that there would be no good options so I am delighted to have infact several options that are really good.  Many thanks for all the guys here for your help.

Does anyone have a Drake meter for sale?  😊

Thanks.  73, Scott WA9WFA