[Collins] KWM2A meter back light

[Dr. Gerald N. Johnson]

As far as I know the KWM2A meter face is solid metal. The only light 
that gets there is by reflection off the sides of the case and the glass 
plus what shines through the glass from the glow of the operator's eyes 
or room light. The MS15571-2 lamp in the latest manual is a civilian 
type 47 lamp. other lamps will fit, but draw different currents and put 
out different amounts of light. If the radio is running on 12 or 24 
volts for the heaters (e.g. mobile, not on 516F-2) type 47 should be in 
both lamp sockets to keep the voltage distribution the same as designed. 
A type 44 will fit, will run hotter and will put out more light drawing 
.25 amp vs .15 amp for the 47. There are other higher power lamps that 
will fit also but the meter doesn't really need a lot of added heat. 
There may some difference in light level from different lamp makers 
placing the filament further from or closer to the lamp base. Sometimes 
off shore makers ignore such details while ignoring other lamp 
properties, such as light output and rated current.

Light does show through the frequency dial.

73, Jerry, K0CQ, Technical Adviser to the Collins Radio Association.

On 11/16/2013 1:16 PM, rick gouge wrote:
> Hello. I have a KWM2A with very poor meter back lighting. The light shows
> around the edges and at the bottom of the meter where the meter arm base is
> with nothing showing on the face at all and this is in the darken room. Is
> the light  not suppost to show through the meter face? Rick VE7RiK
>
>