[Elecraft] Very OT - Anyone have experience using LEDs for meter backlighting?

[Tom Hammond]

PLEASE REPLY OFF-REFLECTOR...!!

I'm undertaking a project to replace the much too costly tiny plug-in meter
lamps in my Alpha 76 amp with a PC board 'light bar' using LEDs.

So far, I think I've determined that LEDs with diffused lenses will probably
be too dim, not illuminating the meter scale adequately, and I've certainly
determined that hi-output clear lens LEDs create a 1/2" 'spot' on the meter
scale unless a semi-opaque filter (even a sheet of typing paper) is inserted
between the LED and the back of the meter.

The LEDs will be about 3/4" behind the meter scales, so I don't have a lot
of spacing to work with.

Anyone who has had success (or failure) with trying to do something similar,
I would appreciate hearing from you OFF-REFLECTOR.

I'm about to place an LED order with Mouser Electronics, but if you can give
me some "BUY" or "DON'T BUY" suggestions, I'll certainly take them to heart
BEFORE I place the order.

Thanks,

Tom   N0SS