[Heathkit] HW-16 neon lamp?

[Tom NØJMY - AAR7FV]

Well, let me think.  I know it's the crucial component of the 
much-maligned relaxation oscillator for the HW-16's sidetone.  I think I 
broke mine off on purpose.  It doesn't affect anything besides the 
sidetone.   I don't believe it's a NE-2, although I could be wrong.  
What I base that on is the fact that the neon lamp used for 
differential-keying the HG-10/B is a NE-2, with the Heath P/N 412-11.   
The P/N for the sidetone neon lamp in the HW-16 is 412-34. 
(Unfortunately, my HW-16 manual doesn't give the type, it just refers to 
it as a neon lamp).  Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean it's not a 
NE-2, but it doubts me.  Maybe someone who has a copy of the Heathkit 
master parts list could look up the Heath P/N  412-34.

I'd be interested in what you find out, and I would also be interested 
if anybody has mad a quick and dirty replacement that sounds better out 
of an IC chip, like a 555 or something.

73 es GL,
Tom
Fredericksburg, Iowa

Tom Laird wrote:
> I'm working on a HW-16 and noticed the Neon bulb at the rear of the circuit
> board has a broken wire, unfortunately at the bulb. Three questions:
>
> 1) is it a NE-2?
>
> 2) what does it do in the circuit? Looks like it pads the -150 volt line to
> the crystal osc. and the Q1 bias switch
>
> 3) do local hardware stores carry those things?
>
> Tnx,
>
> Tom Laird W9QI
> Moline, IL.
>
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