[R-390] Scanning Meter Faces

David P. Goncalves [email protected]
Sat, 22 Nov 2003 15:22:39 +0000


Every so often I ask this, so here I am again.

First, in cooperation with a list member I produced a Visio file that you can 
print out onto self-adhesisve paper to redo your meters:

http://www1.coe.neu.edu/~dpg/R390Face.vsd

The Visio plugin is free for download. They fit very nicely onto PRC-47 meters 
available from Fair Radio Sales.

Also, is there anybody out there (the Boston area is best) that would be 
willing to lend me thier meters for a weekend to scan? While the scans in the 
Visio file are OK, I'd like to get the 'final word' on this scanning issue, and 
generate a set of excellent quality scans for others to use in meter work 
(redrawing meter faces, or printing/sticking).

1. I understand the risks in handling an open meter, and have come up with a 
   method to nearly eliminate exposure to particles. Yes, I know there is 
   radium in there.

2. I'm not just some JF off the street asking for your meters. I am (for now, 
   nearly graduated) president of the Northeastern University Wireless Club 
   (W1KBN) and as such, you will recieve a guarantee from myself, the senior 
   E.E lab tech (doing the scanning work under his supervision) and the faculty 
   advisor 
   that your meter will not be subjected to any unnessasary risks or 
   adjustments.

3. And if something should happen to your meter, I offer to compensate by 
   giving the donor my own converted meters AND all of my R-390. 

4. Shipping to and fro (if not dropped of by hand) I pay for. I pack well.

I'll happily accept scans from owners (hey, less work from me!) but I ask that 
they be nice scans without lossy compression - TIFF files are OK, JPG are not. 
If you can get a scan of the removed dial plate face down onto the scanner, 
you'll have done it. Acceptable is scans of the unremoved dial plate, if you 
take two scans with the meter needle in two positions. Please don't send 
digital photos of the meter in the case, I have quite a few already.

Thanks, and hope somebody out there is willing.

Dave Goncalves, N1XZB