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I have this Para Dynamics Astatic 600 meter, and the lights don't work. any one have this problem? and anyone know what size those bulbs are? I just may replace all 6? I never got the manual with it since it was used.

i know a couple people that have had light problems with that same meter. as a matter of fact, i am saving my pennies to buy one. the lights have a loose solder joints in there. i think if you redo the solder joints in there you should have no other problems in there. if you dont have a small 30-40w soldering gun, just take it to your local cb shop or electronics shop and they should be able to take care of you for really cheap. some might just do it for free.

Hi, thanks for the reply, I checked all 6 bulbs, and only 2 light up// My need is! the size of the bulb? 5mm 10mm and so on I do know they are 12 volts because I get the 12 volts at the wires to each bulb.

Not to hijack a thread but I just picked up one of these meters myself and it seems the SWR meter is a little sparratic and when it stops working you can tap on it and it will start to work again. If anyone has any suggestions along with solving skybolt's problem would be much appreciated.

Thanks
John

As for the lights replace them all with white leds and you will be better of never have to do it agin they should last 20 years and as for the guy with the bad swr meter I may have a replacement but you could try to loosen the set screw in the front first you have to take the cover off of the swr metter part it self the lens if that dosent work let me know I bought abunch of them on ebay a while back to fix 2 meters I have.

Does the meter itself stick or quit working or does the reading change? Sounds like it is either a bad calibrate control (needs cleaning or replacing) or a bad connection on the board. SWR calibrate controls are notorious for getting flaky.

BC

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BC

Well, the meter seems to do both, if the mic is keyed and it doesn't move you can tap the front of the meter and it will move and if you tap on the front while it's working the reading will change. I had the meter apart and hit everything with fresh solder but did not help. I ran some longer wires from the board where the SWR meter hooks to the next meter over and that meter moves every time the mic is keyed and does not change when you tap on the front of it, so I think I've got it narrowed down to the meter and not a switch or solder joint. I took the meter apart and pulled the guts out and wrapped the "core" in a strip cut from a dryer sheet to try and elliminate static buildup, it seems to work a little better but it's still flaky.

Are those exact replacements and if so whatcha want for one with shipping?

Thanks
John

I think all of the ones I have are modulation meters but they are the same rating as the swr meter you would have to change the plate is all not to hard to do I did it to mine. I will look down stairs in a bit and get back to you I paid 80 for 4 of them so 20 bucks would work for me let me know john....

Did you check the lens cover for static?

On the Bulbs...

The older PDC 600 units, we installed grain of wheat bulbs, don't recall the size but I do have a few laying around I could measure I suppose. I would also concur that switching to 12V LED's will work much better and last longer.

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