Replacement cross-needle meter for AEA LA-30?

[ExitThirteen]

I have a working AEA LA-30 linear that has a bad set of cross needle meters in it. I have heard that Ameritron bought out the rights to the AEA LA-30 model and now Ameritron is part MFJ, yes?

If this is the case, I wonder if MFJ/Ameritron would have any cross needle meters that would fit into my AEA LA-30, or maybe even have NOS original meters for the amp? Or is there another place I could possibly get a set of meters? Suggestions?


~Cheers~

 

[Robb]

Think I would call up Ameritron and see if anyone knows the skinny on it . . .

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Think I would call up Ameritron and see if anyone knows the skinny on it . . .

Agreed. They would know far better than anyone here does.

 

[BJ radionut]

Manual LA30

Not much help on the meter part# "13"....However may help with ID of the scale and how it's graduations are set up....
Look almost identical to the meter PALSTAR uses in some of their antenna tuners (maybe their amps!)

Looks very similar to a small Diawa wattmeter I have also....
Did you measure the size?
I have a couple of parts bin/ MFJ tuners, but looks like the AEA meter is tall...
That amp was also built by the old VECTRONICS company also (which MFJ owns the rights to also)
GL
All the Best
Gary

 

[Shockwave]

Are you sure the meter is shot? If it's just stuck and not mechanically broken, most can easily be fixed. If it's stuck at the zero deflection point the very small pivot screws that meter movement rests on are probably too tight. Loosen either one a 1/4 to a 1/2 turn and it should free right up.

If it hangs up in one spot, you have metal filings stuck to the internal magnet in the meter. That requires a steady hand and a small copper wire bent the right way to fit into the gap around the magnet. Put some saliva or window cleaner on the wire and the metal filings will stick to the wire when touched. Be careful not to damage the coil spring.

 

[Beetle]

We old-time meter mechanics had sewing needles which we rolled across the sticky part of a piece of masking tape - there was only one brand that would work and I can't remember what that was. The tape adhesive would stick to the needle, and we could clean a meter's air gap in no time at all. A couple of the guys I worked with had these and other tools with ivory handles, made in Switzerland. I just mounted mine on small wood dowels and they worked fine.

 

[ExitThirteen]

The meters are burnt out. Opened internally. I was able cobble one of them but the coil on the movement is burnt. They will need to be replaced, sadly.



~Cheers~

 

[wavrider]

I think mfj has the cross needle but you may have to take the display off of the old meter and put on the new one so it shows the proper indication.