11 Set stuff

[Joe C]

Came across this picture in my collection showing what looks to be a complete WS No. 11 Ground Station set up for wireless training.

http://www.rcsigs.ca/index.php/File:..._WS_No._11.jpg

[cletrac (RIP)]

I got this Aerial Unit C off Kevin and you couldn't see through the ammeter glass. I took the meter cover apart and it has two thin layers of glass with a piece of clear plastic between them. The plastic had deteriorated so it wasn't clear anymore. I cleaned stuff up and left out the plastic and it looks good now. My question is "Why would they make it like this? A single layer of glass should have been sufficient I would think.

[Grant Bowker]

Laminated glass like auto windshields that also sometimes go opaque in the plastic layer?

[David Dunlop]

That was my thought as well, Grant. Protection for the meter and the adhesive for the plastic has failed over time. I've see one or two CMP windscreens do the same thing and take on a yellow brown hue in the process.

David

[Grant Bowker]

I also wondered if the dial had (still does?) contained radioactivity for glow in the dark that might have originally been contained by the plastic and also have caused the plastic to deteriorate. This is pure speculation, NOT/NOT based on any parallel to known equipment.

[David Dunlop]

Any radioactivity present would not be worth worrying about, Grant, and plain glass and plastic have zero containment capability in any event. To act as a radiation shield, you need leaded glass, but I am not sure what percent lead is required. Common crystal glass is around 22 to 24 % as I recall.

David

[Mike K]

I just received a C tuner from Kevin, I am surprised at how different it is to the Aust. made version, quite a bit smaller it is . Yes same problem, the glass has gone a yellowy faded shade , cannot read the meter .

[kevin powles]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Any radioactivity present would not be worth worrying about, Grant, and plain glass and plastic have zero containment capability in any event. To act as a radiation shield, you need leaded glass, but I am not sure what percent lead is required. Common crystal glass is around 22 to 24 % as I recall.

David

Gents be carful with playing around with the meter, Radon paint may have been used which is Alpha emitting, Which is shielded by glass, plastic or even paper. You do not want to ingest alpha as it is harmful inside the body, your outer layer of your skin shields it too. as long as the painted dial is intact and the paints not coming off it will be ok. A quick removal of the deteriorated plastic does not constitute a hazard in my opinion. I have another four of these units available if your wireless mates need any.

kevin.