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Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2001 23:03:14 -0800
From: "Ron D' Eau Claire" <rondec at easystreet.com>
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Meter Scales

Bill, VK2SOE, asked

> G'day Gang,
>
> Can anyone point me towards a good (simple) programme for drawing
> meter scales?
>
Hmmm... gonna replace that funky bar graph with a real meter? Been thinking
about that myself <G>.

Anyway, I use Corel Draw for such things. It's not too "simple" but it is
straightforward and older versions are pretty cheap. It's good to have a
program that will allow you to lay out curves accurately and tic marks  with
software-controlled intervals, such as every "X" degrees, etc. Corel Draw
will let you do that pretty easily. I'm assuming that you are running
Windows on a PC.

I'd recommend a 'vector' drawing program like that over something like
"Paint " in Windows, since paint produces bitmaps that are difficult to
scale and hold the resolution..

Ron AC7AC
K2 # 1289

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Date: Wed, 07 Nov 2001 08:03:22 -0600
From: fkamp at home.com
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Meter Scales

When it comes to meter scales, I have found that the best
solution (for me) is to scan the old scale and use a drawing
program to modify the scale.  I use a cheap (under $50)
flatbed scanner and Paintshop Pro 5.

The result gets printed out on a laser printer onto high
gloss finish paper.  The kind of paper that is normally used
with ink jet printers for printing photographs.  This paper
costs about 20 bucks for 50 sheets.

The process also works for making front panels.  Scan the
blank front panel to capture the dimensions.  Then use a
drawing program to add the lettering.

For those who dare to make their own cicruit boards, the
glossy ink jet paper will also work as a substitue for the
more expensive dry toner transfer paper.  Just print the
mirror image of the circuit onto the paper.  Then use a
clothes iron to transfer the toner to the blank circuit
board.

It might also be possible to transfer the toner to a
re-painted, blank meter scale and end up with a very
professional looking new meter scale. I have not tried
this...yet.

Frank Kamp

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Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2001 18:17:19 +0100
From: "Leo Starrenburg PE1OBG" <pe1obg at home.nl>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Meter Scales

Give "Graph Paper Printer" a try.

Under Miscellaneous you'll find a Dial Indicator template, and it's very
handy for the odd sheet of log paper !

The program can be found at : http://www.marquis-soft.com/

73' Leo.

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Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2001 20:47:27 +0100
From: "Sverre Holm \(LA3ZA\)" <svholm2 at online.no>
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Meter Scales

I have used some free software that WB8RCR made available this summer
for front panels and meter scales. I like it a lot and it has helped me
make much better looking panels. You will find one example of its usage
and a link to the software, by looking for the description of the
antenna tuner on http://www.qsl.net/la3za/Homebrew/


- - Sverre
- -----------------
www.qsl.net/la3za

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