Meter light, and... been in sunspots too long?

[droy]

Wondering if someone coud help me with a couple of questions-
The meter light has apparently burnt out in my six year old Connex 4300,or 4600 or ? (sorry truck's not here for me to get correct #). I'd like to replace the light myself;

(1) Is it a 12 volt generic type bulb I can get at a "Radio Shack" type store, or is the voltage stepped down, and/or a special type bulb?
If it is 12 volts, would it be possible to replace it with an LED diode, similar to the blinking alarm light many cars have. (not a blinking one of course)

(2) Has there been an increase in the static noise level, or do I have a problem.
In order for me to eliminate the constant noise level, I have to turn my squelch almost completely down, which naturally cuts my reception to almost nil. I traded trucks last October, and traded again in April. No noticable difference in the three trucks, (noise ways). I installed new coax each truck swap, and seem to have the least amount of noise with an old Wilson 5000. I also tried a Predator antenna, and a fiberglass antenna.
Checking SWR myself, I get a reading of 1.2, on ch.19.
All trucks involved were Kenworth W900, with antenna mounted on driver side sleeper faring bracket at rear of sleeper. (yes I tried different locations).
I was told high noise level was due to sunspots, but I seem to be the only one complaining.
Any suggestions, hints, advice, opinions, etc., would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

[kd5drx]

It is something you can replace your self if you are familiar with a soldering iron and electronic circuits. It is not a 12 volt more than likely it is a 5 volt wheat light we called them because they look like a grain of wheat. I don't think you can replace it with led as it is part of a low voltage circuit to keep the heat down. My suggestion is take it to any reputable cb shop and they should be able to replace it pretty cheap. you can change the color of the light by using a colored bulb cover i have done that allot in the past didn't like the bright whit or yellow light proffered a soft red light for night driving. as to the noise it doesn't look like there has been any major activity in quite some time as we are coming up on a low cycle. Usually during low cycles the noise is less not more as the atmosphere is not conducive to long range noise floors. If you want to see where the noise is coming from disconnect the antenna at the radio and see if you have noise with the squelch open and the fr gain wide open.You should be able to hear a very very minor noise this way almost non existent. If you hear more than that the noise is coming threw the power side and you need to find it. If not then its coming threw the antenna side and could be a sign that your filters are going bad or your receiver needs alignment. You can also connect the same antenna to a different radio and see what you have as far as receive.No 2 radios are going to be the exact same so some difference will be normal it's a drastic difference your looking for.
[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link. this is the site for the sunspot numbers if your interested in finding them for the day in question

[droy]

Thanks for the comeback kd5drx, Probably will take your advice on the meter light, and now have some leads on my noise problem.