[Ron Ramirez]

I'm not Nathan but I'll give it a go, having had more than my share of these things cross my bench...

Doug Houston could have given you a definitive answer, as he was a youngster when these sets were new. Unfortunately he is no longer with us, so you'll have to put up with my ramblings instead.

I've never seen one of these sets that didn't illuminate the call letter tags very dimly. I think it's just the nature of the beast. Given what (in my opinion) is a poorly designed RF unit, designed with no serious thought as to future repairs, it's a wonder it illuminates at all.

I have no doubt the dial scales and the plastic were lighter when they were new, and have darkened over the decades. I don't think they were ever off-white or yellow, but were always amber. Just a lighter shade of amber. If it really bothers you, you could find some thin opaque white plastic and cut out another shadow mask (the piece behind the dial scale).

I would try to find the brightest LED lamps I could find which will fit, and try those in the call tab illumination sockets.

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