Thanks.
..."near radiation fields"... Do you imply there is no connection with the conductor and neon bulb lights up only by proximity to it ?
I made maaany years ago a dash display with four neons with one side grounded and the others to pieces of aluminium foil wrapped in each of the four cylinder wires, no ohmic connection. Worked perfect, showing the 4 firings.
I wonder if a xenon bulb in series with the wire would stay alive and yield much brighter light to see in sunlight conditions. I will have to try...