I just picked up this transmit VFO off ebay for $25 plus ship for my Gonset Communicator IV. Bonus was it was already recapped!
It plugs right into the crystal socket too, which makes things easy. I have it hooked up to a frequency counter, but I'm not sure yet how drifty it is because, as you said, there's nobody to talk to!!!
Where'd you get crystals from?? I really need some for a Heathkit 2m FM radio...and I wouldn't mind getting a couple for the Gonset as well.