A multiwire proportional chamber with CsI photocathode pads and a TMAE based photon detector have been tested in order to evaluate their potential as candidates for a fast ring imaging Cherenkov counter, to be used for separation of pions from kaons in the HERA-B experiment proposed at DESY. Results of the tests are presented and the following parameters are discussed: the number of photons detected per ring, resolution of the Cherenkov angle, photoelectron drift time distribution, fraction of clusters and avalanche photon feedback.