"Get Redstone Power on Block Side" always return 0

Hello,

i am currently working on "one block redstone gates" like in the mod "Project Red"

but with a different concept.

Problem 1:

The procedure block "Get Redstone Power on Block Side" always returns 0, no matter which direction i set for detection.

Problem 2:

Is there a way to emit redtone signals with commands, function or procedures. I don't want to use the repeater replacement method

because it is very inelegant.

thanks.