[Amps] Bad Tubes

[Tom W8JI]

> RF parts lists 4CX800's at $349 each so two for legal 
> limit is $698.  Eimac
> 8877 is $799 with good MRI pulls in the $250 range.  A new 
> 3CX1500D7 is $695
> direct from Eimac.  I have never been a fan of Russian 
> tubes and now that
> they have raised their prices so high, I will probably 
> never buy one.  Given
> their track record and the bad rap they have been getting 
> lately, I can't
> see them in business for long...

It isn't just lately Mike.

About one fourth to half of the sample tubes I obtained 
years ago were bad out of the box and they had no signs of 
being mishandled. When I considered they also might not be 
available at any time due to the source, I opted to not use 
them.

I'm sure they are fine for a homebrew design, but I'd never 
depend on them in a commercial design.

73 Tom