[Amps] Beryllium Oxide

[mike kendall]

Clive,
  We do "drills" on our ship and an old drill is for broken tubes.  The subject came up if we still have any tubes that, if broken, would require the old hazard spill kit that was put together for broken tubes.  We then asked what had tubes and the majority is in an HF system (280ea 4CX250's!).  We have at least one system with an old glass tube and then we have the assortment of magnetrons, klystrons, CFA's (cross field amplifiers).  If we can't find a tube with hazardoes material then we are going to do away with the drill card.
73,
Mike



----- Original Message ----
From: CLIVE COLLINS <dartaviation at btopenworld.com>
To: ke6cvh at yahoo.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2007 2:56:08 AM
Subject: Beryllium Oxide

Good evening Mike from the UK.
 
Re your enquiry on the Amps network, from previous experience in this field, I think you will find that there will possibly be no BeO used in the tubes.  This compound is found in some power semiconductors and only if you break them open to see what makes them tick!  Normally the stuff is  well protected and  presents no toxic threat.
 
It is unlikely that  BeO is used in the tubes but in any case, again they will only be dangerous if you break one open to see what is inside.
Under normal operation they should remain quite safe.
However, any device that HAS or MIGHT contain BeO should be disposed of very carefully.  We always publish a warning to our clients regarding this material and state that its disposal should be made with your local authority instructions borne in mind.
 
Kindest regards,
 
Clive GW3WEQ
Seems to me that someone is panicking un-necessarily.
73
 
CC


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