[Amps] Why do tubes cost so much?

[Carl]

I read somewhere (years ago so dont quote me) that tubes with extremely 
close grids such as the 3CX800 and 1500 have yields around 20%. You would 
think that after all these years companies would have better technology 
available to assemble.

Setup times should be controlled also, I just suspect that Eimac doesnt care 
since they still have the bulk of the market that will pay whatever it 
costs.

Carl
KM1H


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Tonne" <tonne at comcast.net>
To: "Frederick Mott" <fredmott at zoominternet.net>; <dezrat1242 at yahoo.com>; 
<amps at contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 29, 2010 9:40 PM
Subject: Re: [Amps] Why do tubes cost so much?


>
> I think that Bill and Fred have summarized things
> nicely.
>
> But I also suspect that the "tiny" tubes like a 6BA6
> are assembled in a relatively (if not entirely) automated
> operation.  And I chose the 6BA6 because of how the
> first grid is formed, with that nonuniform winding.
>
> The "big" tubes - those with 100 kW or more of plate
> dissipation - offer the same challenges that the 1000
> watt tubes do but are simply scaled up and are
> larger in every respect and so probably relatively
> easier to build.   The cost of materials in those huge
> tubes is probably significant.   So is warranty cost.
>
> - JimT   W4ENE
>
>
>> I have often wondered why big tubes cost so much.
>
>
>
>
>
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