[Amps] Used tubes

[Jeff Blaine AC0C]

Mike,

I don't think the socket insertion marks are conclusive.  Suggestive but not 
reliably conclusive.

To my thinking, a high tension socket will leave the marks and if the mfg or 
some interim party put these in a test platform, you would see the marks.

I have bought tubes from QRO-PARTS a few times and have been pleased.  But I 
don't think I would buy tubes from an individual per se.  My thinking is 
this...  An individual may have NOS unused tubes, on a one-off basis, due to 
some horse trading he did at one point, but that would be the exception. The 
more likely case is that the guy has used tubes he wants to sell to offset 
the cost of the new ones.

On the other hand, if a guy (like QRO PARTS or RF PARTS or MFJ) has a 
warehouse full of these tubes, then he really has no particular incentive to 
want to sell you his pulls even if he somehow goes through them like popcorn 
at the movie theater.  A guy in this line would likely see peddling preused 
tubes as NOS to be a good way to get a bad rep and a lot of headaches for 
little return.  Hence little incentive to bottom deal you.

Buyer beware, of course, but I would guess that most guys with a decent 
track record of web sales would probably do the right thing.

73/jeff/ac0c


--------------------------------------------------
From: "MIKE DURKIN" <patriot121 at msn.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 6:32 PM
To: <davidhcraig at verizon.net>; "amps fourm" <amps at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [Amps] Used tubes

>
>
> I would love some pics ... I'm sure the Ebay'r that i bought from used a 
> generic pic, mabey from the same lot he has .. but not the one i bought --  
> which is ok, but i sure don't want one that was used 3X its rated life !!!
>
> Mike
> KC7NOA
>
>
>> From: david***net
>> To: patriot****com; amps at contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [Amps] Used tubes
>> Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:02:52 -0500
>>
>>
>>     Mike,
>>
>>     I bought 2 supposedly NOS GS35b tubes- they were toast, grids audible
>> bouncing around when shook.  I didn't have to do that to tell though- the
>> USSR radar units used finger-stock to contact the filament & grid rings.
>> Both these supposed "NOS" tubes have visable finger-stock marks on them. 
>> If
>> you like I'll send you photos... it is obvious regardless of how clean 
>> the
>> anode cooler is.  My guess is that these were in for a long time so not 
>> sure
>> if a short time in use would reveal the same, but there it is FWIW.
>>
>>     73 Dave N3DB / 8R1DB
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "MIKE DURKIN" <patriot*****com>
>> To: "amps fourm" <amps at contesting.com>
>> Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 6:51 PM
>> Subject: [Amps] Used tubes
>>
>>
>> >
>> > Is there a way to tell externally if a tube has been used ... Im 
>> > guessing
>> > not unless it was abused.
>> >
>> > I just bought a GS-35B.
>> >
>> > Mike
>> > KC7NOA
>> >
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