Topband: FK8CP Amplifier Tubes - update - tubes found

[Carsten Esch]

Hello all and Happy new Year.

I did have a qso with Remi tonight and asked him again about his amplifier 
and tube problems.

He said the amplifier was an Alpha 87 and he is sure it is only the tubes 
that were corroded, as the visual inspection of the sockets show they are 
OK, but it is possible that some other components maybe be also affected 
that will not be obvious with a visual inspection.

He also said the amplifier has some other minor problems, but they are not 
related to the sockets and don't affect him using the amp.

He also said a German station did send him a Fax and said maybe he will be 
able to find him some tubes.

Also there are many other stations looking for someone to coordinate 
donations towards buying some tubes, so I am prepared to do this for Remi.

I don't know if it necessary to buy new tubes, but from what I have read on 
this topband reflector, these 3CX800A7 tubes seem to be very fragile and 
second hand ones may turn out to be DOA (Dead On Arrival).

I have a PayPal account which is vk3io at iinet.net.au

So thank you all for your interest and generousity.

Cheerio from Ron. 

---

I am the German station Remi mentioned ... I exchanged quite some faxes with
Remi the last days and because feedback from 'the topband reflector group'
was low Fausto I4EAT and I decided to continue anyway ...
Fausto has a pair of used tubes he will try in his 6m amp - if they are ok I
will pay shipping to Remi ... Of course it would be nice if some more guys
from the reflector will help so that Fausto gets a pair back. 
We should really organise this - it does not make much sense to ship several
pairs to New Caledonia ... 
I got offers from DF9OX and DL1AMQ so far ...  

Regards,

Carsten, DL6LAU

---

.... UPDATE ....

The tubes Fausto, I4EAT had were bad but DF6PW will sell me a pair of
3CX800A7 tubes for EUR 450,- (about US$ 600,-). These tubes (EIMAC) were
used in a TenTec Titan 425. He bought a new set because he had a problem
with his amp but it turned out it was not the tubes. I will visit him later
today to check the tubes in his amp and buy them if ok (I have no doubt they
are 100% ok). Airmail shipment to FK8 is EUR 58,- (about US$ 77,-) so we
need about US$ 680,- ....

The following nice guys have indicated to help: 

W6OSP  $100 
I4EAT  $???
DF9OX   $20
DL1AMQ  $20
PA3GCV  $20
DL8LAS  $25
DL6LAU $100 (to start with)

N1SV indicated he is willing to donate too.

If someone likes to donate directly to me via PayPal it is
carsten.esch at appello.de otherwise the route via Ron is perfectly ok too,
guess we find a way to transfer funds :-)

73sss

Carsten, DL6LAU