[ARC5] Solid-state battery tubes...

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

This may be of interest to some.

I have been looking for a new 1L6 for use in my R-1004/GRC-109 receiver. 
The one I presently have is weak and no longer oscillates on any frequency 
above about 10 MHz.

I do have one NIB spare....somewhere....

I visited eBay in hopes of finding an NIB or NOS 1L6 there for a reasonable 
price, and was absolutely blown away at the present asking prices for those: 
up to $90.00/each!

This is ridiculous!

I DID find a "solid-state" replacement, mounted inside a glass tube, and 
looking exactly like a battery tube for the 1L6 for $44.00.

Upon further examination of the maker's website, I came to the conclusion 
that 1) this requires ZERO modification to the receiver, not even realignment, 
2) it appears that it is far more reliable, 3) that it exhibits none of the 
microphonics problem of the 1L6, 4) that it works at least as well as the 1L6, 
and 5) its cost is reasonable.

Furthermore, the maker is a ham, AB3PO Ed Allison of Pennsylvania.

For those who are interested, his website is:

http://www.solidstatetubes.com/

He is also very forthcoming and "chatty".

I have bought one 1L6 and will try it as soon as I receive it.

I'll let you know if it works out.

In the meantime, I am trying to figure out a way to add a BC-453 "Q-5er" to 
my R-1004 with out doing ANY mods to the R-1004. It could sure use the 
additional selectivity...

The trouble is, of course, that the BC-453's filaments alone draw more 
current than the entire R-1004 does.

Kenneth G. Gordon W7EKB

"Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway."--- John   Wayne