[Boatanchors] Soviet Tubes

Sat, 11 May 2002 09:38:03 -0400

F W Mooney <[email protected]> writes:
> I ordered a 5Y3GT "SOVT" from AES, for my National RBL-6.  
> I'm sure it was there in the fine print in the catalog, but I didn't 
> expect a "New Old Stock" tube.  It says "made in USSR, which makes 
> it at least 10 years old, I guess.  My bad.

It ain't necessarily so.  The Russians have been slow to update a lot of
things.  They have just finally started to replace their passports, which
up to now, still read "CCCP" on the covers.  Some have made a lot of
money (in US dollars) with Soviet memorobilia and collectibles -- much of
which was actually manufactured after '91, and even now.  Great tourist
and even "e-auction" merchandise.  You can get all kinds of watches with
the red star on the dial and your choice of tank, submarine, jet, etc.
graphics.  They must have produced tons of cheap, thin brass cap emblems,
etc. for flea markets, etc.  I suspect that other military surplus items
may be new.  Small time entrepreneurs (franchised by the mafia) drive
around in Lada's with their trunks stuffed with cheap stuff for tourists
-- they chase the tour busses around.

But, they're also economical and pragmatic, and may not have invested in
retooling the imprints for the tubes.  And, then, some diehards may be
hoping the USSR comes back, or they rename the country again so they can
use the same initials. ;-)

Look for a date code of some kind.  Even if truly old stock, that might
not be bad.  My understanding is that Russian tubes vary in quality and
there are some brands and numbers to stay away from altogether.  The 5Y3
may be a good risk -- but would be good to try it in a tube tester or at
least check running voltages with it in place.  

Barry

> 
> Anyhow, does anyone have experience with the Russian-made tubes?  
> Are they known for high quality and mean time between failure?
> 
> - Fred M.  KA1DGL
>   
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