[Boatanchors] Re: Polyester vs. Polypropylene Orange-Drops? [Also component lifetimes]

[Todd Bigelow - PS]

"Barry L. Ornitz" wrote:

> Orange-Drop was a tradename of Sprague at one time. but
> Sprague was bought by Vishay, an Indian company, so the
> idea of Orange-Drops being American-made no longer
> applies.  Forget what the folks on the R-390 list say, any
> quality capacitor can be used.

<snip>

Absolutely *NOT* true. Sprague was sold, sure, but it was sold off in
pieces, different lines as I understand it. The Orange Drop line
remained in Barre Vermont where it still operates today as SBE(Antique
Electronic Supply sells SBE Orange Drops). Not sure where you're getting
your info Barry, but before you "dismiss" all of the rest of us on the
R-390 list and elsewhere, please do a bit more research and be accurate
in your ascertions. I don't believe anyone on the R-390 list said that
'you *must* use Orange drops', only that we prefer them for most
applications. And yes - they are American made *and* owned, SBE being
bought recently from Perry Browning by a ham from the midwest. I have
several friends working in the plant (which I've been in myself) and I
assure you, they are not from India, Japan, or anywhere but here.

I enjoy your posts for their clarity and overall information content as
a rule, but this part is way off the deep end. Where did you ever come
up with such a story, or is it just an assumption on your part? I don't
doubt that some part of Sprage may have been purchased by an overseas
interest, but isn't Vishay also a US company?

Hope this clears up another urban legend before it begins....

73 de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ (sitting in Central Vermont, about 9 miles
from where Orange Drops are being produced at this minute)

Buy American made! Support those here who produce the components for
your old radios, not the ones overseas who sell disposable plug-and-play
radios.