[Boatanchors] Old resistor values

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

Dave,

I've noticed the same thing Garey was talking about.  Although I retired in 
'96 and it's been "a while" since I last took the standard Navy color test, I 
noticed the problem with the color bands on some newer resistors long before 
that.  I was an ET for the first third of my career and then as an MN for the 
balance had pretty much the same restrictions to meet, including color acuity.  
And as an EE in parallel, it also helped to be able to read color bands, 
although admittedly most of what we used commercially had no color bands at all.  

The problem may be more prevalent with the resistors in the large (read 
cheap) assortments that I'm sure many of us have bought to stock our resistor 
boxes.  But some even name brand resistors had colors that seemed affected by the 
body color under them.  They just aren't as sharply "on color" as the older AB 
and Ohmite ones were.  The edges aren't as sharp either, and the bands are 
often narrower which aggravates the problem.

In a message dated 12/15/2004 7:58:01 AM Central Standard Time, w1dwz at rcn.com 
writes: 
> When I entered the USN 52 years ago, they tested me for aptitude , and I
> scored high in Electronics. They assigned me to  Electronics Technician
> School , where I recieved great training for the Navy and for my Life's
> work.
> Upon entering school, I almost failed a color test , and but for a generous
> and forgiving test giver, I would have probably become a Bosun's Mate.
> 
> I still have dificulty with some colors, but always rely on the good old
> ohmmeter !
> 
> Check with your eye doctor. Sometimes you will never notice that you have
> that problem.
> 
> 73  de Dave W1DWZ
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Garey Barrell" <k4oah at mindspring.com>
> To: <WA5CAB at cs.com>
> Cc: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2004 9:50 PM
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Old resistor values
> 
> 
> >Robert -
> >
> >In my experience, the color bands on "modern" resistors are just for
> >decoration!  The colors are NOT true, and it is particularly difficult
> >to tell the difference between black, brown and red.   Even with bright,
> >color accurate lighting and high magnification.  I have given up and
> >just measure them with an ohmmeter.
> 

Robert Downs - Houston
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