[Boatanchors] [Johnson] Johnson Ranger VFO Access Question

[Whitebear1122]

Thanks Carl for your comments on the Atoms and Xicons.  I figured Sprague was using the same technology from the 60's which accounted for their much larger size, while modern caps are able to achieve greater capacitance in much less volume.  I didn't know the higher voltage rated Spragues had series caps inside the body.   It's funny but yesterday I saw a Sprague Atom on the Johnson Ranger grid block keying platform and it looked just like the ones they sell today plus the model number was identical.  That Ranger had been built sometime in the 60's.  

I've been using the Xicon's for maybe 12 years with no complaints.  They are somewhere between 1/2 and 1/3 the price of the Atoms.

Agreed, I wouldn't touch a no-name capacitor with a 10 foot pole. 

73, Scott WA9WFA

On Dec 29, 2013, at 9:59 AM, "Carl" <km1h at jeremy.mv.com> wrote:

> Scott, Sprague Atoms are still using 70's technology with several values and the 500V and higher versions are using a pair of small modern caps in series stuffed inside. All you pay for is the name and they are still limited to 85C unlike modern caps.
> 
> Xicon is very good after they got over early quality issues in the 90's, Ive used lots in receiver and transmitter projects.
> 
> Ive had a few no names fail on me, have read of many others. It didnt take long to remove them from my supplier lists.
> 
> Carl
> KM1H
>