[Boatanchors] micamold caps

[w5jo at brightok.net]

Rob you are talking about the "postage stamp" type of caps with the dots on 
them.  If so, with the arrow(s) pointing to your right, the first dot on the 
left should be either black or silver.  The black indicates mica and the 
silver indicates paper.   That holds true for caps purchased under JAN or 
AWS that will be found in military equipment.  The bad thing is the in many 
cases the silver paint would come off leaving a blank dot.  If that is the 
case assume they are paper.

The other 6 dot type is the RETMA designation and you can't tell what 
construction they are by the dots.  Same for the RETMA 3 dot or the tubular 
type.

As you know the postage stamp type case will split in half exposing the 
construction.  Many of the mica types would leak moisture into the case 
where the leads exit over the decades so the silver will migrate away 
leaving you with a bad cap.  They should be checked but if the value has 
changed or it is open, you won't see the performance the equipment was 
designed to deliver.  Check them especially if they show signs of heat or 
the case is mis-shaped.

Jim
W5JO

-----Original Message----- 

I am certain I have read or heard here and there over the years that
"Micamold" branded caps, are fake micas, actually paper dielectric
caps in a molded case made to look like genuine postage stamp micas.

Well, tonight I took a bad one I had pulled out of a rig and busted it
apart with a hammer, only to find what certainly appeared to be thin
strips of mica layered on top of each other and sandwiched into metal
grips, one on each end of the cap case and soldered to wire leads.
So, I don't know how anyone got the idea that these are not real mica
caps because the "micamold" that I broke apart certainly appeared to
be the real deal.

73

Rob
K5UJ