[Boatanchors] Bird Termaline Question - Update (long)

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

It appears that a fair number of units changed resistance from the same 
value to the same incorrect value.  Which would indicate either a design error 
or a manufacturing error.  I think that the possibility that the oil is 
dissolving the resistance element can be eliminated.  Else the older the unit, 
the higher the resistance would be.  Or, the dissolving action is selective 
to the magic portion of the resistance that has a positive reactance 
component and happens quickly after filling.  :-)

In a message dated 02/07/2017 13:51:31 PM Central Standard Time, 
jacques.f at videotron.ca writes: 
> Hi Doug,
> It was my first thought that the resistor inside was overheated, but it 
> can
> be something else..
> What if it is the cooling oil slowly dissolving the carbon layer of the
> resistor ?
> Could it be a moisture contamination of the oil giving that result ?
> If ever you dismantle everything and extract the resistor, it should 
> measure
> the same 72.6 ohms you got.
> The other proof that the resistor is damaged, in your case, is that you 
> got
> a capacitive component of the impedance at most frequencies: it should not
> be any reactance showing up to the GHz range.
> I have a 6156 Thermaline that measures 51.8 ohms, and I believe it is 
> still
> good, but in the future, who knows ?
> 
> 73, Jacques, VE2JFE
> 
> 

Robert & Susan Downs - Houston
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