[Milsurplus] Mica capacitors?

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On 12/4/06, WA5CAB at cs.com <WA5CAB at cs.com> wrote:

>  Suggest you avoid orange drops for anything.  Anytime I see one of those in
> a vintage military set, I automatically assume modifications and butchery.
> They only belong in PC board equipped late 50's and early 60's TV's.  :-)

Other than that zaney, bright, eye-jabbing color, they're actually
excellent caps. Plenty of older gear uses those shiney brown ones,
same shape but different color. A lot of gear used the original orange
drops, not sure about mil gear. Definitely not WWII, they weren't
invented then.

They are not only American-made, they're made right up the road in
Barre VT by SBE, the company who bought the line from the original
manufacturer, Sprague. They're even still made in part of the original
factory by locals. The owner is also a ham, belongs to the local club,
and is quite generous with his caps. Many a radio nut has boxes in his
garage or basement. I've given away many pounds myself, given to me by
friends who worked there.

Of course, they're not for 'everything', but they are first-rate caps.
I use them exclusively unless I'm worried about space/fit (sometimes)
or aestetics (seldom). Never had one fail or found any failed. How
many owners of gear with the less-visible Black Beauty caps can say
that? (o:

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ