[Milsurplus] Estate questions

[J Forster]

Thanks very much. I didn't SEE any big transmitting tubes, but only
really glanced at the stuff. There are literally a couple of hundred
unopened & unlabeled boxes about the size that Xerox paper comes in and
I looked at none of it. I asked about the tubes and PC cards, because
they are in the way of getting to other stuff.

There are also a number of the old Lambda rack mount, regulated tube
power supplies, but they are burried. Are they in demand?  Also, what
about HC-6 crystals outside the ham bands. There are likely hundreds.

Thanks,
-John



  I've done all of this for different estates as
  recently as last year. The answer is that it is a
  total crapshoot. Box lots are offered on eBay
  constantly and the results are mixed. My advice is to
  start with the BEST of what you've got, create lots,
  take more than a few good pictures of each lot and
  describe the lot in as much detail as you are willing
  to spend the time writing.

  At the end of your listing, you may want to consider
  saying something like this: "This stuff came from a
  RADAR engineer's estate and I will be listing more of
  it shortly. So if you are interested in this kind of
  thing, please save me in your list of favorite sellers
  and keep checking back for new listings."

  It will behoove you to go through the tubes. It's an
  eye-strain pain in the behind, but 1000 tubes can be
  easily sorted in an evening. Beer helps you get
  through it, but doesn't necessarily help with correct
  tube identification! What you are looking for is the
  audio tubes. Audio guys are the big tube buyers. Hams
  are finicky tube buyers and can't be counted on to
  actually spend any money. But the audio guys will
  definitely be there if you've got the goods.

  So make lots of 6L6's, 6V6's, 45's, 2A3's, 12AX7's,
  6DJ8's, 6SN7's and so forth. You can post them as
  UNTESTED USED PULLS and sometimes get surprising
  results. Or you can set up a production line if you
  have a good Hickok tube tester and test them in
  batches, posting only the good ones. Be alert for any
  high-value KT66, KT88, RCA Red 6SN7's (I forget the
  number--is it 5692?--something like that) and any
  Western Electric tubes so you can post those
  individually.

  Be sure to put the keywords TUBE AUDIO in your listing
  title. I usually say something like

  ANTIQUE VINTAGE RADIO TUBE 6L6 HAM AUDIO AMPLIFIER

  or whatever will fit out of that. Don't put TUBES (the
  plural) as one word in case they don't search on the
  plural. TUBE is enough, even if you are listing many
  of them.

  Transmitting triodes will sell well to the audio
  guys--801, 811, 211 (VT-4), etc. so be alert for that.
  Transmitting pentodes 803 etc. get no respect from
  audiophiles or hams so don't waste your time on those.

  Random, unsorted tubes can be offered as a box lot and
  you will get $10 to $20 for the box. Be sure to pack
  any tubes carefully otherwise they won't make the trip
  intact.

  I've not been able to fnd any market for circuit
  boards--either or eBay or at hamfests. But maybe I did
  it wrong so I urge you to try your luck with the best
  of what you've got.

  Don't expect big dollars for any of this stuff, even
  the tubes. But with patience, you can get rid of most
  of it and make a few bucks.

  Good luck.
  73, Don merz, N3RHT