[MRCA] Germanium Transistors

[Edward Larsen]

Hi Ron,
   Old transistors can go bad due to corrosion and such.  If the junctions
still show diode voltage drops and the transistors still test ok and show
Beta or hfe, then they are likely alright.  The Beta/hfe values should meet
minimum published transistor specifications.  You could try matching a pair
by similar Beta and/or junction forward voltage drops.
   Nice project.
73
Ed, KI6R

On Wed, Oct 22, 2025 at 11:38 AM <rl.boltz at mhsdesign.com> wrote:

> Do NOS germanium transistors get “rot” or go bad from age?  I need to
> replace the invertors in a PRC-47 and I have 5 NOS original germanium
> transistors.  All test vastly different. I expect variations as not matched
> sets but these are WAY off.  I suspect at least 60 years old and maybe much
> more.
>
>
>
> Ron Boltz
>
> K3tzj
>
>
>
>
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