[NLRS] Counterfeit components

[Dr.Gerald Johnson]

While on active duty  in the Nam era, I recall finding government issue 
transistors from the electronic transistor company and tubes from the 
electronic tube company. Testing some ETC 2N3055 on a curve tracer, 
they melted at only 5 amps and suffered break down at half the rated 
voltage. The ETC 6146 didn't look like 6146 inside the envelope and didn't 
produce RF when installed in a 32S transmitter. But they were lowest bid...

With the world willing to counterfeit parts, incoming inspection needs to 
be more than visually looking for part numbers but needs to be a 
functional check and a speed check. Scrapping parts incoming rather 
than after assembly is economically necessary because the cost of 
scrapping the assembly or troubleshooting the assembly is way too 
expensive.

Incoming inspection can only be effective if there are comprehensive 
component specifications and test procedures established. It takes more 
from the design than "generic 74F04"...

Government procurement rules requiring lowest bid came from scammers 
during the war between the states. Certain purchasing individuals in the 
north bought rotten food at high prices from close relatives.

73, Jerry, K0CQ

-- 
Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
Reproduction by permission only.