[R-390] [OT] Hard to Find Tubes (HP-410B)

[Michael Melland]

Sorry for the off topic post but I thought some may find this interesting
with all the tube talk going on here lately.

I replaced my HP-410B a while ago with a much later one.... I had a spare
2-01C probe for the ood one but my newer one needed a EA53.  I about died
when I looked in all the usual places for a spare EA53 and found that "if"
you could find one they were selling nos for up to $100 each !  Heck my
spare 2-01C is selling for between $30 and $60 it seems.....

I finally found a web page of a tube dealer in Sweden.  He had a nos EA53
listed in Swedish currancy and for kicks I sent an email asking what it
converted to in US Dollars.  Get this...... $8 US Dollars !  Total with
shipping was $13.80 including a $3.50 fee for an order under $30 Euros!
Amazing...... sure must be more EA53's over there then here <grin>.  Now I'm
checking to see if they have or can get a spare probe tube for my favorite
VTVM.... a 1970 General Radio 1806-A, an amazing instrument but with the
very small 7266 ceramic diode in the probe.  And.... I checked ... he didn't
have any 3TF7's or 26Z5W's <grin> but lots of nos European and other
military types.  Owner's name is Ralf.... fast email, fast shipping, nice
guy. YMMV...

RBN Trading HB
Karvagen 5
SE-976 31 Lulea
Sweden
http://go.to/radiotubeshop

Mike, W9WIS


--
Michael Melland, W9WIS
Winneconne, Wisconsin USA EN54pc
qrp-l #1656 - qrparci # 9875 - iparc #252
ars #1075  -  http://www.qsl.net/w9wis