[R-390] Radium dials and 3AT7 'unubtanium" ballast tube--query for the group

[Dave Merrill]

Amperite lists the 3TF7 as 'still available' -

http://www.amperite.com/ballastp.htm

However, if you check prices with their distributors (Newark and Richardson
for example), they are $100+!  Makes SSN price of $45 seem like a bargain.

BTW, the Amperite page shows 3TF7, 3TF7A, 3TF7B and 3TF7/H - what's
the difference?  Amperite had only general ballast tube info on their site,
no specs for individual parts.

73,

/dave
N9ZC

>OK, nuff about luminous dials, lets talk about the supreme of supremes 
>in the class of unobtainum.
>I think that we have pretty much in agreement that the 3AT7 ballast tube 
>has gone the way of all other good things.. I propose that since there 
>seem to be one heck of a lot of  Boatanchrs/R-390 and R-390A enthusiasts 
>out there,  I have been wondering if since there are both saftety and 
>clout in numbers, that our group en masse could approach a manufacturer, 
>be it either here in the good old US of A or more promising, a firm in 
>Russia (Svetlana) to produce this tube line again.