[R-390] Fw: Re: Lutefisk and The Ballast Tube Thread - on topic - Haa! - Take that

[Bob Camp]

Hi

I'm not real sure we know what the process was that they used to 
manufacture the ballast tubes.

It's pretty obvious that precision wire placement and careful insulator 
assembly were not part of the process. We obviously have the skills to 
figure out the wire length, wire gauge, and wire composition they used. 
No way are you going to convince me that anything closer than a 10% 
accuracy is needed in ether wire length or diameter.

If we send out a tube or two for a residual gas analysis we'll know 
what the gas mix they used was. The only other variable would be 
pressure.

My guess is that they did a very normal bake out with a vacuum pump on 
the tubulation. Once the thing is clean on the vac ion gauge you fire 
up the wire with a constant current source. Then you back fill the tube 
to the point that the voltage on it drops to a specified value. More or 
less it's a thermistor vacuum gauge in reverse.

Once it's stable with a given gas level you can sweep it to check it's 
regulation. If it passes you seal it off.

If the process is really that simple - why the high cost for these darn 
things? They never have been cheap. The process can't have been as 
extensive as a normal vacuum tube. If we have the skills to figure out 
the details then anybody in the tube business could have.  Again - why 
should these cost so darn much ....

	Take Care!

		Bob Camp
		KB8TQ


On Jul 5, 2004, at 8:11 PM, Bruce MacLellan wrote:

> Ok Tom, as long as you insist, I will post this to the list.
>
> Attention List:
>         This is really a great way to recycle those failed ballast 
> tubes
> and keep our great receivers going on forever!    This is not a hot dog
> and sausage fix but has evolved after over several days of drun- - er -
> extensive testing,
> .  Yes, that's it, extensive testing and evaluation!!
>
>
>
>
>> Tom,
>>         We wash the haggis down with Famous Grouse scotch and the
> lutfisk
>> down with glog.   Of course it doesn't have to be lutfisk and haggis 
>> but
>> they are good reasons!!
>>
>>         Thanks for the information on lutefisk.
>>
>>         Now, lets see, the 3FT7 fails, we carefully cut the glass
>> envelope at the top and stuff the tube with haggis and pour in a wee
> dram
>> of Famous Grouse and reattach the top using high temp epoxy.   There 
>> is
>> no need to apply a vacuum.     Reinstall and it is good as long as the
>> scotch lasts.    I believe this also works with lutfisk if mixed with
> 50%
>> sill (pickeled herring to those not familiar with Scandanavian food) 
>> and
> soaked with glog which dilutes the lye.
>>
>>         oooh, the great minds are getting active again!   Where is
> Nolan
>> when you need him for life testing??
>>
>> Regards,  hehe
>> Bruce
>>
>>
>>
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