866A vs 3B28

[Ken Gordon]

On Tue, 19 Aug 1997, Brian Carling wrote:

> Can anyone tell me what, if any, difference exists between an 866A and
> a 3B28?

866x are mercury vapor rectifiers.

3B28x are inert gas rectifiers.

866x make "hash" (RF noise), 3B28x don't.  866x can flash over
unexpectedly, 3B28s don't.  866x requires warm-up, especially if tipped or
moved, 3B28s don't.

866x glow prettily, 3B28x don't (although if you look closely you will see
a very faint light purple glow).

3B28x are more reliable than 866x.

Ken W7EKB