[Boatanchors] type 83 mercury vapor tube

[Joseph Trombino, Jr]

> I just opened up my Hickcock 752 tube tester and turned the lights off in the shack to observe the 83 mercury vapor after a several minute warm-up period.
> 
> I saw NO blue haze that is typical of mercury vapor tubes.
> 
> I am fairly sure this indicates a bad tube....but ask if any of y'all have seen the same thing in a GOOD type 83 tube.....that is NO blue haze but the tube is still good.
> 
> If the tube is bad I wonder if anyone has a spare to sell...I've seen prices upwards of $50 from on-line vendors.
> 
> Also interested if any one has successfully used a solid state replacement for the 83 tube in the Hickcock line of tube testers??
> 
> Many thanks for you comments/observations.
> 
> 			73, Joe W2KJ
>