[Boatanchors] type 83 mercury vapor tube

[Dave Rossetti]

Joe,

I have seen the blue glow when testing an 83 tube. Kinda cool. I cannot speak to a good tube with no glow. 

Alan Douglas in his Tube Testers and Classic Test Gear book addresses the use of a solid state substitute for the 83 tube; even shows how to make one. Its seems lots of folks use this. I am kinda a purest and prefer the tube.

Yes these tubes have gotten pricey. Look for one that does not address its use in Hickok testers. They go cheaper. It is best if both sides of the tube test about equal.

Dave Rossetti
410-297-0226 (mobile)
Sent from my DROID

"Joseph Trombino, Jr" <w2kj at bellsouth.net> wrote:

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>> 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.
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>> 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
>> 
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