Reading about failures in electronic devices, especially transistors and tubes,
it appears that the only positive thing the owner can do to baby his radio is
to leave it on all the time. That is, beyond the normal stuff like no static
and no lightning, and no out-of-spec operations. I am talking about normal
in-spec conditions. Apparently, electronic devices do not like radical and
sudden changes in their state: on to off or off to on.
It appears that at the molecular and atomic levels of metals (and other items),
the behavior changes come from the laws of physics where metals, for example,
spontaneously (or under load) exchange electrons... but these changes are
beyond the owner's control. Except by keeping the electronic device always
off, the owner can not stop this physical action (and some of these changed
occur ON or OFF).
It appears that one can not successfully baby his radio except by leaving it
always on or always off and running it totally within specs.
73,
Charles Harpole
k4vud@hotmail.com
----------------------------------------
> From: k4vud@hotmail.com
> To: amps@contesting.com
> Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2012 07:17:22 +0000
> Subject: [Amps] "babying" radios and tubes, can do or not?
>
>
> I want to know if there are any REAL benefits from babying a radio or an amp?
>
>
>
> I hear lots of talk about running lower RF power to "save the finals" or
> "save the tubes" and even hear people talk about turning radios off for
> taking a one hour (or less) break.
>
>
>
> We do know, probably, that high inrush current may stress parts inside tubes.
> But, there must be some smart folks who test things to destruction who can
> speak with scientific instead of parental certainty about this.
>
>
>
> It seems to be true that one can run any of the usual amp tubes at rated
> specs for hundreds of thousands of hours before they really go bad?
>
> I guess tiny impurities in the metal and not a perfect vacuum does lead to
> failure eventually, but what are the real reasons?
>
> What is the real physics condition of a so called "soft" tube? Why?
>
>
>
> What is really the cause of transistor failure if always operated within
> specs?
>
>
>
> And, if you run your 100 watt radio at 80 watts, are you "saving" the radio
> or just your electric bill?
>
>
>
> Inquiring minds want to know. Please.
> 73
>
>
> Charles Harpole
> k4vud@hotmail.com
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>
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