transistor apocalypse

[Andy Le Blanc]

I was looking for a npn the other day, and with the prevalence of smd, many devices are going obsolete.

Now I know I'm getting old, but tubes easier to get than some transistors.

[Structo]

Yes, I hate using PNP transistors but the NPN Ge are getting rare as hen's teeth.

I bought 100 AC75's from Germany and most were either very leaky, very low Hfe or shorted.
He does state they are untested.
He just didn't mention that the came from the cull box.

I thought going with the European angle might source some good ones but these certainly weren't.

[Andy Le Blanc]

oh jeez, funny in a sad way... I have a bone pile, never thought the transistors would be valuable, and I'm having to double check that I can replace the one piece of sand in a circuit with a tube.