15-04-2015, 01:54 PM
A few months back I discovered that Towers is available on-line: https://archive.org/details/TowersIntern...orSelector
It's a bit intimidating at first glance, given that it is almost nothing but numbers, but that's only because there are so many transistor types in existence. What is really useful, though, is the appendices in the back that show you the physical layout and pin-out of the various transistors...
Speaking very generally, do bear in mind that germanium transistors can give strange readings, even when removed from the circuit. But the junctions are very reliable, notwithstanding the problems with tin whiskers. After tin whiskers, most faults are caused by capacitors.
Some more about vintage transistors here: http://www.markhennessy.co.uk/articles/v...istors.htm
There is a mine of information about repairing all types of vintage radios here: http://www.vintage-radio.com/repair-rest...index.html
Cheers,
Mark
It's a bit intimidating at first glance, given that it is almost nothing but numbers, but that's only because there are so many transistor types in existence. What is really useful, though, is the appendices in the back that show you the physical layout and pin-out of the various transistors...
Speaking very generally, do bear in mind that germanium transistors can give strange readings, even when removed from the circuit. But the junctions are very reliable, notwithstanding the problems with tin whiskers. After tin whiskers, most faults are caused by capacitors.
Some more about vintage transistors here: http://www.markhennessy.co.uk/articles/v...istors.htm
There is a mine of information about repairing all types of vintage radios here: http://www.vintage-radio.com/repair-rest...index.html
Cheers,
Mark
