Jim Candela wrote:
Many years ago my Astatic 'Rochelle salt" crystal element died from prolonged exposure in my garage. The output from it was low, and distorted. With a burst of curiosity, and desperation I took the bad element apart.
Feeling I had nothing to lose, I did just that yesterday but used sili glue to hold it all together. It was an interesting learning experience. Unfortunately, it didn't help my problem but mine was working; just not to my satisfaction.
It still works about the same so I ordered two new cartridges from Mouser to see if it's me or the cartridge.
I had been wondering how age/time/humidity could have the slightest effect on a quartz crystal millions of years old.
Turns out they are not quartz at all but Rochelle salt which, like all salts, are very hygroscopic and turn to mush in time.
js -- PHOTO OF THE WEEK: http://schmidling.com/pow.htm Astronomy, Beer, Cheese, Fiber,Gems, Sausage,Silver http://schmidling.com ______________________________________________________________ AMRadio mailing list List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Partner Website: http://www.amfone.net Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:[email protected]
