There was a thread about the difficulties in obtaining germanium signal diodes,
chiefly 1N34A and the like, and that Schottky diodes weren't quite as good for
converting OM-1 cameras from mercury to silver oxide batteries. Recently, I
came upon an ad from a parts vendor that deals with obsolete military and
aerospace electronic parts, and it hit me that the mil/aerospace world must
have used billions of 1N34A diodes, the jellybean diode of their day, so it
must still be possible to get them. So, I did a little calling around, and
found a source having 50,000 diodes all ready for automatic insertion into
circuit boards. This seemed to be overkill, and that source gave me some other
sources that sell in smaller quantities. There are a number of brokers that
can get small quantities of just about anything. Anyway, I list sources below:
Bertech-Kelex, Torrance, CA. 310-787-0337, x117, Tim. Has 50,000 diodes,
being 5,000 diodes to a reel, at US $0.10 per diode, or US $500 per reel. The
diodes are made by TAITRON in Korea. Tim recommended the following outfits as
having smaller quantities for sale.
Pacific Diversified, 310-822-5022. They have 50 diodes in stock.
Wedge Industries, 503-873-9300. They have 112 diodes (made by Motorola?), and
no minimum order.
There is some kinds of computer system linking these dealers together, so they
all know what everybody has in stock. Tim said Wedge would be the best place
to start.
Please feel free to repost this email to other old-camera groups.
Joe Gwinn
< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
|