Stella ST415T: Russian GT322B transistors in place of AF117’s

I picked this little Stella transistor radio from around 1962 up at a amateur radio rally for £1. It is in a state and has no back panel. I thought I would have a mess with it and try out some Russian GT322B transistors in it. See how I got on.
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Tags: transistors
9 Comments
Yes Gary Numan!! That works well doesn't it?
Cool! Wish we could hear Gary Neuman on AM over here; I don't know what would come in on LW, since it wasn't commonly used for broadcasts in N. America. From my memory, a lot of those early germanium transistors (at least in RCA and Motorola sets) were socketted, but this must have been just after all that ended. Good job.
Perhaps, in the old AF 117 transistors, microscopic 'dendrites' formed around the P-N-P junction, in the material in which it is embedded, after a long period. It might be about the crystalline structure of the doped germanium altering through its use…
I guess, as chemical improvement (doping materials and fabrication) over time, the Russian devices are an ideal replacement.
I read once that the Soviets became very good at making germanium transistors because at one time there was a shortage of good quality silicon. Some of the world's first germanium microwave transistors were actually made in the USSR.
I enjoyed your video
Thank you for this great demonstration. I own a Roberts R200 with Tin wiskers (AF117) and I get soon AF137 and a OC44 or 45 for trying to replace them.
I will also try to get the Russian transistors. I let you know the results!
Greetings from the Netherlands!
I thought of a good idea for you….when having to tap the transistors…use a automatic punch…which is a tool you use to put a small dimple in metal, then that will give your drill bit a starting point..Do you know what tool Im talking about…??
I also have this radio with the Philips brand on it. It is very sensitive indead!
GT322V not B