[BC] The ultimate radio?

[WFIFeng@aol.com]

In a message dated 12/03/2005 12:48:26 PM Eastern Standard Time,
richwood at pobox.com writes:

 > Sorry, Willie. They won't. Up the price from $9.99 to $9,900 and
 >  it'll be a runaway hit.

Ya know what... I think you're right... but only if it had *real* tubes in
it, though. <g>

What I wish they would do, is make the thing at least look a bit more
realistic, but hey, it's just a toy.

As for running real tubes on 4AA cells, it is possible, with today's
technology. A DC-DC converter would produce the B+ (about 70-80v is 
all you'd need)
and use the special battery-friendly tubes with the very low current 
filaments.
Granted, it would be far preferable to use 4 alkaline D cells, simply because
you'd want *hours* of use, not mere minutes, but it is very possible.

You know... there may well be a market for radios like this... a vacuum tube
portable radio that runs on just 4 D cells. Imagine what the "Audiophools"
would be willing to pay for such devices? With "compactron" tubes (two or more
elements per envelope) the actual number of tubes could be reduced (prolong
battery life) and performance not compromised. The thing could even have audio
output jacks and a hadphone jack, as well. Use either transistors or 
modernized
"Nuvistor" style tubes in the VHF stages for FM, and it could even be stereo.
(Sneak an IC in there for the stereo decoder, tho.)

With today's technology, it should be fairly easy to fabricate even higher
high efficiency, lower current tubes for such applications. Build a radio with
those and watch them start flying off the shelves, right along with the
$200/foot speaker & power cables. Pure profit.

Here's an idea... a portable, tube-based audio amp for the iPod devices.
Should be a hot seller in those kinds of stores.

Or sell 'em on ebay... What am I bid on this unit? $4,000 going once...

Willie...