XPost: alt.slack, alt.slack.goathead   
   From: snipeco.2@gmail.com   
      
   mixed nuts  wrote:   
      
   > On 1/7/2026 13:01, Sn!pe wrote:   
   > > phoenix  wrote:   
   > >   
   > > [...]   
   > >> Phototransistors are not really transistors in function IMO, I prefer to   
   > >> think of them as light-sensitive diodes. However, considering them   
   > >> transistors can help explain what a transistor does to the unfamiliar.   
   > >> When light hits the phototransistor, it allows current to pass.   
   > > [...]   
   > >   
   > > Back in the day, I scraped the paint off of a 0C71; it made a   
   > > pretty good phototransistor, so I'd take issue with that.   
   > >   
   > > I grew up with discrete components so none of what you write   
   > > is news to me   
   > >   
   >   
   > I bought a sack of 2N229 geraniums back in 1956 from a lot radio parts   
   > store and made some amplifiers with 'em. They worked good but ft was   
   > about 300 kHz which ain't that great. Then I got an account with Evans   
   > Radio where I could get all kinds of stuff and switched to RCA and   
   > Fairchild Si planar parts like 2N2102 and life got magic   
   >   
      
   Back in ~'62 when I joined the local radio club, they had a stash of   
   NPN 2N706a rejects.  Only ~25% were completely dud, another 25%   
   sub-par and the remaining half were just slightly below spec.  I was   
   given a fistful of them to play with.  Among other things, I built a two   
   metre converter in a two-ounce tobacco tin using them.   
      
   --   
   ^Ï^.   Sn!pe, itinerant wading bird.       My pet rock Gordon just is.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)