For many of us with vintage transmitters like the Yaesu FL-2100B and Heathkit SB-200 the present lack of 572B tubes is a real crisis. The venerable Cetron 572B's, which were the Rolls Royce of these tubes, are long gone or only in the hands of collectors. The Russian Svetlana tubes ceased to be manufactured in 2012 and they seemed to be of good quality but are only available now as used or NOS. So that leaves the tubes manufactured in China under various names: Shuguang, Penta, Machlett, etc. According to reviews in eHam these tubes are pretty much of variable quality and transmitting life, however some reviews reported that the quality was improving. RF Parts imported Chinese tubes under their own brand as Taylor Tubes, and tested and matched them and you could also return defective tubes. I have had good luck with Taylor Tubes. However if you check on the RF Parts website they have no Taylor 572B tubes available. Neither does DX Engineering. I wonder if the Chinese have ceased manufacturing them or if there is some other reason for the scarcity of supply. For all owners of transmitters that use these venerable tubes this is a serious situation.

Any thoughts on this situation would be appreciated.

Scott, N6CIC

Chinese 572B were lousy anyways. I dumped my 3-500Z tube amp a year ago and the 572B amp 5 years ago. Solid-state is only way to go now. Try to find a pair of Cetron 572B on ebay. You cab buy these on ebay, but are Chinese.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/572B-Machlett- ... %3A2334524

Alternatively, consider converting to a different tube, eg, GI7B. $25 each, new, including shipping on the auction site. 73 Dean

I have been getting good service on a pair of the Taylor 572B's. Plenty of hours at full output.

I'm guessing they are out of them due to the Thing That Shall Not Be named. Just call DX and ask.

Rumor is, the factory that manufactured them had a fire this past spring. Last I heard, there was skepticism it would reopen.

Darrell

I am running three Russian G 811's in my 811H amp and after nearly three years are still going quite well. Have another three as spares for when the first set finally croak.

Would like to get a set of 572b's as well but seems no one can supply them.

As already remarked apparently there was a fire in a adjoining factory which affected the plant that made 572's and they have not reopened.

Guess covid, the great floods and other maladies have come into play.

The Russian G-811 are far superior to any Chinese 811A. Some Hams been using that tube for 20 years and they still make full power out. There is one unnamed ham that states they are bad news. Do not believe them.

Maybe you can get an answer of future availability from the dealers who normally sell them. That's who I would ask first.

Perhaps, but the G-811 or the 811A do NOT have the same specs as a 572B. The OP is asking about 572B specifically. 73 Dean

Reread the posts. I was replying to the poster that referred to the G811 tube.

Thanks everyone for your comments. I was not aware of the G811 tube so I went to eBay and there are quite a few available from Russia and Ukraine. All NOS, military grade, manufactured during the time of the USSR. I have an Ameritron AL-811 and really want to replace the 811's with 572B's if I could find them of good quality. However having a set of G811's as spares might be a good idea.

73s, Scott, N6CIC

Think you will be pleased with the G 811's which are a reliable valve unlike the Chinese versions. I run the three G 811's at 400W CW (my primary mode) and they seem to go forever with no fuss or bother.

It is evident 572B's are unfortunately no longer available at least at the present time.

MFJ may have them, they are in their catalog.

Thought I'd ad my 2 cents. Leave the Chicom tubes alone. I've had nothing but trouble with them in my Collins 30L1 of course the tube are mounted horizontal. I finally found some good american made ones and works great. I'd like to give those ruskie tubes a try. I have a couple of 572B lying around. If I could figure out how to test them I'd like to do trade for G-811's. Plan was to get 4 572's but the price they are now when you can find them I can't justify it. If I could test them that would tell me if their worth anything. I don't want to mix them with my 811's in the amp. Ham radio always social distancing..cheers Alan

Somewhere I got the hint that Surplus Sales of Nebraska has NOS Cetron JAN 811A's. Since I can't find a source for reliable 572B's I ordered a set of three Cetron JAN 811A's from Surplus Sales to have as backup. They arrived today and look brand new.

73s, Scott, N6CIC

I was considering some of those but they are really overpriced. I probably have enough old ones squirreled away to last the rest of my life. But, curious about the ruskie tubes I might break down and order some...73 Alan formerly ke4nu now N0XO