A lot of people are very hapyy with the HG2879 16D08. They are not perfect, and not as durable, and do not make the power but the price is good. You just have to operate them like a sane person not your average idiot! If you try to push the voltage or drive like some would on the Toshiba they will pop like Snap Dragon in the hands of a 11 year old boys hands!
They are not designed, constructed or made from the same materials etc....Electricaly different device! They are close enough to keep the illegal amp industry alive and MFJ alive. Good enough to keep repairing old gear. Penta Tubes are not Tesla, GE, Phillips, Sylvania, RCA, Svetlana etc.........Good enough!
I am reminded of many of my fellow Army Brats Korean Mom's "Same-Same, Different!" that is not meant as an insult or negative in any way either it was pretty common. If you reload it would be like IMR4350 vs H4350.
I am not sure anyone knows who is making HG transistors but we do have a point of contact that has not changed since day one. They have a lot of products and you can contact them directly. I have talked with the "owner" and I use that title lightly. On the other hand who do you contact for counterfiet Toshiba's? What other products does "Fake Toshiba" offer in the market place. No idea how you contact "Fake Toshiba". Can I call China or Taiwan and talk with them?
I am not a fan of HG hi-jacking the model nuber of famious obsolete transisters like 2879,1446,454,2290, 1969 etc.......I am glad they did not copy company names and tradmark and they where smart enough not to put "2SC" in front of them or MRF or ST etc......
I am not keen on documentation or lack there of of all the vartiations they have spun up until they got close enough to call it good. I am very happy that they will work with people and continue to spin up new version for continous improvment!
The Toshiba 2SC2879 is not the only bipolar RF transistor upon which amps are built. People focus on it too much given the insane price they go for now and the lack of them in the market place. The good old days are gone and are not comming back. Make the best of what we have. We are darn lucky to have the HG parts inspite of how lacking they are compared to Motorola, Toshiba, ST, Macom parts!
