Precious metals in USSR televisions: a list of valuable radio components in Soviet tube devices

February 24, 2021

In Soviet times, precious metals were used in TV production, such as silver, gold, platinum, palladium, as they conduct electricity well and ensure uninterrupted operation of the device. They are not subject to the harmful effects of corrosion, due to which the service life of the equipment is significantly extended.

Palladium, platinum and gold in Soviet televisions

When disassembling an old TV, you should pay attention to the packaging, if it is still there, or to the back cover. There is a list of precious metals that are available in specific equipment. To find them, you need to know which parts contain the precious metal. For collected valuable items you can get a good cash reward at the buying point.

Terminals and transistors

Until the 1980s, gold was present only in radio tubes located on a grid near the cathode. But if you look closely at the packaging of a TV made in this era, you can see what precious metals and in what quantities are present in the TV set.

At a time when transistors were extremely popular among the population of the USSR, gold was contained on their substrate, as well as on the contacts of television channel switches. Some gold also included:

diodes;
switches;
connectors;
terminals.

Today, when you are planning to disassemble an old TV and sell off its remains, it is worth asking professionals in which radio components you can find the maximum amount of precious metals. In this case, the sale of such equipment will be the most profitable and profitable.

If long-outdated devices take up extra space and are not used in any way, you can sell any of their components .
First of all, this will be useful for factories, whose warehouses still contain many long-produced devices and their defective components. The use of gold in the Soviet era made it possible to make televisions more reliable and of higher quality; this factor increased the period of their uninterrupted operation. Gold is not subject to corrosive processes, it does not oxidize and is excellent for use in electronics.

An additional source of precious metals in old TVs are microcircuits. TVs made abroad contained smaller amounts of gold, but they also contained it. Today, special factories can easily process it, extract it and use it to make new parts.

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TVs

During the existence of the USSR, domestic industry produced two types of televisions - tube and transistor. In this case, tube TVs are very poor in terms of the content of precious metals; in particular, only the output beam tetrode, labeled as 6P36S, 6P44S, 6P45S or GU50, is of value. That is, it makes no sense to engage in a special search for this technology. unless it comes to hand by chance. But transistor models are more generously stuffed with precious metals, since it is transistors of the KT 502-503, KT-310, KT-814 and KT-940 brands that contain precious metals, in particular gold and silver. Some TV models are equipped in small quantities with green and red KM brand capacitors, as well as yellow K10-17 capacitors.

Extraction Methods

Valuable radio components in televisions contain extremely few precious metals, and therefore it is impossible to obtain them on your own. For these purposes, appropriate knowledge and a chemical laboratory are required. It should also be taken into account that gold mining is inevitably accompanied by fumes harmful to the human body.

Owners of outdated TVs, such as Horizon or Record, are best advised to sell them to an institution that buys such things. The same applies to foreign television receivers. With the help of modern technologies, specialists are able to extract gold from a wide variety of radio components , and the purchase of Soviet televisions is now quite common among enterprises and the general population.

People who have outdated devices with parts containing gold will always be able to sell them at a profit.

It is known that in the 90s, when a huge number of citizens of the former USSR found themselves in an extremely difficult financial situation, many of them disassembled already written-off electronic devices into components, thus obtaining funds.

Computers

Unlike calculators, Soviet computers contain a larger number of green KM capacitors, as well as yellow K10-17 capacitors, that is, when disassembling Soviet-style computer equipment you can provide yourself with a very tempting amount of money. A nice addition is a number of plastic chips, the internal filling of which contains gold.

Precious metals in capacitors

KM-N30

For just 1 kilogram of such green capacitors they can easily pay more than 70,000 rubles! Just think about this amount. Let’s say you collect a little more than 2 kilos of these conderiks for a whole year, then you can quit your job, it’s quite enough for life :-). Quietly-quietly is a mystery and a big secret. But yes! There are such smart people. Come visit your neighbor's old ladies and help them profitably sell an old Soviet radio, black-and-white TV or post-war radio. Another option: buyers post advertisements and buy the equipment for next to nothing, and sometimes simply in exchange for Chinese devices. In exchange, they get super-expensive radio-electronic elements.

If you take a good look around some abandoned port, you may find that on a rusty barge or boat you may find a non-working, but very valuable radio station. The same gifts can be found at the wintering quarters of geologists or border outposts.

One of my friends bought a decommissioned communication station from an ambulance. Just for next to nothing. Well, he pushed better, for real money.

Another was lucky to buy an ATS (automatic telephone exchange) in an abandoned sanatorium. Also a lot of radio electronics.

Tell me why these capacitors are so valuable? Simply because the manufacturer added the most expensive of precious metals to them - platinum and gold.

At the end of 2012, the price of precious metals was:

gold – 1,620 rubles per 1 gram;
silver – 30 rubles per 1 gram;
platinum – 1,500 rubles per 1 gram;
palladium - 700 rubles per 1 gram.

The prices have been rounded up a bit to make them easier to understand. There was a lot of platinum in Soviet radio electronics. As they write in online reviews, even up to 20 grams per 1000 units. It is already very difficult to detect capacitors; they were simply dismantled along with old equipment.

The designers placed a high concentration of platinum and gold in KM-5D capacitors. They even pay 40,000 rubles per kilo of total weight.

It is very interesting and profitable to buy red capacitors KM-N30. The stated price for them is limited to 35,000 rubles per kilogram.

Valuable parts and marked N902M2. The cost is a little less - up to 30,000 rubles per kilo.

Now it is clear that the variation in the price range of capacitors greatly depends on the specific number of milligrams of noble metals placed in them (and how much can be extracted!).

Other types of capacitors are also being accepted, but, it seems to me, there is no point in talking about them: the price is a pittance, but there is a lot of hassle.

So: do you remember? Buying radio equipment that contains green and red capacitors is profitable and profitable.

Money from old trash (Soviet TV and PC system unit)

When talking about recycling obsolete industrial and household appliances, people usually think about environmental problems and environmental pollution. But the use and processing of secondary raw materials is also a huge industry, which involves hundreds of thousands of people, large production facilities and serious capital. Let's try to understand whether an ordinary person, in a crisis, will be able to extract income from the most ordinary things that we throw into a landfill.

Microcircuits

Microcircuits containing precious metals.

Microcircuits of Soviet and imported production in round, ceramic, planar, DIP, packages of certain series.
Microcircuits in a plastic case of domestic production 155 series and the like.
We currently buy Soviet 580 series microcircuits in a black “large” plastic case with white pins. Price up to 500 rubles/kg
We do not buy microcircuits in a ceramic case with nickel-plated terminals (legs), later we will buy them as nickel scrap.

Generator lamps of the GI, GMI, GS, GU series

Lamps containing precious metals.

GS-23B, GS-36B, GI-19B, GMI-2B, GMI-4B, GMI-5, GMI-6, GMI-6-1, GMI-7, GMI-7-1, GMI-10, GMI- 11, GMI-14B, GMI-19B, GMI-21-1, GMI-24B, GMI-26B, GMI-27A, GMI-27B, GMI-32B, GMI-32B1, GMI-38, GMI-42B, GMI- 83V, GMI-89, GMI-90
GU-19-1, GU-29, GU-34B, GU-34B1, GU-43A, GU-43B, GU-50, GU-70B, GU-71, GU-72, GU-73B, GU-73P, GU-74B, GU-78B, GU-84B
GKD1-600/5, TGI1-2500/50, TGI1-2000/35, LI-604 K-1, LI-705, LI-702-1, LI-703, 5 MHz resonator, Quartz K3, RR-7 arrester, Klystron K-12, Klystron K-351, Klystron K-352
We buy generator lamps manufactured before 01/1991. The price of lamps is influenced by the presence of the diamond sign and a number of other factors.
We do not buy radio tubes from USSR TVs without packaging or used radio tubes. More details on the “Lamps” page.

Conditions for accepting parts

We accept radio components in any condition, in any quantity. There are several ways to send electronic components or equipment:

bring it in person to the collection point;
bring it in person to the collection point;
use targeted delivery by transport companies.

Download the price list to see current prices. You are guaranteed to receive payment for your find on the card of any bank in Ukraine.

« Components in radio components

Microcircuits, types, purpose »

Variable resistors

Resistors containing precious metals.

SP5-1, SP5-2, SP5-3, SP5-4, SP5-14, SP5-15, SP5-16, SP5-17, SP5-18, SP5-20, SP5-21, SP5-22, SP5- 24, SP5-37, SP5-39, SP5-44.
SP3-19, SP3-37, SP3-39, SP3-44.
PP3-40, PP3-41, PP3-43, PP3-44, PP3-45, PP3-47.
We buy the listed series of resistors, except for PP3-40 and similar ones, until 1990, after which it is necessary to check for suitability, since not all are suitable.
Resistors SP3-39 need to be disassembled; we buy them with a steel-colored slider. They don't fit with a copper runner, we don't buy those.
We do not buy all other resistors with markings that begin with SP3-0, SP3-3, and so on.
Resistors PP3-40, PP3-43 and the like are suitable until 03.92, after this date a check is required, many are not suitable.
We currently do not buy MLT, OMLT and similar resistors.

Connectors

Connectors containing precious metals.

Domestic-made connectors of all series only with yellow contacts!
Domestic connectors in plastic cases do not need to be disassembled, since the connector body is marked with the year of manufacture. This directly affects the price of connectors.
Contacts (ligature) from domestic connectors with yellow coating of contact parts, including round connectors 2RM, ShR, SNTs, ONTs and the like in aluminum cases.
All connectors with silver-plated (white) contacts must be disassembled into ligature; we do not buy these connectors in their entirety. The ligature is the contacts removed from the connector body.
Imported connectors of certain brands with completely yellow contacts.
We do not buy connectors from motherboards and similar connectors in their entirety; they must be disassembled into contacts (ligature).
Yellow and gray (steel) colored lamellas from domestic and imported boards.
Silver plated slats are not suitable for sale. Silver-plated lamellas, as a rule, are also partially covered with a black coating (oxide).
For additional information on these radio components, see the “Connectors” page.

Read also: Cable channels for electrical wiring, types, prices

Switches, toggle switches, buttons

Switches containing precious metals.

PG2, PG5, PG7, PR1, PR2, PM2-1, PkP2-1, PKN4-1, P2KnTA, PK1S, PK1E, PK2S, P1T3-1V, P1T4-1V, P1M9-1V, P1M11-1, P1M12-1, PT 2-40, PT 3-40V, PT 33; 55, PKn-2.4-1V, PM2-1V, PKn-4-1V, PT 8-1V,3V, PT 8-1V,3V, PT 8-1V,3V, PT 8-1V,3V, PT9- 1, PT11-1, PT13-1, PT23-1, PT25-1, PT27-1, MP-12, P1T-1-1, P2T-1-1V, P2T-1,7,14T,19, P2T- 1,7,14T,19, P2T-1,7,14T,19, OSP2T-1,2,7, PKn-8-1V, PKn-8-2V, PKn-8-3V, PKn-8-4V, PKn-19-1V, PKn-105-1V, PKn-107-8V, PKn-115-1V, PKn-125, PKn-150-1, P2Kn-1V,3V and P2KnTA-1,2,3,4V, P2Kn-1V,3V, P2KnTA-1,2,3,4V, P2Kn-1V,3V, P2KnTA-1,2,3,4V, P2KnT3V,T4V, P2KnT1,3,4V, P3PN-20, PP6, PP8, PP9, PP11, PPK-2-20, TV1-2, TV1-4, VBT, VDM, SHIV-25/4, SHIV-50/4.
The switches and buttons listed are suitable for a specific month and year of manufacture. Certain series of switches were made with white and yellow leads, but are only suitable with yellow leads. With white leads, analysis is required.
We do not buy switches of the MT series, certain MP series and similar ones in their entirety; they must be disassembled into silver-plated parts.
Other switches require analysis.

PC system unit - analysis and search for valuable road radio parts

Now let's see what interesting, from the point of view of secondary raw materials, the computer system unit contains. Here the main value is not the parts, but the boards themselves , primarily the motherboard . All large metal parts need to be removed from it, mainly aluminum radiators, batteries and fasteners.

In this case, plastic and metal inputs and connectors do not need to be removed; they are accepted with them, but the processor can and should be removed. It has its own price. The main thing is that there are two intact chips or “bridges” on the motherboard. Without them, the board is purchased at the price of a regular household price, like from a TV or tape recorder. The generation up to Pentium 4 is bought for 260 - 300 rubles/kg , boards of a later release, including Pentium 4, will be purchased at a price of 200 - 240 rubles/kg .

Which Soviet radio components contain precious metals?

If you decide to “go hunting” for valuable radio components, we recommend that you pay attention to the following types:

capacitors (some models can contain up to 10 milligrams of gold)
microcircuits
transistors
resistors
radio tubes
semiconductor diodes
chokes
LEDs
semiconductors
relay
processors
connectors, etc.

It is better to look for Soviet radio components containing precious metals in devices manufactured before 1989. In the production of later models of technology, 40% less precious metals were used.

Popular models of Soviet radio components with a high content of gold, silver, copper, platinum and other precious metals:

microcircuits of series 133, 134, 155, 142, 564, 1533, 530;
transistors of the KT series (KT9900, KT503, KT203, etc.);
KM series capacitors marked N-30, 5-Dt. Green parts are more expensive;
LEDs with yellow leads;
generator lamps of the GMI, GI, GS and GU series;
resistors of the SP5, SP3, PP3 series.

There are specialized reference books that provide a complete list of radio components indicating the quantitative content of precious metal alloys. They will help determine the cost of a particular component.

Sell profitably

If, as a result of the next audit of your garage, closet, storage room or attic, you managed to find a treasure - old Soviet equipment - do not rush to throw it away or hand it over to the first office you come across. Only a specialist can properly evaluate your find and buy it at a favorable price for you. Our company purchases radio components in any quantity from both individuals and organizations. We offer the best prices in Ukraine for radio-electronic components, both used and new. Contact our operators and they will give you comprehensive information about your “valuable junk”. Free up space from unnecessary, broken things and earn money!