Not to change the subject but a while back I went and picked up a carload of low grade boards (TV) from a retired TV repairman. These are older transistor type, not tube, but as I'm pulling the usual off the boards, what do I spy??? A 3 legged transistor (flat) standing up like a little soldier with gold legs and back. I have to go back thru the boards to make sure I didn't miss any more, but back in the day gold was cheap and the better quality components had it on or in them. Don't just dismiss all the low grade stuff.
Also here is what you would think was a low grade board but if you look close you will see that the traces are gold and not copper. Look them over carefully before you just throw them in the shred pile.
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