Low Gain Silicon Transistors

[Chuck D. Bones]

From my stash:
MPS6530 measured HFE = 75 @ Ic = 5.8mA
2N4123 measured HFE = 59 @ Ic = 5.9mA
2N6517 measured HFE = 73 @ Ic = 0.68mA

Mouser has 2N6517 for 0.183 ea in tens and 0.117 ea in 100s.
2N3903 are also a good choice.

For any part number, there is a range of HFEs. Get more than you need and cherry-pick them. NB: if you buy them from an authorized distributor like Mouser or DigiKey, chances are that all of the ones you'll get come from the same wafer lot and as such will be very consistent.

Don't be afraid to buy BJTs from Amazon, eBay or even AliExpress. Just test 'em and demand a refund if they're out of spec.

It's funny how most people pay a premium for high-gain transistors and here we are, scrounging for the low-gain ones. Sometimes we have to pay a fucking premium for them!

 

[owlexifry]

I'm not sure how low you need em, but the recent 2N3903s from Mouser hover around 115hFE on a DCA55.

dank ive got x10 of these already from a previous order, but thought I might grab some more, or something else to try while im doing an order

Where are you located? From my end 10 of them brings em down to about 41 cents.

a land where a dollar isn't worth much

Mouser has 2N6517 for 0.183 ea in tens and 0.117 ea in 100s.

oh hell yeah, these are a great price! will give them a go.

 

[Chuck D. Bones]

A dollar ain't worth much here in the US either. At this rate, in 10 years we'll all wear $1,000 shoes and drive $500,000 cars.

 

[Nostradoomus]

A dollar ain't worth much here in the US either. At this rate, in 10 years we'll all wear $1,000 shoes and drive $500,000 cars.

and those will be skechers and beige toyota corollas