Thanks stevem for the info. Yes, a transistor tester is a necessity. The NTE-199 I don't have but the 2N5089's I do and the data sheet showed 25 volt with min (hfe) 400 to max 1200 compared to the nte-199 at 50 volt with min (hfe) 400 to max 900. With a working voltage of + or - 8 volts wouldn't the 2N 5089's be a good substitute? Those (little can type) caps I mentioned earlier with the white marks down one terminal side without any - sign in it, would that still be the negative terminal? I can't use them until I know which terminal is negative and which ones positive. Steve C