[1000mp] RE: AMPS

Sun, 07 Jul 2002 14:27:52 -0400

3 = Triode  / 4 = Tetrode / 5 = Pentode
Blank = Glass / C = Ceramic
Blank = Radiation Cooled / X = Conduction Cooled / W = Water Cooled / V=Vapor Cooled
nnnn = Anode dissipation in watts.
letter and number = Gain characteristics
e.g.

3CX800A7 = Triode - Ceramic - Conduction Cooled - 800 Watt dissipation - Hi Gain

4CW100000A - Tetrode - Ceramic - Water Cooled - 100000 watt

There are some minor variants in the suffixes which sometimes indicate a different base etc.

73 Charley W1TE

lhlousek wrote:

> Some very interesting info so far.
>
> How does Eimac tube nomenclature work?  Does the 4CX or 3CX indicate the type and the following digits the size?  Do all
> 3CX tubes have thoriated tungsten filaments and hence are more robust?
>
> I presume estimable amps like the Alpha 99, ACOM 2000, 1000, and Ten-Tec Titan II using the excoriated 4CX tubes would
> have quick acting grid current protection schemes. The Alpha 87A, and of course the AL1500, 1200 and 800H use 3CX
> tubes.  What about the Svetlana GU48B and GU78 used by Emtron? I understand the GU74 is equivalent to a 4CX type.  And
> then there's the pair of lovely glass enveloped 3-500s in the Ten-Tec Centurion and QRO HF-2000.  They sure are pretty
> but not quite QRO.
>
> One thing I consider very important is good CW QSK.  What I've heard is that vacuum relays are quite fast enough and
> robust (if a little noisy) whereas PIN diode switching, although faster (and silent) is not worth it's relative frailty.
> What has been the experience with these and with the Ameritron PIN diode QSK accessory?
>
> Anyway; however convenient (and operator error proof) the 87A or 2000 may be, for my purposes, I'd eschew the
> microprocessors and turn the knobs myself which would be more in keeping with the troglodytic thermionic character of
> tube technology.  And, although solid state amps may be technically advanced with all the attendant benefits, they are
> rather cold (figuratively) and inscrutable.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm not anti-technology and am not attributing any
> metaphysical character to tubes.  It's just that there's a certain level of nostalgic atavism that I associate with ham
> radio and that I would like to maintain. I say "certain level" because I'm not quite wistful enough to put in the effort
> and live with limitations of a boat anchors.
>
> Lou W7DZN
>
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