[ARC5] What's With 2,000 Volt, 50-Watt Xmtrs??

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 17 Nov 2010 at 0:00, David Stinson wrote:

> I've been looking at some transmitter diagrams 
> that use tubes like the RCA 803 and its kin.
> Take the RCA AVT-12:  This is a simple, late '30s
> xtal-osc-power-amp transmitter intended for 
> small aircraft which delivers about 50 watts out on phone.
> The high B+ for this thing, supplied by an external 
> dynamotor over a long run of cable, is like 1700 volts.
> Why?

That is a darned good question! I have wondered about the same thing for 
years. I suppose ONE reason is that by using suppressor-grid modulation, or 
some other form of grid modulation, one could do away with modulation 
transformers and the MUCH higher primary power requirements of plate 
modulation.

Ken W7EKB