[ARC5] Old Navy Tube Numbers

[J. Forster]

Is Tube Lore available anywhere as a .pdf (preferably free)? The HC seems
pretty expensive.

-John

============



> Yes, see pages 129 and 130 of "Tube Lore" by Ludwell Sibley.  For many
> tubes, like the type 80,  381 or 382 was added to the two digit
> designation:
>
> 80 = 38180
> 19 = 38019
> 39 = 38039
>
> For Some other tubes such as 6C6, 6D6, and 6F7, 38 was added and the
> letter
> was replaced with the alphabetical number for the letter, for example:
>
> 6C6 = 38636 - C is the third letter in the alphabet
> 6D6 = 38646 - D is the fourth letter in the alphabet
> 6F7 = 38667 - F is the sixth letter in the alphabet
> 2A3 = 38213 - A is the first letter in the alphabet
>
> For some three digit tubes we see:
>
> 803 = 38803
> 807 = 38807
> 837 = 38837
> 955 = 38955
>
> And there are other schemes as well.
>
> John  WA4WDL
>
>
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Roy Morgan" <k1lky at earthlink.net>
> Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2012 9:55 PM
> To: "ARC-5 List" <arc5 at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: [ARC5] Old Navy Tube Numbers
>
>> Arc-5 folks,
>>
>> A fellow in Canada has just got two RBC's and an RAB power supply.
>> The schematic I find for the power supply
>> (at: http://www.skywaves.ar88.net/commrx/RCA/RAB/RAB_schematic.gif )
>> has the old navy numbers for tubes - I am guessing that 38180 means
>> type 80 rectifier.
>>
>> Is there a cross reference list of these old 1930's tube types?  My
>> tube notes includes only this message on the topic (I just added the
>> 38180 entry):
>>
>> Roy
>>
>>
>> Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2003 13:01:04 -0400
>> To: glowbugs <glowbugs at piobaire.mines.uidaho.edu>
>> From: "John M. Franke" <j.m.franke at larc.nasa.gov>
>> Subject: GB> 38XXX series tube numbers
>> Sender: owner-glowbugs at piobaire.mines.uidaho.edu
>>
>> Those 38XXX series tube numbers.
>>
>> While trying to get a US Navy military surplus RU-17 receiver working,
>> I ran across some strange tube designations.  The final audio output
>> tube is a 38233, which I had never heard of.  Searches for information
>> seemed fruitless.  Then, scanning the manual for another US Navy
>> military surplus receiver, a DZ-2, I saw a pattern.  The 1939 manual
>> implied that the 38XXX system was a "Former Navy Type" designation.  I
>> observed that the first two digits, 38, was used to designate the item
>> as being a vacuum tube (see:
>> http://www.designation-systems.net/usmilav/electronics.html#_EarlyNavy
>>  orhttp://www.maritime.org/wish-mote.htm).  The last three digits are
>> either the commercial tube designation or a coded version of the
>> commercial designation.  If the first of the three digits is a "0",
>> the following two digits are the commercial designation.  For example,
>> a 38041 is the same as a type 41 vacuum tube and a 38076 is a type
>> 76.  For other tubes, like a 38636, the two sixes are retained and the
>> second digit is replaced with the corresponding letter.  In this case,
>> the third letter in the alphabet is a "C", so a type 38636 tube is
>> actually a 6C6.  A 38646 is a 6D6 and so on.  A short list of tube
>> numbers I have translated is presented below.  Of course, the system
>> did not work for the specific tube I was seeking, but it does seem to
>> work for others.  Is the alignment I discovered real or happenstance?
>> Does anyone else have a clue or reference for the 38XXX numbering
>> system?
>>
>> 38041 41
>> 38076 76
>> 38111A         CW211C
>> 38142 2C45, 45 Special
>> 38145 845
>> 38166 866
>> 38180           80 rectifier most likely
>> 38233 2C21/1642
>> 38636 6C6
>> 38646 6D6
>> 38808 808
>>
>> Sincerely,  John  WA4WDL
>>
>>
>> Roy Morgan
>> k1lky at earthlink.net
>> K1LKY Since 1958 - Keep 'em Glowing!
>>
>>
>>
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>
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