[Boatanchors] Valiant 6146 Question

[whitebear1122 at comcast.net]

While I've read Glen Zooks 6146 article, and fine article it is too!, I wonder if anyone here has had any personal expereince with 6146 vs 6146B vs 6146W mixing and matching in the PA of the Valiant.  Over the weekend I repaired my Valiant and ended up replacing two of the three 6146's in the PA.  They only blew out after I had overstressed the transmitter while trying to tune up on 160m with an antenna and tuner that just wasn't going to take me there, so it wasn't the transmitters fault nor the tubes fault. I was my error.  I've since replaced the antenna and it tunes fine on 160m now.    After I closed up the transmitter,I then remembered the 6146 mixing and matching debate. I had not paid any attention to the 6146 flavors when put in the replacements.  It seems to be working nicely at least on 80m and 40m.  Haven't tried it on 20m yet.  150 watts output on CW.  I know I have 6146W's in the modulator and they work FB. 

  

I was just curious if others had actually had problems with the mixing and matching 6146's in the PA.  

  

I am also looking to buy some NOS 6146s, either straight, A's, B's, or W's.  I need some spares now. Out of my 4 spares, two are now in the Valiant, and the other two turned out to be weak.  They read 45 on the TV-7 (where 35 is minimum), but then quickly started dropping to the 20's before I let off on the button.  

  

Thanks. 73, Scott WA9WFA