[Collins] was 32S-1 PLATE CURRENT, now 6146B

[Jim Brannigan]

There was a "magic" 6146 tube.  I don't remember the nomenclature (6883?)
I had one in a 6U8A-6146 6M transmitter (with MD-7 modulator, of course)
Common "knowledge" was that the power out was almost the same as power in!!
Some years later, when I finally got my hands on a wattmeter, the Handbook
lessons about efficiency and tank circuit design were forcefully brought
home.

Jim

> Jim, that really bring back memories.
> What we went after in those days was the 6293 (6146).
> They gave full output and would NEVER wear out.
> In fact I have still a few in some old rigs
> Charles K4QZO (novice in 59)

> ----- Original Message -----
> > I remember the 6146B as the "General" tube.
> >
> > After the Novice year of carefully adjusting the plate current for
EXACTLY
> > 75 watts, it was time to step up to High power.
> > The "sage" advice was to get a 6146B.  This was quite an expense for a
> > teenager.
> > Many single-ended Home-brew, Eico, Globe, Heaths, Hallicrafters, etc.
were
> > upgraded.  There were endless discussions about the correct screen
> voltage.
> > Neutralization was not really talked about, since no one understood it.
> And
> > what the heck, more oscillations meant more power....
> > No one had a wattmeter, but we all knew that 100w lightbulb dummy load
> > glowed a lot brighter
> > and glowing red plates on the final meant more DX!!
> >
> > Jim