[Heathkit] HW-16 final amp

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 12 Mar 2008 at 12:45, Michael Tortorella wrote:

> Hi all, I just bought a nice HW-16 and have been thinking about beefing it
> up a little.  In particular, I am considering replacing the final amp with a
> 6146.  Has anyone considered this before?  It seems like it should be a
> fairly easy swap (new socket and all), and I would appreciate the net wisdom
> on the subject.

You wouldn't be gaining anything: the 6GE5 is capable of just as much 
power as the 6146: 90 watts input, about 50 watts output. The 6GE5 is 
a surprisingly capable and reliable little tube.

The 6146 draws a bit more filament current: 1.25 amp vs 1.2 amp. 
Other than that, and that the 6146 has a higher plate dissipation rating, 
there isn't enough difference in output power to make a difference.

I wouldn't bother with that sort of change in the HW-16. Besides, 
6GE5s are really cheap and there doesn't seem to be a dearth of them.

My HW-16 has been putting out 50 watts on all three bands for a long 
time. The final amp tube has at least 10 years of operating time on it, 
and seems as good as the day it came from the factory.

Ken Gordon W7EKB