[Milsurplus] Low B+: The Genius of A.R.C.

[Bill Cromwell]

Hi,

I have operated my command receivers with as little as 40 volts, and not
down to 12 or 24 volts on the plates. I know other hams who routinely
operate radios with plate voltages as low as 12 volts. I'm going to give
it a try now this has come up on the list. 

I tried using three or four 9 volt batteries in series to see if the
radios would resume operation without replacing the leaky caps - and
they did. As to whether or not tubes can 'amplify' with dramatically
reduced plate voltages, well... the incoming signals on my antennas are
in the low microvolts and picowatts. In my earphones the levels are much
higher. The volume has to be turned down a bit. Further..these are
superhets with VFOs and BFOs running for CW/SSB reception. The last I
knew tubes have to amplify in order to oscillate. With new caps and all
I still run at about 90 volts on the plates. I see no need to lay on
full steam of 250 volts.

73,

Bill  KU8H