[Milsurplus] Tube id

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

As Mike wrote, 38111 is out of the 5-digit Navy Type Number list.  "38" 
means vacuum tubes.  With most of 38001 through 38099, the last two digits are 
the commercial part number.  For example, 38045 is a 45.  the only exception 
in my list is that 38038 is an 838.  For who knows what reason, some of 
38100 through 38199 are the "200" series commercial numbers.  So 38111 is a 
211, except that my list says "211 Special".  And 38107 is a 207.  However, 
more examples are 800 Series, such as 38101 is an 801, 38143 is an 843, etc.  
And several of the ones that cross to 100 Series commercial do so as the "A" 
or later revision.  38103 is a 203A, 38117 is a 217C, ...  There are a few 
examples of the type 38166A is an 866A.  Then when you get to 38200, they 
make both less and more sense.  38205 is a 0C3/VR-105, 38211 is a 211, 38213 is 
a 2A3, 38222 is an RK-22/3B23, 38250 is a 0D3/VR-150...  So from there on, 
your chances of guessing the right meaning decrease drastically.  38306 is a 
4-pin tube socket.  At 38500, someone got really creative.  38565J is a 
6J5.  38566H is a 6H6...  The highest number in the list appears to be 38959, a 
959.

The Navy appears to have quit using their system on tubes after about 1942.

Robert D

In a message dated 6/1/2013 12:47:53 PM Central Daylight Time, 
kk5f at earthlink.net writes: 
> >I have an 838 and a Navy tube, so marked as U.S.N., CUE 38111.
> >They appear identical from what i can see.
> 
> Doesn't it *also* look like a 211 or VT-4C?  This web site seems to
> think so:  https://www.tubeworld.com/211.htm
> 
> >However the Navy tube does not say 838 anyplace.  I'm thinking
> >that the "38" in the tube number 38111 is the hint that its
> >really an 838.
> 
> Definitely not.  The "38" is part of the old pre-JAN Navy component
> designation system for a vacuum tube...like the 38233 tube in a RU-*
> receiver, or even like 46105 for a receiver (46) number 105 
> (ARA 3 to 6 MHz).
> 
> So you have a tube (38) number 111, which seems to be a US Navy
> name for a 211, which IIRC looks visually like an 838 as well.
> 
> Mike / KK5F
> 

Robert & Susan Downs - Houston
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