[MRCA] TBW and the 803

[w8au at sssnet.com]

Ray Fantini wrote:

> The PA tube is a mystery to me, have tried and tried to damage the 803
> but it won’t die! When I first got the transmitter going collected up
> couple spare 803 tubes because I thought I would need them but still on
> original tube. The transmitter runs full screen voltage on the PA in
> tune mode with no plate, always thought that was supposed to damage a
> tube but has not hurt it yet. The IPA grid drive is always strong but
> that has not been an issue yet, do have a problem getting IPA grid
> current above 5 ma or so epically on higher frequencies but 2 to 5 ma
> appears to be plenty of drive from the IA. Have had issues with finding
> strong 837 tubes but the 803 for a sixty year old tube just goes on and
> on. I am only running about 1.25 kV on plate instead of 2.0 kV but still
> way impressed with old GE transmitting tubes. Anyone have a TDE or
> anything else like that works the tube harder and what have been their
> results?

The TDE aboard USS LST325 still running on original (to me, anyway)
803 final.  Still has gobs of emmission, (high offresonance plate current)
and accepts all abuse.

We are running it now on Museum Ships weekend.  (WW2LST)

Perry w8au