S Tek chan en ee tS) = SS : add Canty RCA MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC., CAMDEN, N. J., U.S. va& FOREWORD On radio communication rests man’s destiny. Like the magic of Merlin, it co trols airfleets, moves armies, guides convoys, dissolves horizons. It is the coordin- ator of fighting legions. It controls the destiny of nations. Power Tubes make radio communication possible. Within their geometric confines evolves the phenomena of electronics on which hinges the complicated functioning of communication equipment. Small wonder then that the need for Power Tubes on the front line of battle is tremendous and that a supreme effort is needed to sup- ply them in the quantities required. That means that Power Tubes for all other Purposes may become even more difficult ro replace. It is, therefore, a patriotic duty and sound business policy to operate tubes wisely, ‘We welcome the opportunity to cooperate in helping RCA Transmitting Tube users to extend tube life to the fullest by setting forth che following suggestions. ‘Operate tubes conservatively. Avoid ove-loading. Follow carefully the instruc- tions and published data outlined in the Instruction Book packed with each tube, Reduce grid, screen and plate dissipation. Use forced ventilation wherever pos- sible. Use adequate fuse and overload-relay protection. Preheat mercury-vapor rectifiers—measure ambient temperatures. Operate tubes having coated cathodes and thoriated-eungsten filaments at ratel cathode or filament voltages. Reduce filament voltage of pure tungsten-filameat types wherever possible. (A 5% de- crease will double tube life when the transmitter can be adjusted for operation closer to maximum permissible distortion). Operate spare tubes occasionally. In presenting the 1942 RCA GUIDE to radio engineers and technicians in the Services and in the war industries, it is oar belief that the up-to-date information contained in this volume will prove most helpful in choosing the right tube for the job and in getting the most from the tubes on the job. Should you desire addition- al information on any of the tubes described herein, or if you have special tube problems, we invite you to write to the Commercial Engineering Section, RCA. Manufacturing Company, Inc., Harrison, N. J. Should you need sales information on RCA tubes or any other RCA product, we invite you to write to the Sales De- partment, RCA Manufacturing Company, Inc., Camden, N. J. Prices in this book apply only in the MCENSE NOTICE FOR RCA TUBES United States of Amerien and are “Ligue fr ly ther han apparatin subject to change or withdrawal with- Revie sommuiation oc ive‘or tou Fhe ‘out notice, Prices are those effective Sot Se Sein do not ener any gene ‘ther Geviee 2 leat October 15, 1941,OUTSTANDING CONSTRUCTIONAL FEATURES OF THE 813 BEAM TRANSMITTING TUBE ‘The 813 Is RCA’s largest glues air-cooled beam transmitting, tube. It is designed for transmittexs requiring exceptional over- all eficiency. It is a logical choice for the ultra-modern final ‘and intermediate 1-£ amplifier that needs no neutralizing, adjust ments and that ean switch channels in a flash. Al the requirements for high-power transmitters haw ing controls and minimum of driver equipment. RCA-818 doubles, triples, and quadruples with unusually high efficiency and high harmonie output, In brief, this exceptional beam tube can handle a greater variety of big-time jobs than any other tube of its size or class, © »eprm werat car @ suorr rmnon PLATE CONNECTOR © euavenr supporr sprixcs @ wowsr surronr © ‘or ceramic mounr surrorr @ to? suey @ sueNep-rURN contROL AND SCREEN GRIDS © weavy ery enaeyr © ance srurpy craparre PLATE @ saeoc1ass vee @ s0rrom suey visc ® cram euaresurrorr sraczr ® vmectvervee carrer conraiser ® osurvee sre ® cenameawsnnr cant nase @® veurronuye riare © ruaverr covnecror ® rwnesrey-ro-c1ass seat ® vorton ceramic tount surpoerTUBE DATA BY TYPES 2vs-G 2x2/879 BAS BAPI/906P1 BAD4/906P4 SAPA/1805P4 SRPI/1802PL SBPA/1802P4 TAPS SAPs/1804P¢ T2APA/i8034 VRv5.30 YRI05-80 YRI0-20 203-4 20k 207 aut ar GENERAL INFORMATION Constructional View of 3 Beam Transmitting Tube Daia Charis Transmitting “Circuit Facts Varlable Fregueney ‘Oscillator Heonomy Transmiiter URE S15 "Transmitter 2 to 160. Meters) Single-Contro! ‘Trans: mitter Using 813 Plate-Modulated Trans- ‘mitter Filter Design Curves SALES DEPARFMENT commercial RCA MANUFACTURING COMPANY, Ine. RCA MANUFACTURING COMPANY, Ine. CAMDEN, S. HARRISON, X. J.TRANSMITTING PENTODE SPECIAL INTERNAL SHIELD DESIGN Sone eit ttre $950 Features Se a ee © mxcePrioxauty, we RCA-802 is a highly versatile transmitting pentode having a maximum plate-dssipation rating of 13 watte (ICAS). 1 is a handy tabe to have around the station because of its adaptability to innumer- able uses such as, for example, r-f amplifier, frequency multiplier, oseillator, and suppressor-, grid- or plate-modulated amplifier. It may also be used as a class A Neutralization is unnecessary in adequately shielded ; the 802 may be operated under the conditions shown - A small condenser of 2 to 3 wif should be connected ‘between control grid and plate to introduce external feed-back. The plate of the tube shows no color at the maximum plate-dissipation rating of 18 watts, The screen should ‘not be allowed to show mare than a barely pereeptible red colar. ‘Mac. Parmisibe Parentage of Max. Rated Plate Voltage and Plate Input FREQUENCY ™ = RATINGS im Yogun (Ao. = D6) oben ects ee ee eke Gc rns gece Sethe sor Cantata pind MAXIMUM CCS and ICAS RATINGS with TYPICAL OPERATING CONDITIONS foo epider of. Oncllatr Penfde — Clam C Tolegraphy Penk Reh Gol lle whoet modulation Bee Pinte Current 8 mo. "Gas, Vale Dib Geis Current (Apaiae Bi 0 her Dati Power (Aran) Be Gite Veurase (Gn Ne 1) 0 es: Yee + Won a precratng mage bt [NOME: Adjust eouoling of Ia and ta for maximum havmoole wat ‘Toke Meuntine Poston (Corret poleriation of Ly and Ty iw cesta \VERFICAL oe HORIZONTAL 4— } TRANSMITTING TUBE DATA 803 TRANSMITTING PENTODE OO meeimect roe sap TRANSMITTING PENTODE ist Price 8] 00TRANSMITTING TUBE DATA f TRANSMITTING TRIODE LOW-DISTORTION CLASS B MODULATOR 15 Warrs INPUT ist Price $13.50 8 0 5 Features CLASS B A-F OUTPUT DISTORTION BELOW 2% SiMe OPERATION AT FULL RATINGS 8 SPECIAL-PROCESSKD GRAPHITE ANODE RCA-B05 is a husky highsmu transmitting triode of the thoviated-tungsten lament type with a maximum plate dissipation of 125 watts (CCS). It is designed both for class B modulator service and for rf ampliger service, Grid-bias requirements of the tube are unusually low. For example, at the maximum plate-voltage rating of 1600 volts in class C telography, a bias of only ~10 volts ls needed to protect the tube against loss of grid-excitation voltage ‘The grid of the 805 Is designed co that the amplifieation of the tube varices with the amplitude of the input signal. This feature facilitates the design of class B at amplifiers and moduistors to give high output with low distortion. _ 'RCA-809 contains a graphite plate that is processed to insure high thermal radic ation and a minimum of gas. The plate tead is brought out to a vugged terminal at the top of the bulb. The small overall size of the tube lends itself to compact cireuit layout. “As an rf power amplifier, RCA-808 may be operated at maximum ratings at frequencies as high as 30 Me Stoccige Power Ouenut (ApBEGE) 00¢ RATINGS eerie BE care eee MAXIMUM CCS RATINGS and TYPICAL OPERATING" Beper"daite CONDITIONS Fae bo bo oer A tie Pn Dear tat BStmre ee ccc ee eae BE Ene core ana ‘Temas Ormao abista satel abe Powe oulgat (Appia) ne Waal APPLICATION ermine Prego Ma, Hed Pt Vtgs snd Pte pt for Mish-Prequencr Ope ‘hme 12 wat ‘Tobe Mountie Position EE tepuation “under the Yating ind of RORIZONTAL—Pisoe ot strode 6TRANSMITTING TUBE DATA TRANSMITTING TRIODE WITH ENCLOSED ANODE tino WATTS INPUT ri Price 22M ewe 806 eee seen water ok Weller Oras Soe Tate te RCA.806 is designed for hard use as a hi Into. sil fb clan Clank nd requives only $4 watts of driving por tube is 225 watts (ICAS). power rf amplifier and class B moda oe can tale an tnt of 1000 watts Maximum plate dissipation of the ‘The plate of the RCA-806 shows an orange-red color at its maximum plate- dissipation ratings, “It is normal Zor the plate to show some color, even et. tow loads. Forced ventilation is required for continuous Key-down conditions in clase C telegraph service and ts recommended for all classes of service at frequencies of 20 Me. or higher. With a cow carrier power of 780 watts and 460 watte for ‘phone, the 806 is fone of the most remarkable Values ever offered in the “‘bigetuber class. RATIOS TerteaL Ormarion: Ee poe Kone Og Get Take 28 io Reser asin sates Oa vee : ss gy Reece e = YER Ccccccccceece: Me Eke weer eco BR ahs MAXIMUM CCS and ICAS RATINGS with TYPICAL ites seni ar he Ak Sabie (OPERATING CONDITIONS es . ai’ ens pra Fea oa pea Tene 1 Agee lg St Bie Beare Conan! m0 Vote BEG Pure Dissieation woe! Te0 mos. Wate waar kia aae00 sis eave 7 ak. Prine Fst eed Pie Yolame and Pe EEE Sa im oS BSC Grid'cutrenAbpzae)TRANSMITTING BEAM POWER AMPLIFIER "LOWEST GRID-DRIVING REQUIREMENT" : ° in Price 82-50 INIMIZES. NUMBNI OF DRIVER STAGES 1 is = beam power transmitting: tube of the hester-cathode type having a ‘of 20 watts (ICAS). It is capable of giving full ower. For example, ix clase C telegraph service, fivo a07'e wil deliver 100 watts of power with the at ing power of less than o low-power, portable, storage stor wil drive ft very i power sensitivity of the 8! ib eapecialy aseful as fveqvene multiplier where high harmonic output is essential, ‘The tube ip also well suited for ‘after ampliter in medium:power transmitters; and is fal be'g Baal spat in low-power transmitters. It is an excelient eryatal oscillator, Neutralization essary in, adeaus alts. “RCABOT cam be operated at ae ‘mum ratings at frequencies as high as 60 Me and at reduced ratings up to 125 Ab, eo ules are capable of modulating 200% anf amplifies of nearly 250 watts Deg Searen Woutace “(Gis No. BS Go Varna tons Ros) APPLICATION A ef ampli crit using the RCA-S7 is shown 08 this sak 6 age, Tt is capable of producing © power output of approx DEAM POWER RY AMPLIFIER on FREQUENCY Ieatey 50 walle as an rf amplifer and alu 2 watts ae pounuee doubler, with felephony' service (ICAS) is approximately 42 watts (Continued on page 9) S ratings. "The carrier power output inTRANSMITTING TUBE DATA ‘Tho “Tritet” erystal-oscillator circuit shown on this age has exceptional eiciencey when propery designed and adjusted. The plate circuit may. be. used. for Ge Cs Como. af, ton “straight-through” “operation, frequency doubling, or al midast frequency quadrupling, whichever is desired. In each tar case, ample excitation is available to fully excite an S07 butter amplifier. A guide for the cathode and plate coils may be obtained trom those designed in Tables 5 and 6 for the Plate-Modulated Transmitter, page 18. HLesCretl of tiautaey "The push-pull 807 circuit shown on this. page will Latent deliver Approximately 100. watts output. It” provides Tearpema DS aC ec ‘edium output with minimum driver requirements. Te alee useful as a ‘buffer to drive amare powerful + See QS? for Apri Ms, for ante on amplifier such as an 838-A, push-pull 806s, oF push-pull Seon Aer seins Hv The creat is devghet fur cathode eying: {t % Cae in desired to Lay the ceslator stage for bres oper shiny Ue screed volinge should bg obtaiged from = 2tS- Solt Soares having 0d regulation. rather. than fro Tin voriee seven reuittons Leradation, the grid len (8) should be raplaced by a fred bine soureorat about 26 13790 polis A wo porosities are encountared in the ci Chi ROH Ha ad Re should be ited: Tei i deszed ig tae plate odulaton, the folowing Shangee ‘should’ be made: He=7000 She wait; 120 ohms, 20 wattag Hees o00 thas, 2 watee; D8 vols maximums and a 1s, 660 oper condense shoulder ete eet ners Hy fp order to compen fale ioe ihe nudletiequench, Sy-pest: Ie of ‘he screen, condensers, Cand GF hath’ these changes the careers Dower output “wil be approximately a wal Eb"watis Phe secondary impesance of ita eansformer should be Shing allowing: for modo. TELS ih Sat: get Sine coms alegre se te taies {tos modulation with excelent (2) Retort of 4 ot 42 fineaiiy ean be obtained with © mode seariiay foihiel St [or Laing an eet power cutpet of shout 60 aie, ower Output 106 Watton Clans © Telegraph Service ! sre gun TRANSMITTING TRIODE QQQ ENCLOSED ANODE 200 WATTS INPUT se Price $95 Features @ EXCLOSED ANODE RCA-80S is a high-mu transmitting triode having a maximum plate-diselpation rating of 50 watts (CCS). It is excellent for use ay an rf amplifier, frequency multiplier, oscillator, and clase B modulator. The anode of the tube almost’ completely encloses the grid and. flament and thus conserves power by eliminating’ loss from bulb bombardment and stray electrons. No insulation is used within the tube between grid and plate. Wherever uninterrupted service and reliability are required, this rugged triode is a wise choice. RATINGS Peewee Yorn (AG. oe DEJ ote TH. 100 valu a Be ei aaa a or ftom on ett of ae oe es sailee aaa vaiaate! = SS MAXIMUM RATINGS with TYPICAL OPERATING Briving ower (Avpren Bos GS with TYE ratoxipet {ASB} owe ora © Max Permiae Pex FREGUENCE © { FUREY reephonsTRANSMITTING TUBE DATA EB TRANSMITTING TRIODES ine ware niroT Pm rome ae Price $2580 809 Features Beareents tin Low VOLTAGE POWER strLy SOW DRIVING Fah fc OPNAATION AT PULL RATINGS ams Hate Eo OPE leeTRANSMITTING TUBE DATA h \ TRANSMITTING TRIODE GRAPHITE ANODE, SHIELDED FILAMENT Gina 20 Warns INUT tis Price 33} Features (© L0H owen wWirH RELATIVELY Low PLATE voLTAGE, Hn era an fare eon EAS) eee = OIG Rittror high thon radiation 7 enetr © SNIEMRE limo Dib bombnamens and sect ©: 20 OPERATION AT FULL RATINGS RCA-S10 is a high-power transmitting triode with a maximum plate dissipation gf 150 watt” UCAS} ad of $3- RCA-BIO esigne for'uso ase ado. equeney amplifier and clase B moviulator. Bceause of its high pervearce, it ean be operated at high plate efiianey with low driving power and relatively low plate voltage. For example, two 810's Yu class C telegraph acrviee (ICAS) will Take @ plate input of 1240 watts and require only 4 watts of driving power Tn clase’ B modulator service (ICAS} two tubes are capable of plate-modilating: 100% an ef amplifier having a power input of nearly one and one-half kilowatts! Grid-bias requivements are unusually low, Ata pate Votaze of 2000 volts, a grid blae af only 48 volts will protect the tube against overionding caused by lowe of grid. excitation. "The filament of the 10 is shiclded at each end. This construction increases power output by eliminating: losses from bulb bombardment and steay electrons. This tube has a graphite anode, specially ‘processed to snsure high thermal radiation and a minimum of gas. Plate and grid leads are brought out to rugged terminals at the top and aide af the bulb, respectively. This design provides very low lend inductance and permits compact eireuit layout for be? installations. RCA-BIO fan be operated at frequencies as high'as 30 Me with maximum ratings. sation tae rete Rar act tecss fautae sce. | Renee! : se. te RCA pe teas BLE Gat Vacrnae MAXIMUM CCS and ICAS RATINGS with TYPICAL, BG Gu cummens «2 SE TD mi OPERATING CONDITIONS ELS BOS aa, 25 ee ds or Power Am elon ‘ip ore ee bas ae ee otherwise meee vlucare or Stu Bee Gn Carne (Avi Be nea ie “SB YS Roeetouunt (dvom) HOSE BS Eerste irre ae Corie conditions per tube for woo with a maz. madlationfoctr of 10 Socket cnncetione itne Cmaie Butte Dus ‘3 mas, 18 ma HORIZONTAL —Piine of elecioodes Seat Ba ie 11TRANSMITTING lek and eed supp id Ei and itd nt The ethos ‘Tesitor should be suitably’ by-passed for bath af. sme rt. ‘The combina” mts ot gl ak and Reo gage hs advance fe my ‘laitsine Ssrton by viarasooly som ane of Mas, Rated Plate Vola 1 S5 C{ Bithane! raashony | APPLICATION A typical single-ended r-f amplificr eixeuit using the 810 or 1627 is shown below. Keying is shown in the lament-to ground return lead. If it is desired to key the oselllator for break-in operation, a partial fixed bias of ~45 volts should bbe used in conjunction with a grid leak (R.) of about 2000, ohms (10 watts). This amount of fixed bias will protect either tube against removal of grid excitation when the key ig open. An RCA-809 operated at reduced ratings or an 807 suitable for the driver stage. For 10-meter operation with ‘an 80-meter crystal, a practical tube line up is an 807 oF GLB “Tritet” erystal oscillator-quadrupler, an 807 buffer~ amplifier and an 809 doubler. The 809 is neoded only for Umeter operation; it may be omitted for the other hands, With a 10-meter crystal and a 6J5 triode oscillator, an 807 can be used to drive the 810 or 1627 directly, thereby provide Ing a S-stage, 10-meter transmitter of respectable power output. (CLASS B MODULATOR (CCS AP Power Output 590 Wattet ‘The rf amplifier circuit shown om this page may be plate modulated by reducing the d-e plate voltage to 1600 volts and ‘the de plate current to 210 ma. The grid current should be inereased to 80 ma. ‘These are CCS values, ‘An important advantage of the RCA-S10 or the RCA-1627 is its suitability in application now using tubes of the so- called “S0-watt” class and where it is desired to increase power without completely re-building the transmitter. In seneral, these tubes can be used to replace a "5 0-watter” with only minor eiteuit changes, including re-neutralizing. If the existing plate supply delivers only 1250 volts, but has ample current eapaeity, the higher plate-current rating of these tubes can be used to increase the plate inpat from 220 to $10 watts. If the plate supply is changed so that it will deliver 2950 volts at 275 milliamperes, the power input can be in- cereased from 220 to G20 watts in clase C telegraphy service! At the higher voltages, some additional driving power will bbe needed, bat this can usually be obtained without any radi- cal changes in the exeiter and driver stages. ‘A class H modulator employing two S10's or two 1627's is also shown on this page, A recommended driver stage tor the modulator employs four 2A3's in class AB,, push-pull parallel, operating at a plate voltage of 200 volts and at a fixed grid bias of ~82 volts ‘The plates of these tubes show a dull red color at their maximum ICAS plate-dissipation ratings. They show only OCS plate. sipation ratings. ‘When considering an 810 or @ 1627 for high power, you save not only on initial tube cost, but also on the cost of the final-stage tank condenser, on the high-voltage power supply, and on the number of exciter stages required, RP POWER AMPLIFIER (60S Power Ontbut 375 Wattet +2000 (0) Bre HST RCA-BIO| [ts cu 3 i ig ak BF. i weit @arc Sourrur ta Gi Tt des : t6o¥. Se, a T | @mre eT E Js 4 o-oo % E°7 & “; ua Los aL colt Oise resaowas f ~ *+20n8y (wane BSOMAIMAK) To* algerie ince ed oma Se) 12 Sid (gone) 8 Avprostmately 47% watts for TOAS. CS satosnatuatd tlophony serve, roe Be Ao 160 sbi octane fet 8B ma The never tat fe appronioniyTRANSMITTING TUBE DATA TRANSMITTING TRIODE ZIRCONIUM-COATED ANODE 3.50 205 WATTS INPUT List Price ee 811 Jigh-mu triode having a maximum platevdissipation rating of 85 watts (ICAS), With a mu of 160, this tube requires mp. bias in clase R_morolator Fervice up to a plats vollage of 1250 volts—and only 1.5 ia —9 volts of bias up 19 1500 volts, ‘The remarkable ability of the $11 to “take it” is due in a large measure to its Bireoniura-coated plate, an RCA development. This ‘ype of anode has very high hheataissipating qualities and in addition Tunctions to Keep the tube hurd during tes entire life. Thus, the S11 i capable of withstanding heavy temporary overloads with- fut damage to ita Aloment emianion. The tube has a rugged, 25-watt, thotiated-tungsten hnlament which insures tremendous resery ‘The features of zero-bina operation, ton e-¥, 120 watts mutput on phone, and 295 watts of mudio in clase 1 (2 tubes) make the 81 one of the’ finest Values’ in transmitting triodes ever presented, RATINGS MAXIMUM CCS and ICAS RATINGS with TYPICAL OPERATING CONDITION teas Bec Pare Youn. ‘ Bi na DIOP Ge! 2275 tase ee 3 yaw Gwe [tne cee ee met cach APPLICATION ting tioned= TRANSMITTING TRIODE ZIRCONTUM-COATED ANODE ut Price SQ 225 WATTS INPUT Features SPATE ANODE ne tin, 812 aaa aaa ct stove ae Sees vats outa wih only 6.5 watie of grid drive, © cok OnFRATION 4m FULL Raminas RCA-812 is a high-perveance, casy-to-drive triode having a maximum plate-dissipation rating of $0 watts (ICAS). ‘This tube, with a mein mu of 2), requires unusually low driving power for class C telegraph and telephone services. ‘Two 12's in class © telegraph service will take a plate input up to 450 watts with the exceptionally: iow driving power of only Id watts, With a carrier power of 170 watts for c-w operation and 120 watts for ‘phone ‘operation, the RCA-S12 is a transmitting triode that is hard to beat on a basis er Yormance' versus cost vito Sim P erat (aDpee) wae ‘As RP Power Anmpliter and Onlatar—clas © Taleeraphy m ‘Trmteat Orman a We Pate alae... BIC Ge’ Gursent (Avia MAXIMUM CCS and ICAS RATINGS with TYPICAL Power Ovtmut (Approx) ‘OPERATING CONDITIONS eRe ts ed fl ease grid idk apd entods neater, Whe cabal Ey pire tor bone ant Bo geet cn TASTES wane Cao (ETT oer a 002 le, 300 ter enti, $2900 Bottom View of Socket Connections ‘ee Moantne Position None, Rotor ehattTRANSMITTING TUBE DATA TRANSMITTING BEAM POWER AMPLIFIER HIGH POWER SENSITIVITY $27.00 360 WATTS INPUT. List Features © mice Powne wiTH suNiMUM oF EQUIPMENT 50 was output wth le than one wath of drive: Any crystal onlator ‘st Mch-power Goel amplifier Sor cick band-chanes, 813 (0 GIANT t-Pry nase Hae abort shell and ide in spacing, OASIS is » beam power transmitting tube of extremely high power sensitivity with 4 maxinum plate-dissipation rating of 100 watts. ‘The tube actually requires less than 1 watt of driving power fo give 205 watts ouiput on exw. Neutralization is unoecessary in adequately shielded circuits. RCA-S13 makes an excellent power amplifer for the final stage of medium-power transmitters where quick froquency-change without new twalizing adjustments ig desirable, and where ‘ minimum of driver eouipment is re. quired, ‘The tube requires a very low screen current. RCA-O13 is also a excellent fe. uency multiplier eapable of giving high harmonie output with unusually high eficloncy. RCA-813 employs the new Molded Glass-Dish type stem structure, which makes practical a compact but powerful tube— only 7% inches bigh—having very short leads and low lead inductance. Other features of the tube include @ heat 5 watt) thoriated-tungsten filament, over-size. graphite plate, domse-top bulb with eushion-mounted supports, and 2 base having a short shell and wide pin spacings. As a rosult of iia special construction, the 819 can be operated at maximum ratings at frequencios as high as 80 Me and at retced ratings as high as 60 Me RCA-815 is conservatively rated at 860 watts input for class C e-w service and 240 watts for plate-modulated service. nt Tpin Aros Bee Eees 2 BRE Se Sp rite, | Bibrageraesy tn ee Bieremeriren ce G HOSEN | SEGRE wath gh aE ara fis a Enea iten! sp Retabe meh: Ma EBs Rapat s Sromrceecs ag Ret Aa Re Power Ampliter snd Oncllatar—Claw © Teleraphy SEEN tia” at" ‘ag lan cos pr be fot mabe MAXIMUM RATINGS AND TYPICAL OPERATING BE some titate we 8 AND ae Be ae Sie z cant RafeModsaied RP Pomer Ampliter—cl aos ome eo ect faery ee Be Bin eats Week RTE ca allt i pre rahe Oa eee aR Eo Pram yeeros iit! at. B:SGuidGeren(Appcocy *t fe Fre a le ices ae Eecwows Wes} ad Re Tube sognting Potton FORIONTAL™Piate inertial pane ‘Series crue sesstr should note ued exept where the 818 Fe pte Be ur, ne rossor in series with maduicted Diatormltage vupply You ould Bot exe 10008 hina. Max, Pembaibe Percentare of Max, Rated Plate Voltage and Plate Taput cunss © | AMEN! teleshony 15TRANSMITTING TUBE DATA APPLICATION A circuit employing the 813 im plate-modulated telephony service is shown on this page, In this circuit it will be noted that the plate-cireuit by-pass condenser Ce is connected to round in series with screen by-pass Cx This arrangement minimizes the by-passing effect of Cy at high audio frequencies and greatly improves the ‘modulation of the sereen voltage. Beeause the screen impedance of the 819 is about 20000 ohms and the series screen resistor required is 60000 ohms, the capacitance ratio of Cs to Cs should be about $ to 1, as indicated in the legend. For operation at 35 Me and lower frequencies, it may be desirable to in- crease the values of Ce and Cy, keeping their ratio the same In class © telegraph service, where the grid excitation or the cathode circuit of the 818 is to be keyed, it is important that the sereen voltage be obtained from a separate, low- voltage source, or from a tap on a bleeder circuit acrose the plate supply. Tt should not be obtained through a series re- sistor as shown in the plate-modulated-telephony eireuit. With the series-resistor method, the d-e gereen voltage will rise to the plate potential when the space current is reduced to zero. This voltage, of course, greatly exceeds the maxiniam screen- voltage rating. When the d-c screen voltage is limited ta approximately 400 volts under key-up conditions, a fixed grid bias of ~45 or ~50 volts is adequate to reduce the plate eur- rent to a safe value; partial fixed bias, therefore, mended in c-w transmitters where the occillator stage is to bbe keyed for break-in operation. The remainder of the Te. quired grid bias ean be conveniently obtained from @ grid Teale PUSIAPULE CW AMPLIFEER Pewer Outpt #20 Watts (Abpees) 1. Mediom Metal Cap 4 Filament Suppert Sern oguy-Duty ThoriatedTonesen The RCA-R13 may also he operated as a gvid-modulated ef power amplifier (class C). Typical oparating eonditions ave! Dee plate voltage, 2000 voltat de aerect) voltage, 400 Wolts; dee grid voltage,’ 120 volts; peak of grid voltage, volts! peak a-f grid voltage, 00 volts; beamforming plate Voltaire, 0; de plate current, 75 ma; and dec screen enrrent, 3 usa, Under these conditions, power output is approximately Bo watts. In gvid-modulated ‘service, the grid bias should be obtained from a Axed supply. Screen voltage. should, be ohtained from a separate source or froma voltage divider connected across the plate-voltage sapply.. Driving power Geually ts ‘negligible apd never more than 2 watts, Audio driving power iz generally never more than 1 Watt PLATEMODULATED CLASS © R-P POWER AMPLIFIER: eS Fs EEL Le r | a =1000¥. (MAX) Ee TOMA (Wa Blader Revisor (10000 obs Geld ele shouldbe sided from plate ecu Yp etal shes, it ct (on lrges) mien Rasen ob (otataer) a, (ortargee) mi,TRANSMITTING TUBE DATA TRANSMITTING BEAM POWER AMPLIFIER CARBONIZED NICKEL ANODE 225. WATTS INPUT tut Price 8730 Features IRBONTZED NICKEL. ANODE: MICANOL. BASE RCA-SI4 i beam tranumitting tobe of the thovated-tymesten lament type with ‘aximum plate dissipation rating of 65 watts (ICAS). The high power sensitivity of the tube makes {t-speclally ssited for uae as an i-t nmphner, freahency multiplier ot cillator, or grid or plate-modulated amplifier, Ror example, a single 814 is capable of Ning a power output of 160 watts jx clas © telegraphy’ (HCAS) with a driving power ofoniy 1.0 watts, The plate connection ofthe tube i brought out to separate eal at the top of the bulb ta maintain low gvid-plate capecitanc The S14 may be operated at maximum ratings fm all classes of service at frequen- cies as high as 30 Me’ and at seduced ratings a high as 75 Me.” Neutralization’ is wn ‘yin adequately shielded clrcuits. ‘For those who require moderately High Dower and dest plekel anode and imum number ‘of transmitter stages, the B14 with its earbonized jeauol base will be found unexeelled. RATINGS Shame Vourser (A, Gof DE) vevercns 309 Yate dusted ptesoitage Sorel ass of FRESE nator Fe tee ie “deo acrous eatee HORIZONTAL Not resommended.TRANSMITTING TUBE DATA I PUSH-PULL BEAM POWER AMPLIFIER re warns twetr 10 2 wares st Price S450 Features 815 a (© USES LESS THAN 44 WATT OF GRID DRIVE (© EXCELLENT FOR EXPERIMENTAL LOW-FOWEK Fat AND TELEVISION © ONLY 409 70 500 PLATE VoUTS REQUIRED © GLAS.UUTTON STEM STHUCTURE PROVIDES SHONT LEADS AND RCA-S15 is the new, low-cost, push-pull beam transmitting tube. It ia designed par- tealatly for use at wave lengths as low as 2 meters. Tt requires little diving power, minimam of driver equipment, and provides full output on only 400 i 500 volts. ‘The exceptional efficiency of the 815 at tho ultra high frequencies is made possible by the balanced and compact structure of the beam units, excellent internal shieldin and close electrode spacing. Internal leads are short in order to minimize lead in Goctance and resistance. A single Bio operating ix push-pull c-w service ts capable of handing 13 watt spt (ACAS) with lan than 0.2 tat of driving vower at freguen- eles aa high as 150 Me. It may be operated at reduced tnpue up to 295 Me (1-% meters) Neutralizing of the tube is usually unnecessary. RCA.S15 is equipped with a big octal-type metel-shell buse using low-loss Mieancl Inculation. ‘The heaters of the tube may be operated either in parallel Trom a 6.3-Volt supply o in series from a 126-volt supply. Whether you buy for regular transmitter requirements or with an eye to. your new whef and television transinitter, you will ind the RCA-819 just about the biggest Value on the market. Te provides push-pull oporation and yet requites but one socket, ‘one eathode resistor, and’ one sereen resistor. CHARACTERISTICS and RATINGS As Grid Mods UUntene otercine epeited, valve are for Doth waite ted Push-Pull WY Power Amplifer — Clase © Teephany iusthee nee ae anon ws Pe BS Ramps ms ‘Gria-Pnte. (With external hiding Somuie inrur Wate Pat nen seer [or rbegeoen Dec Screen. Valtage Yat MAXDMUM OO8 sel ead RATINGS wih TERIAL Een EE SnD Ws oa Remecrmin comune res a Dé Gra Cormat (Appa) occ and Modalator — Clans ABS ccs cas Drivin Power (Aporas)” De Plate VOREAGE coeesecosecece at mm 400 man. Vola Power Ostost (Apeoc) De Some Voucuoe (Grid Noa). mas. 290 as Vole MaxcStowae Scam Inver on) “tae an Waste D.C Plate Voltage 0 S20 Vol Due Sena Youraen (Grid Nol )"22)b00 meme ton ymas Vata Dic Sereon Vorane rie aoe #5 Valu DLC Gato Vantaa (0ri8 No. 1) 375 mas. Valls Bib Gra Volare (Grid Ne 3) AI Ai Yous 10 mas: Ba. Pak AGF Grier Valage @ © Yous = Bee Ga Commer mas, a ZereSieral DO Pate Carre oo 2 Me Peace Inv 0 mes. Wee ‘aed Resistance (Per Pte) et Ohne - Biggie Lead Haine” (Pe 00 Ohm TD Plate Valage soos 2 400 Vote ee Watt Die Sereen Vance te wate rom 8 faed muppiy of M8 Vole 18Phat ree etn at From 6 grid resiaioy of ** 23000 Pak RP Griderld Vohage 8 Due Grd Current (Avorn) 1 A Ae Puhr RP Rover Ample and Onlalg — Cas Teleraphy Dc Pare Vaurnce Fram sail bat of ceaen | Sitch, iw Leieu, rabtance aboull new. exseed {8600 ine {iotal) ie of Mol cant perroat. ME"Satoat Mi Naa, Diiver stage should be cavaie of supplying the erie ot the ee APPLICATION In class C r-f telegraph sarviee, the 815 may be supplied ‘with screen voltage froma separate source, “rom a Volt- age divider, or from the plate supply through a series é- Sistor. "When a series sereen tesistar is used. the segulation of the plats supply should be good enough so thet the plate Yoltage will not exceed 600 volts under key-up concidions. Gi bias may be, obtained ty any ‘onvenient method, ex cept when a preveding stage is keyed. Tn this ease, sufficient fixed bias should be used to maintain the de piste current ata low value when the key’ ie tp Tin plate-modulated class C r-£ amplifier serviee the sereen voltage for the RCA-815 should preferably he obtained from fixed supply modulated simultaneously with the plate Volt Age, although it may also be obtained frum a voltagedrop- Ding resistor connected to the modulated plate supply. Tn aay fase the Screen Woltage tnt be modulated simaltanoasly with the plate voltage so that the ratio of screen vollage to plate voltage remains constant. Modulation of a Axed sepply fan be accomplished by eonnesting the sereen lead to a se. arate winding on the modulation transformer, In grid-modulated class rf service grid bias for the 815 should preferably be obtained from a fixed supply. The plates of the tube are supplied with unmodulated de’ volt: ge. ‘The audio power required im this service is very stall ‘and’ nced be sumiclent only to mest the peak power equine ‘ment of the grids of the clase © amplifier on the positive Power Outpt 4. Watts (HCAS) * crest of the input signal, The actual peal value is general: ly never more than 0.5 watt. The seveen voltae should be obtained from a separate source or from ® Voltage divider amnected across the plate supply. A circuit iMlustrating an ‘pplication of the 815 as an chef plate-modulated amplifier ts shown on thie page. In this service the tube is capable of delivering approximately 45 watts output at a plate voltage of 400 volts. The stage foquires about one watt of ueeful'rf power to insure ample geld excitation of the 815. D-e grid cureent adjustment may be made by varying the coupling between LI-and L2 and fuming C and C2. Amplifier loading is obtained by adjust- ing the coupling of the “hairpin” antenna coil to Li. L1 and LP should be well shielded fom L3 by metal chassis or by ‘4 vertical metal baffle plate used to mount the 815. If de sired, a small lomped Inductance canbe used in place of the grid lines, In this ease, eriieireaie tuning is best. ob= tained by ‘varying ‘the ‘ndietanes of the grid. coll rather than by tuning it with a variate condenser, ‘Additional cfeait information on the 816 ie given under TRANSMIT TER CONSTRUCTION, page 39 ‘The plates of the 815 show no color ‘when the tube is operated at {ts maximum plate-dissipation rat saiauve se ers Bea eT ow a oe Saag, am tee| TRANSMITTING TUBE DATA = HALF-WAVE MERCURY-VAPOR RECTIFIER "JUNIOR OF THE t66-4/t66" tit Price S00 816 RCA-816 ie the junior transmitting-type rectifer, for use partienlarly in medium Power transmitters of 100 watie inpot’ (eal) or Jess. Unlive ordinary, smallhalfe Raver mercury-yapor yecters of this type, the S16 {+ geglened ao that the plate Yead Shrug oot Uifough a separate seal at the top of the bulb, «construction which Simtialin Sem sectelyais and. makes it posse for the tube wo handle a maximum ssa ls, Pn Ales operating in a fulvase eee ring’ fo the input of a chokerinput type fier a restifed th good reptlatton, with exceptional We cand at a RAT FOR RCA-816 HALF-WAVE MERCURY-VAPOR Ue “A RECTIFIER TUBE WITH A LONGER LIFE” List Price 866-A Features 0 osc om 866 sad coment opera a een a a a a eas See iy baw i S teed vor Ro RSUEA/BU0 segment EA an1 BC and may ecco ae a os a Ce ett ea Ponheee aeettioe nee tee oe ee different in, design fs its edgewise= i great mechan i power rating. ron-emitting ea 6h iypes, Secret of the. 88 lnstrated_ on this page. 7 i area’ for the same Al ‘only has tremendous el tube ite For design of RATINGS FOR RC: {Poe avon 20\ eR . TRANSMITTING TUBE DATA | Ww TRANSMITTING TETRODE POWER AMPLIFIER RCA’S MOST POWERFUL TETRODE 1500 Warns INPCT tis Price 313500 827-R RCAS27-R is a transmitting tebrode of the Air-Radiator type only inches high and less than’ inches in diameter—yet_has a maximum plate dieslpation of 800 watts! One 827-F te capable of delivering ite full power output of 1030 teat at Prequencies ax high a 120 Ate. 'Eor this reason the tabe is pareulanly for use as an t-f power ampliter both in frequeney-moddlation and veel as in general broadeast and communication services wing features of the 827-R include its use of (1) thoriated-tungsten filament. with ‘special low-resistance, e-ribbon I indie high eur rent without heating, (2) two multiple-ibbon grid leads that minimize the effect of lead inductance ‘and (3) am entrant metal header-type ‘construction. ‘The hreader-type desig serves not only as a low-induetance terminal for the screen Dut facilitates isolation of the input and output ciresits. Ax a result, nestraliza: ton of the tube is unnecessary except at the very highest frequencies, ‘The plate of the BBT-R is aitooled by means of a highly effeient Anned radiator which forms an integral part of the tube, This radiator must be cooled by means of a vertical How of air from a properly installed air-cooling system. RCA-R7-R is a Temarkable tetrode that opens the hay for Rew seonomies of tube installation ‘and application, Tt is tha answer for dependability of high power at the ultra highs RATINGS 08 mes ust MAXIMUM CCS RATINGS and TYPICAL OPERATING — RAviam, THxtbxsris CONDITIONS Be aaa Fram fod it ower Oviga ApprosimaTRANSMITTING TUBE DATA TRANSMITTING BEAM POWER AMPLIFIER 270 WATTS INPUT List Price $750 . ea vee 828 © Low-DIsTORTION cLass Au, MODULATOR ‘Tipo iis eter ip rate eapat he dortion. ROA-828 is a multi-electrode transmitting tube with a maximum plate-dissipation rating (ICAS) of 80 watts. The tube contains a suppressor and has beam power features. Because of its high power sensitivity, the 828 can be operated in rf services to give fall power output with very little driving power and, consequently, ‘with a minimum of driver equipment. For example, in class C telegraph xervier, th 828 is capable of delivering 200 watts (ICAS) with only 22 watts of driving power! Neuiralization is unnecessary in adequately shielded eireuits. The tube is well suited for use in rf applications as an rf power amplifier, frequency multiplier, oscillator, and grid- or plate-modulated amplifier. Tt makes an excellent power amplifier for the final stage of medium-power transmitters where quick band-change without neutralizing adjustments is desirable, The 828 may be operated at mazi- mum ratings at frequencies as high as 80 Mc and at reduced ratings up to 15 Me. RCA.828 is also well suited for use us a clase AB, modulator and a-f power amplifier, Two tubes in class AR, CCS, fare capable of delivering 400 watts of audio power with only 1 distortion! RCA-S28 is equipped with the MICANOL base having excellent insulating qualities at high frequencies, together with a low moisture-absorption characteristic. The plate connection of the tube is brought out through a separate seal at the top of the bulb to provide high insulation, RCA-828 contains a husky 22.5-watt thorinted-tongsten filament whieh has f great reserve of filament emission, RATINGS DC Sanprenor Cacrest . os Rrawner Vaurasr (AG. OF DG )ovsesesereese 109 Vole ‘aroSial Doo Sere Carn 2 ie Prawenr Cote S28 Amperee ——-MatoBignal IMC Seteon Current a Me Tuamscoxovoranen fr piste at of Gi murs-.. 2800 neomhoe —‘Msive Lond Revita CGutPiate (with eternal shld) ccseeecsoeee QS mA, HE ee teoe Pe af x 2 inpue ecient 38 ie Ha Masia Drawers ‘ Carver conditions ‘er taba for tne with mas, mndaation fester of 1.0 MAXIMUM CCS and ICAS RATINGS with TYPICAL ‘D-€ Surursson Vocraie (Grid OPERATING CONDITION Deny Vata (Ged Na 2 Sax-Stowat D-C Puare Conan len others enc vln are for # tubes oar RP Gre Vohaze vate ZoreStens) Df Pinte Carrent 28 x Drlelng Power (Aporom)er coco RE WassTUBE DATA ‘Av Plate Modulated RP Power Amplifer—Clate © Tole CCarvieesouditone pr tbe fOr hac with mas, modietion Sartor 8f 24) pee'tnd Vtaact From a pid Tarkio of reer aan Bee ia Horan inet Bee Feate Voutae Bog Gam Voraer (anid Not) BS Fare, Gomer 3 Bee Gh coma Seam nro Finer prema. Be Seppremor Valine From « Bocd supply... orion Touur (Appear) ‘Averuzed oer any af ele of soecvave form 4 Zero'senal screen rotage mont sot extend 725 vl 4m cana Fae ‘Tube Mounting Paitin BORONTAESSP Sc Stament er f Hich-Freqeency Opeztion ‘capacitance jn ata ves Mine APPLICATION In pushopull clags AB; service the B28 may be operated as shown under CHARACTERISTICS, ‘The values are. deter= ined on the baats that. no. gid-current flows daving the ‘must positive ewing of the input signal and of cancellation of second-harmonic datartion by virkve af the ptsh-pull c= uit, Fixed blae of wood voltage regulation is tweowimended in onder to realize the maximum power-output capabilities of the class AB, stage. ‘Two 328% are capable of providing power outputs of 40 to 389 watts with very low distortion twhun inverte feedback used. Tn vrid-modulated clase C telephony service, the 828 is supplied wish unmodulated eof gvid voltage and’ with d-c rid bias which is modulated at audio frequencies. Grid bias Should preferably be obtained from a fixed supply. The sup Dressor voltage should te obtained from a batwry or amy Uther dc sotres of good regulation. ‘The screen voltage shoul te obsained frum a separate source or from m vllage divider ff good regulation. ‘The audio power required in this service 4 Sery small, being suficlent only’ to meet the peak irid- Power requirement of the elass C amplifier on the positive Grest of the at input, signal, ‘The actual a-f power is gen- rally never more than 2 watt, depending on cireuit conditions. A circuit illustrating. the application of the 828 in ew serviee is shown on this page. In this service the tube will deliver sppveximately 200 watts with a dee plate veltage of 1500 volts, The power output of the ‘iriver shouldbe fhout 5 watts. ‘Thus almost any. small act of 3-1 power ‘amplifier tbe is suitable for the driver stage. A GV6-G1/G or OLS as x “Tritet” crystal oseillator will drive an £28 satisfactorily, even if ffequeney doubling ie used in the oscillator plate eireut. Although the 828 has @ suppressor gid, this new tube is not recommended for ‘suppressor-modulaved telephony Service. "The tesson ig that the suppressox-voltage/power ‘output characteriatie of the tube ie not linear when the Suppressor is operated wwith a negative bias Tn class C i-f telegraph sexvice, the 828 should be supplied with seveen voltage from # fixed, low-voltage source ifthe 828 or any preceding stage is keyed. ‘The regulation Af this cource need only be geod enough to prevent the serven Voltage, uncer key-up conditions, {tom rising higher than twice the maximum sesven-voltage rating. Grid bias may be obtained by any convenient method, exept when a procesing: Stage ie keyed? in this ease, sufficient Bxed ‘bias shouldbe used to maintain the d-e plate eurent at a Jow value when the key is up. ‘The plate of the 828 shows @ barely perceptible ved color at ils maximum rated plate dissipation of 80 watea: it Shows no color at a plate dissipation of 70 watts or less. ‘The sereen should not Ue allowed to attain a temperature cot Fesponding to more than 2 barely perceptible ted color. PowsR AMPIriERTRANSMITTING TUBE DATA PUSH-PULL R-F BEAM POWER AMPLIFIERS 829 gus 1" 832 gus INPUT AT yt Price List Price 150 Me pike Small encugh to le comfortably in the palm of your handy vst “big” enough to ec unusually high outputs for their sit, the 629 and G3E fil'n long. oeed by en: cers and experiencers for a teanamiteig tube that wil "deliver the goods” at ura highs without need for neuiraliaon. ‘These to beauiflly constructed tee ona wg Bein fovea thin one envop, Tel masons pit de tipstion of the 820"ie'40"watts "otal maxonum plate dissipation of the 89. fe s20WATTS INPUT AT 200 Me A single 829 is capable of giving approximately 83 watts output with less than a watt of ref grid drive, at frequencies as high as 200 Me. Tis smaller brother, the S82, is capable of giving approximately 22 watts at frequencies as high as 150" Me. h tubes may be operated at higher frequencies at reduced inputs The unusual efficiency of these tubes at the ultrahigh frequencies is made pos- sible by the balanced and compact strueture of the beam power units, the excellent internal shielding, and the close electrode spacing. Both the 829 and 832 employ the molded glast’ dish stem which makes practieal a compact but powerful tube ‘and Iow lead inductance. ‘Their terminal arrangements pro- ‘and are designed to facilitate symmetry of elreult layout. having very shor vide excellent Inslati Both the 629 and S22 are of the heater-eathode type. Their heaters are arranged to permit operation from either a 12.6-volt or a 6.2-volt supply. RATINGS x Ha MAXIMUM RATINGS and TYPICAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. “A WHAL OF A TUB FOR ITS SH RCA-829 FREQUENGY [=| = oe 7 REQUENCY PLATE MODULATED 25TRANSMITTING TUBE DATA ULTRA-MODERN TRANSMITTING TRIODE 2000 WATTS INPUT RCA-S33-A is the famous high-power, air-cooled triode with maximum plate dissipation of 480 watts (IGAS). Tt is designed for use az an r-f amplifier, class B modlatos, and oscillator. RCA-8I3-A is similar in appearance to ite’ well known predocescor, the 883, but utilizes a Zinconium-conted anode and includes many other processing refinements. In existing equipment using the former 885, the RCA-83S-A swith forced air cooling ean be used to boost power substan: ally, Small and compact, the S8-A will handle several kilo- watts of power in a tube less than 9 inches high and 45/8 RATINGS Faueenr Vocraoe (AC. oF BC) Vote MAXIMUM CCS and ICAS RATINGS with TYPICAL ‘OPERATING CONDITIONS MaxcSio, Plave Tyres? 125 max. 1600 max, Unlees atherwine apecited, values ove for & tuber Be Pinte Vote awe 00 ata meme esa mk tit Price 835-00 Features © ROA'S MOST POWERFUL cLAs (© 2060 WATTS MAXIMUM INPUT ON > oes: © GIANT ziRcONIUM.COATED ANODE ‘ED FOR LONG DEPENDABLE SERVICK Inches in diameter. For example, with forced air cocling it will take maximum input of 1800 watts (TAS) in plate- modulated service and 2,000 watts input (ICAS) on ew, ‘at frequencies as high as 20 Me. Under CCS ratings with natural cooling, the tube will take a maximum input of 1250 watts at frequencies as high as 80 megacyeles! RCA-SBI-A is designed with post terminals that pro vide a rugged structure and make bases unnecessary, The Zirconium-eoated unode is supported direct from its post terminal at the top of the bulb. The 100-watt thoriat tungsten filament of the 833-A has a tremendous reserve of emission. Thie filament is shielded by means of a special plate construction to conserve input. power by eliminating bulb bombardment and stray electrons. Designed to mest the specification vequirements of com- mereial high-power, high-frequeney applications, RCA-822-A ie built to Tost. Lend Resotnnee Sie, Desi ‘From a fel mupry of. 800 son aa Die Gell Cur. tAporax) TE . 0 Driving Power (Apron). 30 rr e ‘Avera over any tudltregsency eee of sine-mave form,Cte TRANSMITTING TUBE DATA BaF ose th ee we Peon Be sas as er eee hs oo oH |} : 2a. = Be ee [ees | ae = 1 ONS ee “8 ROBERT? service should be designed so that the resistance load pre- has exceptionally goad ‘voltage, regulation ented by the modulated class Camplin, is reflected as When the 883-A'is used in the final amplifier or a pre- the correct plate-to-plate load in the class B a-f stage. For ceding stage of a ow transmitter designed for treakein: ope: example, for the 3000-volt condition, a piate-to-plate load ation and oaillator, keying: a simul amount of fel Ries of 9500 chms ix required. If an, output transformer effeieney taut be used to maintain the plate current at a sate vale of 90% is assumed, two 83%-A’s operated under conditions With plate vollage of 4000 welts: @ ited Uae of gt feast Shown for a 8000-vale plate supply, are eapable of modulat~ “ydryolts shostd te used, Ing 1007 an inpot of ‘approximately 2070 watts to a class The plate of the 883-A shows an orange-red color at the Chr-t power amplifier, Since two 88i-4’s will modulate 2070 maximum plate wwatis'a convenient class © amplifier would be one operat- 2 ing st 6000 volts and 405 milliamperes, These conditions vepresent a resistance of approximately, 12120 ohms. The 06-4 Bh Coneetons Fatie of the outpus transformer ts then 12124-9500, or 1 to 1.18, step-up, Grid bias for class B modulator service thou be cbtained from a butiery or other source of good regula Hon. Te should not be obtained from a high-resistance supply sipation rating for euch class of service "and Plate input for Mirk-Freqencs Operation FREQUENCY = mm | me 27TRANSMITTING TUBE DATA U-H-F TRANSMITTING TRIODE MOLYBDENUM ANODE sas WARTS INPUT oe rote UZ Features © 190 me Ar MAxtMEM RATINGS ToNggrEy gntD AND ob Me St reitcer nut © puate tal (© MOLYBDENUM PLATE (e ARD.GLASS MULE Nitec Pas Sree = ror a ESSE Bsn rane c {FES wacstoay | MAXIMUM CC HALE-WAVE HIGH-VACUUM RECTIFIER THE HIGH-VOLTAGE RECTIFIER WITH A HEATER CATHODE ist Price S50 RCA.836 is a half-wave, high-vacuum rectifier tube of the heater-cathode fave for use in high-voltage rectifying deviees where freedom {rom rt Glstorbances. in the output is an important factor. The excellent volta characteristic of the 838 is the cathode and plate fand to the use of double cal hace cireults, alle 836 ‘wave rectification is accomp ‘The acc input voltage (RMS) for two 826%, plate-to-plate in a full-wave, single-phase eiveuit ‘must not gxceed “580 folts in order to limi the maximn peak inverse’ voltage to the rated value of 5000-vol i ‘use of a suitable choke’ pi condenser im the filter cireuit, the nod we from the rectifier ‘Se Input voltage per tube. On'this b ‘ie output voltage is. 1600 the maximam arc inpUt voltage of 1765 volts Is used, Under the above voltage and filter con- aisle, the reaslaton produced by the drop inthe tube at fulloud enrrnt wi not be wreater han 35 volts, approximately "The eathode of the 886 is connected within the tube to one side of the heater. Therefore, the positive return lead to the Biter and load eiveult should be connected to the heater lead (Pin 4) To which the cathode is connected. When the heaters of two or more ‘operated in paval- lel,'the corresponding cathode leads must be connected together; likewise, the corresponding 28 its when of an6 Socket Connections neuter leads.TRANSMITTING TUBE DATA | DELUXE TRANSMITTING PENTODE 837 FOR EXACTING APPLICATIONS 57.50 2 WATTS INPUT ist Price SJ ia, pene transmitting tue of the 12.¢6-voltheater-cathode type Zor wee a2 ce mpi, reqoencyemulphen eccator, std upgretvor grid or plte-modaated separicusng ie acrageylce eomserca), and brondast equipment. ROAST ie'fomnefvativly rated at‘ maximum’ page dsipaion ot 2 wats. fe maybe operated fh gentmum Tatings ae Seeqaenier up €M0 Meat reduced caings at fropueee fo a Me ie suppreson of the 827 is connected te am individual ase pin to permit suppres: sor modalatln ofthe sabe ss well'arto provide for te ave af separate suppressor sh Voltage for obtaining opisnan power autor fromm the tube. CASH comune 8 Se Sl Interna Shc which, Slats eofimected am ngividual bast per Newtraliaton of the tube i unecessary in adequately soiled cet ‘he fy is equipped with Misens bose prcrone er neriirine Angus Poe tine We ines) wee SEG be iain ee Wes Sea NST ec ig TRANSMITTING TRIODE 838 ZERO-BIAS CLASS B MODULATOR $77.00 220 WATTS INPUT ice rice SI RCA-838 ip a highemu, 3 electrode transmitting tube particularly well sulted for use as a vero-bles class B modulator or a-f power amplifier. Maximum plate dissipation {s 100 watts ‘The grid of the 888 is designed so that the amplification factor of the fube varies vith the amplitude of the input signal, This feature facilitates the design of class B amplifier to Bive high output with low distortion. In class B autio service, two 888s are capable of (Giving an, output of 260 watts voith lese than 5% distortion? As an tof power amplifier, the S38 'may be used at maximum vatings at frequencies as high as 30 Me. RATINGS i i ne cane eather ace, SS RATINGS snd TYPICAL = Mejit Dy nee” "TE :ATING CONDITIONS a " Crean + Aseaged over ‘ dite of seo peraton, Seika ‘plete supply vagy of fat0 wit FoeAND TETRODE HOT-CATHODE GAS TRIODES List Price RCA-884 and RCA-S85 are grid-controlled, gascous-discharge tubes of the heater-cathode type. They are designed for use as sweeprelncvit oseil= Jators in cathode-tay tube circuits Operation of the 884 and 885 ean be controlled by means of a con- denser shunted across the plate eineult and charged thrown « resistor, When the plate voltage reaches brealeiown potential, the condenser dis: harmes through the tube, the plate voltae drops, the gid renumer con. trol and'a new eyele starts, ‘This action results ina. saw-tooth war sihich is exentilly neat, and which is especialy sulted. for ure as Vime base in a ‘cathode-ray oscillograph. The S84 and §83_are char- acterized by extremely low devonization time, the corresponding. prac Ueability of operation at high frequency, and stability of operation, okt cate HOT-CATHODE GAS TRIODE DATA each 884 885 RATINGS FOR 881 AND 885 HOT-CATHODE GAS TETRODES 2050 iat Price $3.00 2051. List Price $2.50 RCA-2050 and RCA-2051 are sensitive, gas-filled tetrodes of the heater endent of ambient temperature over a wide range. Because of the cathode type, designed for grid-controlled rectifier service, Both tubes bave'a steep control characteristic (high control ratio) whieh Is inde- 2 0 5 0 Special electrode structure employed, the precconduction or gas-leak- lage currents to the anode are exiremely small right up to the begin- gaff conduction eyes Tn ition, grid current very foe (les ‘han 04 microampere), so that a le resistance nay be used in the grid cireuit. ‘This characteristic provides tubes ‘with high sensitivity and permits thelr operation divectly from a yacuum-type phototube. 2051 SYVICAL WGWToPsRATED RELAY CELT paTINGS FOR 2050 AND 2051 @) ve] te] tte Circe : Ql : a gaat Se rr eg rere | PEEPS mann Yt ‘Comet vr. 100 mas we. tise wt 31TRANSMITTING TUBE DATA TRANSMITTING TRIODE FOR HIGH PEAR-VOLTAGE REQUIREMENTS oo» warts seu 313.0 Features i a it ve ate era vas Lint Price 0 LGna Win poner resclemneter aid atta cutout with 9 watia of ark? deve OUR’ liane bull tomcat ed SP et 8000 (0 2eMe OPEMATION a FULL RATINGS RCA-800) is high-power transmitting triode with a lbw mu of 105 and a plate dissipation of 150 watts (ICAS), Special feature af the 8000 is ts construction which provides ih insulation Tesintance between electrodes, ‘This’ enables tube to withstand high peak voliages. JECA-S000 fe par iealarly aultable for Use aan ff amplifer and clase B Modulator. A single tube. in class. C) telegraph sorviee (CAS). wit tube «plate input of 620 waite with «grad drive of ‘ondy waite, In class % modulator eervice, two ‘000s wil modulate 1009% nearly 13g llowatts of power! ‘In selfrectifving osellator eleeuts, such a are used in Paonia ate ane 4 uselul power output of 390 watts (85% cireit ficiency): inthis application, as well aa in general radio transmitter Apolieations, the 8600 may be opersted at maxintun ratings at frequencies “os igh "as 0" Sean" wth reduced plate ‘and ipptt ax high as 100 Me. ‘Te tube has a large Mex Perm ‘anode, specially processed, to insure high thermal igton and @ minima of gam The pate and grid leads FREGUENOY fe brought out fo rugged terminals at the top and side of |S og5 c7hamornt aie the bulb respectively. 7 CLASS CFE tatty | 20 Priced right, RCA-8000 offers economy not only in initial tube cost but also in substantial savings in finalstage tank Ber rect Gutpet is Watin CAS condenser, high-voltage power supply, and the number of fexciter stages required [aeaceos RATINGS = RSE Bas Sele tne eh an OA pe a Tor MAXIMUM CCS and ICAS RATINGS with TYPICAL snp rena OPERATING CONDITIONS Be Mae, Yor fasta a Berke “ Septet es ‘From a feed supple of 0 a Soir for, bide ree PICAS plotermoduated telephony servien, rence Es to 1800 vate Bari esear Vase) AM cliche te Wn’ Phe bower nitow i asprosinatey FEE ED rinse tier Dee = ste mas mi Bet iene : (GRE Woe venricar_tue Deve ‘Peeveat Orson in ashi ee aa “38” Me _ HORIZONTAL —Plane of sovtrcen Be Ge comet ain) Ferg ta eg Saas ice soe 5 Watt 33ws TRANSMITTING BEAM POWER AMPLIFIER HIGH BEAM POWER FOR THE HIGHER FREQUENCIES soo warts INpur ist Price S27 30 8 0 0 1 Features ARD-GLASS RULE ENCLOSED TANTALUM ANODE IVER EQUIEMENT. RCA-8001 is a multiclectrode transmitting tube with a maximum plate dissipation rating of 75 watts. The tube contains a suppressor and has beam power features RCA-S001 fills the need by engineers, experimenters, and amatears for a beam tube that. will deliver reasonably high power at the higher radio frequencies. For er ‘ample, one $001 wilt take a maximum plate input of 300 watte at frequencies os high as 75-Me, with only 14 watts of driving power—and without neutralization ‘The tube is particularly well suited as an rf amplifier, frequency multiplier, and suppressor rid-, or plate-modalated amplifier. It may also be used as a class Al a-f power amplifier or modulator and in this service it is eapable of delivering ai proximately 84 watts of audio power with very low distortion, Other features of the 8001 are its dish-type stem which makes possible the use of unusually short internal leads, its hard-glass bulb to withstand extremely high temperatures, its enclosed tantalum anode to insure permanent gas-free oper~ ation and to eliminate loss of power from electron bombardment of the bulb, « giant 7-pin base having ceramic insulation and wide pin spacing, and a S75-watt thoriated-tungsten lament, RATINGS ein biter ampliter'and ie noe ered FREQUENCY crass © { RESON” sarong 300 34* 7 TRANSMITTING TUBE DATA aA TRANSMITTING TRIODE FOR HIGH PEAK VOLTAGE REQUIREMENTS a0 WATTS INPUT ist Price S200 Features fe yimusraxos mone peak voure — @ woHLLENT as ssLnsert {oes tian onoimany Swewarteas seo OeciuLATow SUCH AS fe icu Downe ovrrur wan tow USED IN THEHAPHUTC AF RCA-S003 is @ new transmitting triode with a maximum platedise sipation rating of 100 watts and a low nu of 12. RCA-S006 js suit. able for use as an rf power amplifier, class B modulator, and oscil lator, ‘In clase C telegraph service, it will deliver a power output of 250 watts. “In self-rectifying oecillator eivewits much us ave need therapeutic applications, two 8008'e are eapnble of delivering 0 useful power autput of 380 watt when the cirentt ficiency fe 8%, ‘the tube may be operated at maximum ratings at frequencies ax high as 80 Me—at reduced ratings to 60 Mc. RCA-S003 fs designed with the Standard 92.5 watt thoriated-tungsten filament For & thoroughly dependable, triode either in. standard. titer installations or in the special applieation field, the 8003, logical choice. It is as rugged as they come. Ra’ FuAMENT VaLEAGE (A.C. oh D.C.) As Sele sectiyine MAX, CCS RATINGS with, BS CM Gort TYPICAL OPERATING CONDITIONS Power ute fa sellin c.38 Phare Dageraniog 00ST SP Res a Men Wate See ss va heath s ae [RAF POWER AMPLIFIER USING RCA.H008 — Power Oxtout 350 Wale (Gane © sgehoieg bar ate a ie=36Ma300 WATTS INPUT, 8005 “MINIATURE POWER HOUSE” RCA.8005 is a deluxe transmitting tube of the high-perve- lance type—most powerful of the small triodes. Tt has a maxi ‘mum plate dissipation of 85 watts (ICAS) and a low ma of 20. RCA-8005 is designed for use ax a radio-frequency am- lifer and class B modulator. A single tube in class C tele- graph service will handle 200 watts input (ICAS)— G OTHER PROVEN Pete Tube Classi Tube ‘Tube Clank Dinnipation re Cad pescaierion Lint rice | "RO? Rite BRGESI™ ——escrspriow But Price 203-4 jc, 10 EE Dower Ampito. che) gy Q00 | B45 Als, HAE Pores Amlior Bie: $1900 ode Beige eH Voge, ne " > ‘eoptd) Bul input oi tee Ms Beone'S Yokes a Uace RUS te wise = tems es sme parm tear ma Ai, 08 R Rower Anal, Che tee RP, Power Ampliier, Jee $750 Chee gqqo0 852 (Ain, am Piet coal ate $16° ee me ee Br oe asta ami Ele #195 est Ri Hoe pe dregs rao SS OM SY A TT Monudatog” Heater ses Ais ar 41 alicaateh pee Bee Telos | Roe Sint, Benen al \ 980 ra Sm ta Asta Gt $Q50R | SOB este ELM Am 541508 ( ‘Triode wae, HES Plament Car Tote ont I Valtuge pet Sagi Gwe Sak ete eas wor Ere mpi: Fe 54.5000 | aoc Est Be bie aie, ier ge ‘pry Amati, ime sy go i SAE a | ameevivere: “16s ees E ee aes rea EER aw ge memammin ant ge 3 a Bana seen ge sayse| SG oe eS : . | reno oi, Santa Orman: Ponaee 4200 feoe hitters Gui $4250 | Henisle ss Be Pie Yo | rae Be'Pie Yak’ mado REL ee a, oe Bea oes te dey. "| Seetaerieeae Fee ee eres ee) ae Eo Bie ede as Hees" Seta Serena ( tere 2, Bane, Alisa ta po a aaee, B pecdualor "Ewes once Bron 892 Wale nano Er rower Amalifer Cie $9500 ‘ie Filument” (Volage "t | Unit Hee! current yor Vase 904). | Glas Coe Gato, 10 Be Dek tein, tis age 2ES sen ith Belt we Re cm $4 000 Sethe ve 08, Thole nit ne See ELUM ge Radlie) | seo5 ain aot P_Fowee Ampliten Che gq50 ascent. cata Aik ang royce She pple. Se aa eam Tbe Seen atic, Eo Ea Tees atatmadlin Aral om Spine Ech etl Ae sa Tig Mm car Anatis Sie s750m ‘rane amaty $250 ce eee | Po SSE RA (2) RS Rr Sy eS ; TGs er ae ye ee .HALF-WAVE TRANSMITTING AND TELEVISION RECTIFIERS Me Candeme antes, te Tube semtrrios ‘iain Li Price Tip vaca 3 aw co — $280 aa 378 By 1.500 ona tate son $230 or a a) on 32 em «$2000 857-B — Mercury-Vapor Type. . 8 ao si $24000 ue Pe a“ $1250 Bice ASR uae $115000 Ramo ce tye OO High Veer Troe — o tate. $575 or de ton vote an ster salt coho, se tile pees 20 CATHODE-RAY TYPES (osc WoscoPts, KINESCOPES,ICONOSCOFES, MONOSCOFES, ORTHICON) abe Misie Tube | rae Xie Tae ® pescererion 9" ar Price | NES esenserion i aut Price BEY, LS Geectcwenren aie uw $4350 | 907 ae $4875 sain edcti BEM, HIE Wears Fegee WO $4BIS | 908 nck Don Phmghm gore Oa, Taw §QOO ei ‘peat Erm 0-35 “min wit ee Usek ‘lestoges neat ‘gun =nlh mele 2 fe B8SBiea§ rar = $2750 w= $400 ‘Sensitivity of deflecting: 28 2858 2 9 365000 Inna Gr Biri Vis Ei 8 $BASO (GIS Steg” a es. ae fous oe REA 204 ich Gren Phgonersuren, Oui we §5Q5O Bera hts ce aaetanta $2400 Sim tgs $9500 Bis) SEE Ej LY ie ONY AN MS SESS A APHororuses fy abe mt escateriox Lil hice € Gos eye Fr een ert a BOA pee ie 818 Gre type. Tne high seme for sound reproduction. Usea RCA trpe Socket 9018, uw $450 > ‘Vasu type. For wave and measurements, Hog cathode cap, Uiee RCA type Socket ih $475 (Gas rin type. For sound reproduction, Uses RCA type Sorket $816 Sy a8 $525 - an hu santa \ 924 Gas tgpe, Por ust with roayh, End aisle with intermatinto lamp screw lame $200 S ial? Soop Sarees aw ae RA AROMA aa et) anon ie ee eee a eae or Apa aia Sade Gg ae a isi. Gee Gee LIA ERE SSN Fei eoted reves sot tlie otek Ue BEA pe mentee ae” TR $DOD VOLTAGE REGULATORS (An trv ate slowdlacharee and aye ool exthods oe Se. zs as Tate ase) tae sc un Mice wesw mSSC ya10s20 ue 7 a oat $125 aa 1 1 _m $125 a ” ews a om $150 9 ° Mo * ¢ $090 GEN ee Sa Sa / (SSR ae :SPECIAL AMPLIFIER TUBES oy 8 purcerrion un Pie sie) AE Sp ue Aut wine te hee oieer eee nee eae 70 Set Ltomine Anite She, Feet ales 1 Me i ee IU HCA me 3800 teo2 torah Te ie 1), Un ea a me ent ae 40 $8 y, esa - e ee 1008 orate Pn Comin tH Tmt les 3a ea OH 6D 612 tne Pou An, Snr, Har we 62 Sas ie wee $35 as Somes Ao Pont Anpie Pvt al pes Po linn rpg contin a een. set 0 WR Sc rene ae me ene ees ea | ee ( = qi 1028. ‘heap ident OH tn hd htt‘ OA. fr sans ens re Aner! mt Sia AC ad ney wid tor $00 a See Sara > dabg SESS meee apa eh a Cia wo mee BAe ke. SBI MISCELLANEOUS zoe i.e Gas Hoos aol sy ay ae foe wobne nati iat 0 $600 ‘eeston supe, €. Flnment rings: £27218 5 bo soit m Moga seow beetGENERAL TUBE AND In the following pages, information is given concerning 1a few fundamental subjects ‘whieh are of primary interest to amateurs who are designing, building, adjusting, or oper- sting a transmitter. More comprehensive information on hese subjects as well as on many others of equal smpore ance can be found in the RCA TRANSMITTING TUBE MANUAL, Additional references which few amatews can afford to be without, whether they be newcomers or “old timers,""are the following excellent handbooks: "The Radio Amateur's "Radio Handbook” Handbook” Published by Pablished by ‘The Bditors of RADIO Te A. RRL 1800 Kexwoon Roan, Weer Warrvono, Cox. SANTA BABRARA, CALIF. CHOICE OF TUBE TYPES In the design of a radio transmitter, the choice of the number and types of transmitting tubes ia of paramount im- portance. Engineers, radio amateurs, and others interested in transmitter design are fortunate in having available wnge variety of power tubes with which to work. The very number of tube types may even seem ta be a source of con- fusion, but the problem, if approached logically, represents no great diffeulty. The designer ean, by the simple procese of elimination, reduce the number of tube types suitable for 4 specific applieation to a small group from which a final choice can readily be made. ‘Most modern transmitters ave of the exystal-osillator- power-amplifier type, In almnest every case, however, the Bitimate design revolves around the final stage—the Tf Power amplifier which develops useful 1-1 energy and sUp- plics it to the radiating system. The following considerations are important in the chotee of power tubes for the final am- plifer stage: (1) power eapability, (2) frequency capability, (2) design suitability, and (4) economic suttability. Power capability. The tube oF tubes used in the rf power amplifier should be capable of delivering the desired power output when operated (with a practicable value of efficiency) ‘within the maximum ratings. The efficiency of the final stage Bepends on a number of factors, chief of which are the class of amplifeation and the operating frequency. ‘Typical eff ciencies to be expected In the various classes of amplifor service are as follows Class C rf amplifier = 85 Class C rf frequeney doubler. + 80-50% Grid-modulated clase © rf amplifier... 30-37% Suppressor-modulated elas C r-f amplifier 20-2576 Cathode-modulated clase C r-f amplifier .. 45-807 Class B linear 1 amplifier » + 80-35% Closs B af amplifier 2.4.00... 60-70% Frequency capability. The Gna) amplifier tube or tubes should be capable of operating at the desired radio frequency ‘with sufficient d-e plate input so that, with a practicable Value of effefeney, te required power output ean be obtained. Data for operating frequency versus tube ratings axe usually given under each tabe type A tube which can be used at Braximum ratings at 60 Me is obviously a better high-fre- quency tube than one whieh can be used with maximum rat Ings only up to 30 Me. As the frequency is increased, tube and cizeuit losses increase rapidly and plate-cireult efficiency 46 TRANSMITTER DATA decreases, Almost any tube is capable of operating satisfa torily at frequencies up to 15 Me. At $0 Me and higher fre- quencies, however, a tube should be selected with special at tention to tis high-frequency capabilities. Deeign euitability. Under this broad heading is included a large number of miscellaneous factors which the designer Should consider. Some of these are: (1) Power supply. ‘This factor Is important in the choice of tube types, In portable designs, it may be necessary to tase tubes which can be operated eccnomically from a heavy- Aiuty, low-voltage battery supply. In fixed-station service, ‘where a source of a-c power is available, the problem of -c voltage supplies is greatly simplified through the use of suit- able rectifiers and filters. Even here, however, one tube may be preferable to another because it is better suited Tor use with an available power-supply voltage and/or eurrent. (2) Power sensitivity. In those eases where the total number of stages in a transmitter must be kept to a imum, tubes having high power sensitiv Bloyed. Power pentodes and beam power tubes, such as the 304, 807, and 813, require very litte driving power compared to triodes of equivalent power output. For low-power fe ‘quency multipliers and intermediate amplifier stages, the S02 ppentode and the 807 beam power ampliser are very useful. (8) Cireuit Aexibility. Where a transmitter must be eap- able of operating on « number of widely different. frequen- Clee with a minimum of time required for changing frequen- cies, the use of tetrodes or pentodes (in preference to triodes) ig indicated. Because tetrode and pentode amplifiers do not, in general, require neutralization, the problems that are some” times encountered with neutralized triode amplifiers are avoided. (4) Mechanical considerations, The size and shane of the tube may be important in some transmitter designs be- cause of space or weight requirements. The arrangement of the electrode terminals is sometimes of importance beeause it affects circuit wiring and the mounting of eireuit come ponents. (5) Electrical considerations. It is Srequently convenient to use certain tube types together beeuuse they can be oper ated from a common filament supply, from a common plate- voltage souree, or because they make practieal other simplifi- cations in design and maintenance. Economie auitability. This factor includes not only initial tube cost but also the costs of auxiliary equipment, main- tenance, and operation. An analysis of these eosts will often indicate that itis desirable to modify the design to meet the requirements of = particular installation. R-F Driving Power An important problem in transmitter design is the choice of tube types for the intermediate amplifier, multipter (it any), and oscillator stages. In practice, it it generally con- venient to begin with the rf power amplifier stage and work “backward.” toward the master or crystal-oscllacar stage. ‘The driving power necessary for the final tube (or tubes) ean be obtained, for a epectfied clase of serviee, from the {tabulated tube data. This power, as shown for triodes and tetrodes in class B rf service and in clase C service, te sub- ject to wide variations, depending on the impedance of the dutput or load eireuit. High-impeitance load circuits requite more driving power to obtain the desivel output. Low-im= pedance cireuits need less driving power, but eatise a sacri- fee of plate-cireuit efficiency,‘The driver stage should have a tank cixeuit of good res- lulation and should be capable of delivering considerably more than the rated driving power of the final amplifier tube. For example, if the final amplifier has a rated driving power of 20 watts in class C telegraphy service, the driver stage may hhave to be capable of delivering 15 to 25 watts of rf power in onder to compensate for citeult losses end to have suit able regulation. The actual value will depend on several varinble factors, so that some actual experience is frequently necessary before the designer of a transmitter can ehoose the niest logical tube type for the driver stage. In general, how- ‘ever, it is advisable to have avallable some surplus driving power, beeause class C amplitiers do not operate eflcientiy when ‘under-exeited. An important advantage of ‘pentodes and beam power tubes fs that they require very litle driving ower, s0 that the choice of a sultable driver stage for such tubes ‘usually presents no great. problem. In most cases, the Griver should he operated as an amplifier rather than an @ plate-cireuit frequency multiplier, beeause the efficiency aid power output of the latter are relatively low. The choice of tube types for the stages preceding the last intermediate amplifier depends, of course, on considerations of frequency and power. A typieal aerangement for a high- frequency, ‘multistage transmitter includes a. crystal-con trolled orcillator arid one oF more frequency-multiplier stages: Examples of such transmitters are shown in the TRANS- MITTER CONSTRUCTION SECTION. The number of mul- Hiplier stages (usually frequeney doublers) depends on the frequency of the erystal and on the desired operating. fre- queney. In many ceses, special oseillator efreuits are used sso that frequency multipliestion initially takes place in the scillstor stage itself. “These cireuits usually ‘reduce the nuniber of multiplier stages necessary to reach a specified operating frequency with s erystal whose fundamental tre- quency is a sub-multiple of the operating frequency. Pentodes and beam power tubes, such as the 802 and 7, wespectively, are very useful ax frequency multipliers and low-power intermediate amplifiers. ‘These tubes, shen ‘used in properly designed and shielded cireuite, ordinarily require no neutralization in t-f amplifer service, ‘This vantage is very worthwhile in multi-stage transmitters which necessarily require numerous controls and adjustments, The intermediate amplifier is often driven by the last frequency doubler stage. This arrangensent is quite satisfactory pro- Vided the output of the doubler is sufficient to excite ade- quately the intermediate amplifier stage. GRID-BIAS CONSIDERATIONS ‘There are three general methods of obtaining negative erid bias for vacuum-tube amplifiers. Not all of these meth: ‘ods are suitable for every class of service. The three methods are: (1) fixed soures, (2) grid-leak resistor, and (3) eathode resistor (self-bias). In some applications it may be desirable 0 use a combination of two bias methods, Combinations of srid-leak and eathode-resistor and of grid-leak and fixed bias are frequently employed (see TRANSMITTER CONSTRUC- TION SECTION). 47 Fig. 1 illustrates the use of fixed bias in several types of rf amplifier clreuits. ‘The voltage soarce may be a bat- tury, or a power pack designed to have good regulation. An rf choke and by-pass condenser serve to exelude the rf grid voltage from the biss-voltage supply. Where a tuned grid ireuit fs employed, the 1-f choke fs often not essential end may sometimes even be detrimental to the operation of the cireuit. An r-f choke of the wrong value in the grid circuit, may cause trouble from parasitie oscillations, especially where a similar -f choke is used in the plate circuit. A bias voltage from a fixed source serves to protect the tube against accidental removal of the rf grid excitation, provided the bias is lange enough to reduce the dee plate current to cut- off, or to a low value. ‘The connections for a grid-leak-biased tage are the same 4 those shown in the circuits of Fig. 1, except that a suit- able resistor is sabstituted for the bins battery in each case. ‘The value of the grid leak is determined by Ohm's Inv, R=E/I, where Ris in ohms, E is the negative grid bias (in volts) ‘recommended for the particular elass of service contemplated, and T is the value of d-e grid eurrent (in am- eres) shown tnder “typical operation” in the tabilated data, For example, the recommended grid bias for an RCA-SI12 at 1500 plate volts in elass C telegraph service is ~17H volts: the dee grid current is 25 ma. or 0.025 ampere, The correct aid leak will have a resistance R 3.025, oF 7000 ohms. ‘The power (P) dissipated by this resistor is equal to El, oF P= (175) (0.025) =488 watts. A S-watt resistor would’ be operated neat its maximum rating and might become quite hot, A 10-watt resistor would, therefore, be a logical ehcice. If two tubes are used in parallel or in push-pull, the d-e grid current of both tubes usually flows through a common rid leak, In this ease, the resistance of the grid leak will be one half that for a single tube. ‘The grid-leak bias method has the advantage of simplicity and of automatically biasing the grid im proportion to the excitation voltage available. Because of this automatic action, the bias voltage developed aeross a grid leak is not critically Aependent on the value of the grid-leak resistance. Therefore, considerable variation in the resistance of the leak can usually be tolerated. ‘Special care must be observed when urid-leak bias is used because accidental removal of the r-f ‘grid excitation will eause the grid blas to fall to zero. and (Gn the ease of tube having a low or medium ampliien- tion factor) the plate current to rise to an excessive value, use of a protective devico designed to remove the plate voltage (and sereen voliage, in the case of tetrodes and pen- todes) on excessive rises of plate current will minimize the danger of destrnctive overloads. Pig, 2 illustrates the use of cathode-resistor bins. In these circuits, the cathode current flowing through Ri, builde up a Yoltage drop which makes the cathode positive with respect to ground. Sines the grid is at ground potential with respect to all d-o voltages, the grid is biased negatively with respect t0 the eathode. The eathode current for triodes is the sum of the d-e plate current and the de grid current. For tetrodes and pentodes, the screen current must also be added.Cathode-tesistor bins, or self-biag, ie advantageous in that it tends to. protect the tube against heavy de. plate- current overloads; that is, when the plate current increases, the bias voltage across the cathode resistor also increases, so that the rise in plate current ix automatically opposed, A disadvantage of selE-bias in that the effective d-c. plate voltage is reduced by the amount of the bias voltage. Thu the voltage output of the plate supply must equal the de- sived plate voltage plas the required bias voltage. ‘The value of eathode resistor Re ean be determined by Ohm's law, R=E/L, where Bis in cme, E is the required bigs in volts, and Irs the total eathode current in amperes. For example, assume that the total dee plate eurrent under nornial load” ie 100. milliamperes (0.1 ampere), that the total de grid current is 20 milliamperes (0.02 ampere), fand. thst the required bias is -240 wots, Then, Ry = 240/ 0.130 = 2000 ons. ‘The power dissipated by Te is equal to sr (240) (0.120) =28.8 watts. A SO-watt resistor is a ‘Where a combination-bias method is used, auch as grid- Teale and eathode-resistor bias, the basic formulas used in determining the resistor values are the same as before, The total bias voltage required is divided into two parts’ (not ly equal. parts). For example, an 807 requires a bias of -50 volts in class C r-f sorviee. If we decide to xet 20 volts of this bias from a cathode resistor and the remain- ing 30 volts from a grid leak, the values of 20 and 80 are substituted for “E” in the eathode-resistor and. gridleak formulas given above. In fact, we can see at a glance that the grid Teak will be 80/50 of 0.6 of the value required if L0Use grid-leak bias were to be employed. ‘Thus, for a plate voltage of 500 volts, the grid leak is (0.6) (25000), or 15000 ohms (sce 807 data). The cathode resistor (R.) "will then hhave a value of. 20/ (0,005--0.009--0.002) —20/0.106—180 ‘ohms, where the fullload plate, sereen, and grid currents are 95 ma, 9 ms., and 2 ma, respectively. A 200-ohm re Sistor is close enough and would be used. It must dissipate about (20) (0) or 2 watts; a S-watt resistor is suitable. INDUCTANCE AND CAPACITANCE FOR TUNED CIRCUITS ‘The performance of a transmitting tube definitely de- ends on the characteristics of the cireait in which it is Used. Beeause pavallel-tuned cireuits are almost universally Pre < ceee TRANSMITTING CIRCUIT FACTS i Se ga eer ‘employed for the plate, or output, circuit of vacuurm-tube mt amplifiers, except at ultra-high radio frequencies, considera- tions involving inductance (L) and capacitance (C) ai very important in transmitter design, ‘Tho resonant frequency of the paralléltuned cineutts ‘used in transmitters is given by the telation, Where fi froqeney in lacie pee sesond (he) ‘This relation can be further simplified, so that necessary to tune to a specified frequeney “t" with a known ‘value of eapacitance ""C.” The product of Land C is a eon- stant for a given frequency; the frequency of a resonant cit- cuit varies inversely as the square root of the prouct of n= ductance and capacitance, Doubling both Land C halves the resonant frequency; redueing both Land C to one-halt doubles the frequency, Im actual cireuits, of course, the effect of stray inductances and capacitances of the eireult Wiring and of the tubes must be taken Into account, espeeial= ly at the higher radio frequencies. The value of T. and C should be chosen with consider- able care, Becauso an r-f amplifier tube supplies power only during # fraction of each eyele, the tank eireuit must fune- tion as a “iy-whee!” to earty on the oscillation to the next plate-current pulse. A measure of this Ay-iwheel effect ts the Patio of volt-amperes in the tank circuit to the power de Livered by the tube, This ratio is defined as the operating @, 1t is common practice to employ an operating Q of 10 to 15 for ‘either telegraphy or telephony service. If the value of Q is much lower, there will be considerable distor: tion of the rf waveform with resultant power ovtpit at harmonic froquencles. Harmonie output trom the power amplifier is vory undesirable because it represents wasted power and may lead to radiation at harmonic frequencies ‘hich will cause interference to other radio services, AUvalue of Q which is too high will result in ex. cessive losses in the tank elreuit due 10 the large clveulating Tf current ins high-Q cireait, This condition is evidenced by high plate current even ‘when the tank eireult is not loaded. Other factors being equal, the @ is proportional wo the tuning ea- pacitance in the tank circuit, The capacitance ‘pooded for the tuned circuit of an ¥-f amplifier can be determined approximately from the following re- lation: share Qs constant (abost 10 to 5) Te ie the oat eat carvnt ‘be is tbe Ss plate ehage in ol ‘This value of C is for an amplifier of the single- ended type employing a tank cireuit which is not split. Teta the capacitance in actual vse and not the ‘maximum capacitance of the tank condenser. The value of C determined from equation (4) represents 2 minimayn value; a slightly larger value can Us Sally be used without appreciable Feduetion in power outputWhere a single-ended stage is used with a split tank circuit, the value of G (the total eapacitance across the ine Gaetarce) thould be one-fourth that given by equation (4). ‘The corresponding tank induetanee should be approximately four times that employed in a tank eireuit which is not split, in order to keep the product of Land C the same. For a Push-pull stage of the seme power input, the value of C is also ut one-fourth that given by the formula. Becatse the condenser used in a push-pull stage is generally of the split- Stator type, each section of the condenser should have a feapacitance’ equal to one-half that given by equation (2). ‘The factor Tr used in the equation is the total de plate ‘current of the amplifier stage, regardless of the number of tubes used in parallel or in push-pull. For amateur-ttation design purposes, an operating Q of 12 is satisfactory for either telography” or plate-modulated telephony service, The ehart shown in Fig. 8, based on a Q of 12, presents a simple method of determining the value a Knowing the frequency and the capacitance required, the designer can quiekly determine the proper valve of in duetance in ticrohenrys from equation (3). In order to determine the approximate design of a. singielayer coll to ive the desired inductance, the following formula can be tised: 1 Je the mean radi of te cil facken NEUTRALIZING [A triode used as an x-f amplifier will oscillate because af sf feedback through the grid-plate capacitance of the tube, unless the effect of this feedback is eliminated. Tn tet- odes and pentodes, the grid-plate eapacitance is practically ‘eliminated by means of a screen grid placed between the grid and the plate. Feedback between grid and plate in a triode is nullified by a circuit arrangement which takes some of the of voltage from one cireuit and feeds it back into the other cireuit s0 that it effectively cancels the rf voltage operat- ing through the grid-plate capacitance of the tube. This pro- cedure, known as neutralization, permits a triode to operate asa stable rf amplifier without self-excited oscillations. Parasitic oscillations may still occur, but they ean be elim ‘inated by. proper cireuit design and layout. For proper neutralization, the Ff neutralizing voltage must be opposite jn phase and equal in amplitude to the feedback voltage be- tween the grid and the plate, ‘Typical neutraliaing cirsite are shown in Figures 4 5, and 6 Fig. ilostrater grit neutrliation, where ie reutralising condenser CN ie returned to the balanced grid sleeuie. Figures 5 Sn 6 flustrate Plate neutralization, tehepe Cx insotormed 1 the plate eireut Im balanoed cretts of ti type autre Seine. condenser. CN theoretically should have a capacitance pal io tn ares Plate. capacitance (in) of the. tbe Actually, “however, the coretet value for ON may. vary somewhat from the value of Grr dow to the ‘Peete of tray eapacttance fn the cireuit. The" elreit tome 49 c B+ whieh the neotraliaing voltage is obtained is sometimes not of the balanced type. If the tap on the plate eoll in Fig. & is placed more than half the total umber of turns from the “tube end,” the caps tance required at GN will inerease about in. propor- tion to the relative ‘num ber of turns in the two portions of the call, Tn most eases, it is desirable that CN should bave a small range of eapacitance which is adequate to ex- tend beyond both sides of the required value, to take care of cireuit’ and C~ tube variations, Two triodes in a push-pull cireuit are neutralized by means of two neutralizing condensers connected in the so- called “crisscross” circuit, ‘The grid of each tube Is con- nected through a neutralizing condenser to the plate of the other tube. Two illustrations of this arrangement are given in the TRANSMITTER CONSTRUCTION SECTIO The neutralizing ctreults shown in Figs. 5 and 6 are the ones ‘mest commonly used i amateur transmitters employing single-tube amplifier stages. They are entirely. satisfac tory Tor most trans mitting trodes oper~ ating at frequencies up to 15 or 20 Me, There eireuits may eause am lifer instability at higher frequencies however, especially when used with a tube having « rela tively large plate-‘o-flament capacitance (Cy). The trouble is due to the fact that Cur tends to upset the neutralizing ation of CN, particulary ‘when the operating frequency changed in a 'multi-band transmitter. experienced, it is ad- Wisable to” neutralize the plate-filament. cap- acitance of the tube BY means of an additional neutralizing condenser (C:), as shown in Pig. 7 Condenser Ce shoold have (in balaneed- type plate circuit) ‘rouble is capacitance — approxi IF ‘mately equal to. the plate-flament capaci C= ca tance of the tbe and 4 peak voltage rating equal to that of the grid-plate neutralizing condenser. Neutralizing Procedure The technique in neutralizing an rf amplifier is essen- tially the same irrespective of the type of tube of citeuit employed, As the frst step, the positive high voltage should be removed trom the amplifier. The Alament of the tube should be lighted and the rf grid excitation (from the driver stage) applied. Next, a fairly sensitive mf indicator should ‘be loosely eoupled ta the plate tank coil, Suitable rf indieators are a neon bulb, @ fashlight bulb or a ther- ‘mogalvanometer connected in scries with a one- or two-turn Toop of insulated wine, a vacuum-tube voltmeter, ov a catheode-ray oscillograph. The simple indicators, are usually fore convenient to nse than the more complicated instra- ‘ents, ‘The plate tank circuit of the amplifler should be ‘aned. to resonanee, ‘which will be shown by a maximam reading” on the rf indicator. The neutralizing: condenser ig now adjusted until the rf indicator shows @ minimum reading. ‘This operation may detune the plate tank of the driver stage slightly, 20 that the latter should be earetully retuned to resonance’ The plate tank of the amplifier should fagain be tuned to resonance. The ef indicator will usually Show another maximum reading, but one of considerably lege magnitude than the original reading. The neutralizing condencer is again adjusted for minimum (or zero) r-f indi- ‘cation. After this procedure has been repeated several times, found which shows no rf voltage in the plate tank circuit of the amplifier. As the point of correct neutralization is more elosely approached, the coupling of the r-f indicator ‘will uaually have to be tightened, because there is less r-f oliage available to operate the indicator. After each ad- justmment of the neutralizing condenser, the driver tank and the amplifier tank should be retuned to resonance, When the rf Indicator shows zero r-f voltage in the amplifier tank, the stage is properly neutralized. IE a push-pull stage ix to be neutralized, both neutral- iaing condensers should be adjusted simultaneously, or al- feraately in small steps. ‘They will not, however, always have exactly the same setting when neutralization is reached, because of slight differences in stray capacitances fand beeause the tuned tank cireult may not be electrically symmetrical. A very sensitive neutralizing indieator is a d-¢ milliam- meter eonnested in the grid-return elreuit of the amplifier Which is being neutralized to as to measure rectified grid current. With the plate voltage off as before, the driver tank cireuit is funed until the dec meter in the amplifier grid iteuit shows @ maximum reading. If the amplifier is not properly neutralized initially, tuning its plate tank eircuit Through resonance will cause the d-e grid current to vary. ‘The neutralising condenser should be adjusted slowly while the plate tank cireuit of the amplifier is tuned gradually back and forth through resonance. As the point of correct neutralization is approached, the flicking of the needle of the Ge grid meter will gradually decrease in amplitude. If the amplifier is perfectly neutralized, tuning the plate cireait throught resonance will not change the meter reading even slightly. During these adjustments, the driver plate cireuit Should cveasonally be returned to resonance, as indicated by 2 ip in its e-e plate current or by @ maximum in the d-e rid eurrent of the amplifier. Because the rectifed due grid current is a measure of the r-f excitation applied to the amplifier, the use of a dc tid wister is ueually advisable. The grid meter is not only tiseful for neutralizing adjustments, but it also provides a ‘continuous cheek on the operation of the amplifier and of the river stage as well. In some cases it may he found that, while a setting of the neutralizing condenser can be made which will ive @ definite mininom # indleation, no adjustment will entirely sliminate r-f voltage from the plate tank eireuit. This effect is sometimes due to stray coupling between the amplifier ‘and driver plate tattke oF to stray capacitances between var~ ious parts of the amplifier which tend to unbalance the neutralizing circuit. Adequate shielding between grid and Plate circuits and between stages will often eliminate if diffculties, Shielding may sctually cause trouble, if it ie placed too close to the tuned clreulte oF to the neutralising condensers, It is Important that the fsround lead from the rotor of a aplitstator eondencer be fade divest (and as short as possible) to the flament circuit. TUNING A CLASS C R-F AMPLIFIER In general, the same adjustments are made in tuning different class © vf amplifiers, irrespective of the type of Tube or circuit asad. Although the tuning of a triode rf amplifier is described in the following paragraphs, the pio- cedure applies almost equally. well to tetrose and pentode amplifers. Ta the following: discussion, it is assumed that the triode has been correctly neutralize, ‘The filament of the amplifier tube is lighted, the posity: plate voltage is left off*, und rf excitation from the driver Stage applied. ‘The plate cireult of the driver iv toned to resonance, whieh Is indieated by a dip in the driver plate current ov by a maximum de gridevrvent reading in the amplifier stage. If the amplifier has a tuned grid. cireult, the latter must also be tuned te resonance (indicated by th: rid-current reading). The maximum amplifier grid current obtained by these tuning processes may be too low. Tn this fase, the coupling between the driver and the amplifier may be adjusted to give more amplifier grid current, if this can he done without overloading the driver stage. ‘The pla elrcuit of the driver should be retuned to resonance ¢ve tine the coupling ty changed heeaune of the iteration be tween the various circuits, After the interstaze-couplings adjustments have been ‘made, the amplifier plate tank should be set as near roe- nance as possible. A. protective resistance of adequate size showld then be placed in series with the positive plate-supply lead. Tn the case of large, high-power tubes which are pro- tected by de overload relays, this protective resistor can be omitted, especially in those installations where the de plate voltage’ can be reduced to about. 50 per cent of its rated value by means of taps in the primary circuit of the plate- Supply transformer. ‘The plate voltage is now applied and the plate tank cireuit quickly tuned to resonance (indicated by a sharp dip in the d-e plate current of the amplifier). ‘The plate current at resonance will usually drop to a value between 10 and 20 per cent of the rated fullload value (see Fig. 8), if no load is coupled to the plate clreuit. In ease ‘the plate tank condenser does not have an adequate voltage rating, the high rf voltage developed across the unloaded plate. tank eireuit may cause the condenser to flash over, This effect should not oceur with the de plate volt- — age reduced 50 per cent when the condenser is auitable for the put- pose. If it doce oceur, however, the load circuit ean be Coupled to the plate tank in order to reduce the rf voltage developed. If the plate tank can not be tuned to resonance, the reason will usually be found in improper tunel-cireuit con stants, Either the tank inductance L, or the tank capaci tance C, or both, may have to be increased or reduced, de- pending’ on whether the eireuit is found to tune higher or lower than the desired vequency. The “off-resonance” plate current of an amplifier may be quite high, even with a protective resistor in the plate-supply lead. Por this reason, A tube ahonld not be operated with ita plate circuit on of Fesonanes, except for the very short time requived to make the proper tuning adjustment. If the plate eurrent does not dip normally with the plate tank unloaded, the trouble may be due to insufficient r-f grid excitation, to excessive tank- civesit losses, or to improper neutralization. Beeause the tninimum plate current under no-load conditions depends on the Q of the tank cireuit, on the biasing method used, and on the excitation voltage, the minimum plate-eurrent) valueTRANSMITTING should not be considered too definite an indication of the ficiency of an amplifier. When the ming procedure deseribed has been com- pleted, the load civeuit may be coupled to the amolifer. The load may be an antenna, a dummy antenna (for test pur- poses), of the grid cireuit of w following r-t amplifier stage. When ‘the load is applied, the amplifier plate current will rise. ‘The plate eireuit of the amplifier should be retuned to resonance to guard against the possiblity that the load as caused detuning. The plate current will still dip, but its minimum value will be considerably higher than under rro-load conditions. Pull plate voltage should now be appli land the coupling of the load made tighter, antil the minimum plaie current, (at the dip) reaches the normal value given in the typical operating conditions tabulated under the tabe type. OF course, if the required power output can be ob- tained with a lower value of plate current, the Tond-cizcuit coupling ean bo loosened or the d-e plate voltage reduced. In no case should the dc plate input exeeed the value given under MAXIMUM RATINGS for the particular class of service involved Pentodes and tetrodes ave tuned in the same manner as triodes) Because neutralization ie ordinarily not required for these screen-grid tubes, the cireuite of these tubes are relatively simple and easy to adjust. Tt is quite important in f seteer-grid rf amplifier to prevent stray coupling bee tween the input and output elrcults, Although the use of screen grid in a tube substantially eliminates internal feed- back within the tube, self-oscillation and unstable operation may be caused by external feedback due to stray capaci. tances. Complete shielding of the input and output. cireuit from each other, and in some eases from the tabe itself, is generally advisable. ‘The value of the d-e potential on the sereen usvally has an important effect on power output; adjustment of thi voltage after the cizeuit has been tuned may result in better ‘efficiency and more power output. Care should he observed, however, that the maximum rated d-e power input to the sereen is not exceeded. ‘As the load on an 1-f amplifier is increased, the de grid curvent will decrease. After the load has been adjusted to the desired value, the d-e grid current should be checked, If it has dropped substantially lower than the normal value, insufficient r-f grid excitation or excessive de grid bias may. bbe the eats, ‘The methods of tuning other types of amplifiers will vary somewhat, depending on the class of service in which the tubes are used. Further information on the subjact of tuning ean be found in the 10 radio handbooks listed earlier in this chapter, HOW TUBE RATINGS ARE DETERMINED During the development of an RCA tube, tentative de- signs are ‘constructed to meet desired ratings. For these esigns, the materials chosen, the dimensions used, and the structures employed are based on the chemical and physieal properties of materials, our research work, and the exper lence of our enwinoers with other tube types, both in. the laboratory and in the field, Sample tubes of the new designs are then cheeked for eomplianes with the desired ratings ‘and characteristics. Destructive overload teste are made £0 flotermine if there is a reasonable margin of safety in the designs, Life tests, however, are most impartant of all in the selection of the final design and the determination of final ratings. Groups of tubes are placed on life-test racks and operated under ‘maximum rated conditions. At intervals ey: are removed for electrical measurements, but life test- ing is continued until the tubes fail. When the life tests in- dieate that the design is satisfactory for good tube per formance at the tentative maximum ratings, these ratings are established for the tube type 51 CIRCUIT FACTS INTERPRETATION OF TUBE RATINGS A thorough understanding of the significance of pub: lished ratings is necessary if optimum results are to. be obtained. ‘The following explanation is intended to clarify. the meaning of the ratings tabulated under each individal tube type, ‘The filament or heater voltage given in the tabulations {sa normal value unless otherwise stated. Transformers and resistances in the filament cireuit should be designed to ‘operate the lament or heater at the rated value for full. load operating conditions with an average line voltage, Vari ations from the rated value due to line-voltage fluctuations of other eauses should not exceed plus or minus 5 per cent, unless otherwise stated under the tube type. In general, the filament of a transmitting tube may be operated with ‘either an a-e or de supply, An a-c source is usually employed because of its convenience and economy, unless a d-e source is necessary to avoid hum. With ac operation, the grid return and the plate return should be connected to the mid-point of the Glament eireuit, This point may be the center tap of the filament winding or of low resistance shunted across the flament cireuit. When direct current is used, the return leads should be connected to the negative flament terminal, Where it is found desirable to use d-c filament excita tion on any Slament-ype tube for which data are given on fan ae basis, the grid-bias values az shown in the tabulated data. should’ be decreased by an amount equal to approxi mately one-half the rated lament voltage. The grid-bias voltage should be measured from the negative Slament term~ inl An entively new system of ratings for many RCA Air- Cooled ‘Transmitting Tubes is now in effect. Instead of one set of maximum ratings fora tube, two are available, ‘These alings are designated CONTINUOUS COMMERCIAL SERVICE (CCS) and INTERMITTENT COMMERCIAL AND AMATEUR SERVICE (ICAS). CCS ratings are ‘eseentially the equivalent of former Maximum Ratings and are based on considerations of long tube life and maximum reliability of tube operation, ICAS ratings axe considerably higher than CCS ratings. ‘They permit the handling of much renter pover, but tube life under these conditions, of course, is reduced. However, since there are innumerable applica. tions where the design factors of minimum size, light weight, and maximum power output are far more important than extremely long tube life, the transmitter designer may very properly decide that a small tube operated with ICAS rat- ings better meets his requirements than a larger tube oper ated with CCS ratings. The choice of tube operating con- ditions best fitted for any particular application should be based on a careful consideration of all pertinent factors, In the rating of RCA transmitting tubes, certain tabu ated "values are given as maximum. These are. limiting values which should always be observed in each tube appli cation. ‘Typleal operating conditions are given in the tube data swetion om many of the types. These values should not be confused with vatings, because a tube can be used under any Suitable conditions ‘within. its maximum ratings, according to the application. The output value for any operating con: proximate tube output—that te plate input Circuit losses must be subtracted from tobe foatput in order to determine the useful output. Output values sre approximate and should not be eonsidered as being outiat Tatings. The actual output in any ease depends on a number of variable factors, impartant antong which are eiteuit ef ‘eney and operating Trequency‘This thoroughly engingered VFO is designed to meet modern requirements for @ master control osellator and frequency standard having exceptional frequency stability. Tt has 5- band coverage and high power output with « minimum of tubes. Bandspread extends ftom approximately 120° on 14 Me and 2.5 Mc, to 145° on 7 and 80 Me, Frequency drift of the instrument is less than 400 eycles up to 20) minutes fol lowing a cold start. Thereafter, drift is Ieee than 20 eydles per hour! Tt is practical to recet frequency adjustim within @ few hundred eyeles of a marked point (9.5-Me band). Uses 802 BCO at Reduced Ratings An 02 ie used as a electron-coupled oscillator at greatly veduced ratings, Operation of this well-eeresned pentode at ow ratings minimises frequency drift caused by slightly ‘changing interelectrode eapacitances while the tube warms up, Unguestionably, a reveiving tube may also be operated as fn oscillator to provide equally stable frequeney character istics, but by the time the input of the tube has been reduced sufeiently to obtain the desired stability, its useful output will have dropped nearly to the vanishing point. Then, extra amplifiers are required to make up the lose of power, The #02 in this VFO operates at a plate voltage of approxi- mstely 470 volts, at a sereen voltage of 105 volts (regulated by a VR-105/30), and at a plate current of only & to 10 ma.! Even at these low ratings the tube furnishes enough power to drive an 807 operating as a buffer, doubler, or quadrapl te-s fairly respectable output 52 as OSCILLATOR ‘The cireuit in Fig, 13 shows that a bandswitehing ar rangement is provided for the 802 grid eireult and that switch $, cuts in three different sets of pre-tuned grid-col, pations for practical S-band op- trimmer, and padder combi tration having exceptional bandspread. The lowest L/C ratio consistent with reasonable eflelency is vsed on ali bands. When 160- o S0-meter output is desived the 802 grid éreuit is tuned to 160 meters (1750 to 2050 ke) by means Of Oy Cry Cry Cay and Le, Cy and Cu are zero-temperature- cosffcient condensers. The plate cireuit (located beneath the chassis of the 802) is designed to resonate broadly on either 160 or 80 meters by means of a tanped coll Le, which makes i possible to short out a portion of the inductance by means of Switch S. for S0-meter operation. A separate coil Li is used for 20-meter output, which also Primary reason for using # broadly self-resonant plate ein cuit is to eliminate a tuning eontrol, Secondary ben that it eliminates apparent reaction on the oscillator fre- fauency caused by normal tuning adjustments in the oscillator Hlate cireait, While i is possible to uso an ordinary rf choke in the B02 ‘cordance with the specifications given in the legend of the lected by means of S. plate cineult, TL, and Zs constructed in ac- cireuit provide greater useful output and higher cireuit ef ficiency, Output from the 802 is capacitatively coupled to the 807 stage. Power output from the S07 at the desived fre ‘quency is dependent on the resonant frequency of La and C. Tu is of the plog-in variety and dimensions are given in table 1, page 54TRANSMITTE! For 40-moter operation, $; is set to include the 80-meter arid cinenit of the 802. This eireuit includes Le, Cx Cy, C: C., Grand Cx. C.and Care series padding condensers, used Zor bandspread over the range of 10 to 90 on the dial. Sis sot to short out a portion af Le so that S0-meter output will be obtained from the 802 plate eireuit. The 807 is operated sax a 40-meter doubler. Power sensitivity of the $07 is so high that nearly as much output is obtained at this frequency as is obtained om the two lower frequency bands. For 20-meter operation, S; and S, axe set the same as Zor 40-meter operation, The 807 is operated as a frequency ‘quadruples, Output is still sufficient to dvive a pale of 812'5 {in push-pull to fall power output on 20 meters. Bandspread ‘on this band is approximately 2/9 that on 40 meters. For 10-meter output, S is set to include the 802 20- mieter grid cizeait C),C., Cy and Ls. Cs is a zero-temperature- cooffcient condenser, &1 is set to include I, tuned to resonate the 802 plate cixcuit broadly on 20 meters. The 807 is op- erated az ¢ 10-meter doubler, Bandspread on the 10-meter band covers 10 to 90. Sturdy mechanical construction, proper layout of com- ronents to minimize temperature rise in eritical tuned ce. cults, high-quality parts, good voltage regulation, and che proper use of sulicient zero-temperature-coeficient condensers are the essentials of « well-performing ECO. If these im- ortant factors ave considered from the start, the results are flmost always bound to be satisfactory As ean be noted from the general views of the VFO in Fig, 9, 10, and 11, chassis and panel design is conventional Choice of dimensions may be left completely to individual needs. In this case the chassis is 17° long.x 10” wide x2" deep. The panel is 19° long x 8%" high x 44" thick. ‘The combination provides the necessary solid foun- dation for the job. Frequency Stability Considerations ‘The effective temperature rise of the all-im- portant grid-eireuit components has been limited by grouping the grid-eizcuit components together in one shield box (as shown in Fig. 12) and by isolating this box as far as possible, from all high hheat-diesinating units such as transformers, tubes, and bleeder resistors, ‘The grid-cireuit shield box is 514" = 6" x 54" i size. Only heat-dissipating: clement in this unit is the 802 grid leak R. which may be eomsidered negligible because the grid eur vent flowing through the gid eineuit is unusually: sinall, The 802 itself is mounted to the left of the shield box <0 that the tube projects horizontally away from the box. It is well ventilated—and, what is more important, its heat does not affect the tuned circuits within the box. ‘Ag added precautions to minimize the amount of heat reaching the allsimportant oscillator grid clveuit, the 807, power rectifier tube, and ter chokes are ‘mounted along the rear and side edges of the chasis so that they are well ventilated and are ax far removed from the evid-cireuit shield box as is possible. ‘The stability of the d-c sereen voltage of an oscillator designed primarily for con transformers, CONSTRUCTION stant frequency output is of great importance. ‘The use of a voltage divider for supplying a fixed value of screen vol age is of help but is not sufficient for maximum stability For this veason, @ voltage-regulator tube is used in the sereen-voltage supply of the 802. Tt irons out effects caused by line-voltage variation and reduces oscillator hum, Tt is particularly helpful in eliminating chirps in the output when the oscillator is keyed, Temperature Compensation AIL of the foregoing features sire vital to a smooth per- forming and stable VFO, bat the final results are ineom= plete without the application of temperature compensation to offset the change in frequeney caused by whatever heat does veach the vitel $02 grid citeuit, Judicious use of zero-tem- perature-coeffclent eapacitors in parallel with the three grid- tank civeuits of the oscillator do much to give the oselllator its exceptionally low frequency drift. These capacitors are rot a care-ll but they do. come into their own where fre- ‘queney' drift je due to reasonsibly small amounts of heat, The capacitors ate mounted within the grid shield box and their installation will be covered later on. Assembling the Vital Grid Circuit The shield box has a removable top snd bottom. The five air padders, C., Cy Ca, C Coy and the three grid coils 1s, Tn, and In are mounted on the left wide of the box. Dimensions of Ls, Le and Ls are given in the circuit legend under Fig. 18. The eoile are mounted endon by means of 6-32 spade lugs. Cu, the main tuning condenser, is held in place by three sets of mounting serews and atuds furnished with ft for front mounting. The back of Cy is held in place by a 53 sirip of 14" Bakelite, 244" wide and 6° long, solidly holted tw the opposite sides af the box. The zero-coefMicient eondens- cers are rigidly held between two additional Bakelite strips, These two strips should frst be elamped together and drilled with holes large enough to accommodate the zoro-coefficient condensers. ‘The strips should then be separated and the con- densers inserted. Since these condensers axe in the form ofrather fragile ceramic tubing: it is suggested that they be ‘wrapped with several turns of rubber tape to reduce the danger of cracking ther, This evshioning also aids in damp- ing any possible vibration, The Bakelite mounting strips are then clamped together and bolted to opposite sides of the grid box, as shown in figure 12, They serve a further Purpose by acting as cross-braces to increase the rigidity ‘of the box and of the parts mounted on it, Bandswitel S, 4s mounted on the right side of the grid cireuit shield box. It ig held in place by means of a third Bakelite cross-brace, 8, selects the critieal-tuned grid elreuits and its importance cannot be overestimated. It should be of good quality and be designed with ceramic insulation. , is controlled from the Zront panel by means of a short, flexible shaft which must make 2 rightangle bend. ‘The entire shicld-ean assembly with the 802 on the side, fs then mounted to the chassis by means of four shock-ab- sorbing rubber washer assemblies. A National ACN. was chosen for the tuning control and because it has remarkable froedom irom backlash and ineludes a built-in, cemi-fexible coupling device which compensates for minor mis-alignment of dial or eondonser. Tho ACN dial permits mounting of the tuning control directly on the grid-eireuit shield can a0 tha: the whole assembly including the dial is free to float. ‘The white cardboard dial itself is fastened to a shect-metal back ‘ng plate which in turn is mounted solidly to the chield ean by means of four %" metal studs. These studs are made about 1° long to permit the dial to be placed about %* in front of the main VFO panel and the grid-ireuit shield box about 5" behind the VFO panel. Clearance holes are made {n the VFO panel to allow for suitable elearance of the studs ‘Tho studs are drilled and tapped at each end for 6-82 or 8.82 ‘The dial-backing plate is fastened to the studs by means of countersunk serews to permit a snug fit of the dial against the plate. Four 4” holes are drilled through the panel behind the dial to clear the mounting studs, and a 23" hole should be made around the condenser shaft center to clear the dia! mechanism. In the actual assombly and wiring of the grid shield bos, the layout of the large parts should first be determined. Then the ACN dial and Cy should be mounted on the shield box and the positions of the panel holes behind the dial deter- TRANSMITTER CONSTRUCTION ‘mined. ‘The bottom cover of the can may be mounted by ‘means of the four rubber washer assemblies. The dial and Gx should next be removed from the shield ean and with both covers removed from the ean, all holes should be drilled, all arts mounted, and all wiring eompleted. A sinall “pencil type soldering iron will prove useful in the wiring of this unit Tong, flexible lends should be soldered to the 802 socket while the shield can is out in the open. ‘These leads can then be threaded through grommeted holes in the bottom shield cover and the chassis before replacing the shield can of the ‘whe, Several inches of slack should be left in these power leads so that the grid-cireait shield box ean be tipped un on edge for servicing later. ‘The 802 plate cnils Ly and Ls and bandswiteh S. are mounted beneath the chassis for added shielding. Dimensions of Ly and Ls are given in the legend of the efreuit, Laying Out the 807 Stage ‘As ean be seen from the illustrations, layout of the 807 is comparatively simple, Plug-in plate coils are used in this stage. The socket for the plate coil, Ly is mounted above the chassis for convenience in changing coils. Tuning condenser Cw is mounted on a bracket beneath the chassis and is eon= nected by a long insulated extension shaft to a control knob tn the front panel. The 807 operates at a d-e plate voltage of approsimately 470 volts and a d-c plate current of 100 ma. at full load. Dee sereen voltage is approximately 150 volts. Table 1 807 PLATE TANK COIL (1) Oto Power Supply Is Simple An inexpensive 600-0-600 volt power transformer and an 88 mercury-vapor rectifier supply all voltages for the VEO. A double-section filter system is used. y is of the swinging type, Ta is a standard fixed type. Regulation of the power supply is excellent. The 8 with its low voltage Arop, Lo and Iu with their reasonably low dee resistance, and the swinging properties of Ly all tend to compensate for vari- ations in cad. Output ripple voltage of the supply is very low, This fact fs Important in any ECO, At this point it should be called to the attention of the constructor that the extra 6.3-volt filament winding on the power transformer is connested in sevies with the primary of the transformer so that the high secondary voltage is rredueed to 5500-550. ‘This is done to prevent application of excessive voltage to the 83. A tap on bleeder resistor R. permits adjustment of the VR-7530 voltage regulator tube eo that It draws about 25 ma. onder key-up conditions. A dc milliammeter may be Inverted at “x" daring this screen-civeuit voltage adjustment. Tn actual tests, it has boon found that use of a VR-75-20TRANSMITTER CONSTRUCTION x gives more 807 outpat from 160 to 20 meters than when the ‘802 screen is operated at a higher voltage with a VR-105-20. ‘Moreover, the uso of the higher sereen voltage doubles the 802 plate curnent and inereases frequency drift during warm un periods. Aligning and Calibrating ‘This VFO may be considered a precision instrument and fas such is deserving of accurate calibration, A frequency standard is invaluable for aligning and calibrating it, First, the 802 grid cireuit shovld be adjusted. Plate and sereen voltage of the 807 should be removed by leaving 8: open, Set S, to "100" and adjust C» with screwdriver so that the llator output tunes exactly to 1000 ke, with Cx set at 50” on the dial. If the band will not center, use a larger or smaller value of C.. Should the dial not cover the come Plete range from 1750 to 2050 ke,, zemove one or two turns from Le and add to Cx, Ca ot Cu a needed. This completes the calibration for 160 meters and sinee this grid tank cireuit so used on 80 meters by doubling in the plate eireuit, the calibration is also completed for 80 meters. Eptoede” oped eA> o + 2 KEI F=3.8Me Ea ood WS ae Be 30 Hn 3 ERS 3820 = ' S01 With VR 105-3¢ c | TIME =MINUTES AFTER TURNING ON UNIT Second operation is to eslibrate the 802 grid circuit op: eration on 40 meters. Set S. to the “80” position and adjust C50 that the second harmonic of the oseillator tunes exactly to T800Ke, with Cy, set at “10” (near minimum). Next, tar Cu to read "90" on the dial (near maximum) and adjust Cs 40 that the oscillator just hits 1300 ke. This calibration for 7.0 Me and sinee the 3.5 Me gr jsalso used by quadrupling in the plate cireuit, the calibration fe alzo completed for 1d Me. ‘Third operation is to ealibrate the 802 grid circuit for ‘operation on 10 meters. Set Si to "20" and adjust C. so the ‘Stcond harmonic of the oscillator tunes exactly to 28,000 ke, sith Cy set at "00." Outpat on 10 meters is obtained by doubling in the 802 plate cireut. After the 802 grid circuit has been aligned, plate coil Ls should be adjusted to give & to 5 ma. grid current when S, and S; together are set at "80" or “160.” L. should then be ‘adjusted to give 1 w 2 ma. when S, and S; together are sat ‘at "20." Grid eurrent can be measured. by opening the Bround end of Ry and inserting an 0-5 or 0-10 dee milliam= meter in the 807 grid cireuit. ‘The opened end of Re should be by-passed for £4, to the chassis during the measurement to maintain a short rf grid circuit return. As discussed fcarlier, the 807 ‘is protected during key-up conditions by the semi-ixed bias voltage provided by the sum of the 807 cath- ‘ode current and the blezder current developed acrnse R- Keying Is Crisp and Clean-Cut Keying of this VFO is done in the oscillator cireuit for Dreakcin operation, Oscillation is completely evt off by key= ing the 802 screen voltage, between the S02 and the volte ageregulator tube. It is important to note that. keying of the sereen voltage should not be accomplished ‘between. the voltaae-regulator tube and the negative side of the voltage supply as shown by "X""in the elteuit for this method will produce very bed Keying transients, With the elzeuit shown, eying is clean and erisp and any slight key elieks results ing from making and breaking this low-current efreait ean seadily be eliminated by means of a simple resistance-eapactt ce filter across the key contacts, To “spot” a desired station, close J, and swing Cu to zero beat with the desired Incoming signal. nen tip: to “on” when ready eo transi, How VFO Performs ‘The curves in Fig. 14 show the number of eycles the 802 control grid cireuit drifts from a cold start when operating: TRANSMITTER CONSTRUCTION at a5 Me, Note that, when using a VR-75.20 regulator in the seven circuit of the 802, the overall drift is less than 400 eyeles and that practically all of this drift occurs within the first 80 minutes of operation. “Moreover, after the first 10 minutes of operation, the oseilator drifts only about 150, ceycles, When a VR-105.80 is used in place of the VR-75-00, the drift increases, but the results are atill exceptional Various tests were made to check mechanical and electrical stability. When the osclllstor grid box was jarted, bumped for twisted, it was found that the signal always reiuened to within about £5 cycles of its original frequency. It was found that wrapping the bulb of the 802 bulb with several turns of rubber tape aided stability by preventing tube move- nent sithin its shield ean. Inia eavefal check of the stability dnd accuracy of the instrument, it was found that the osell- Tntor could be reset to a few parts in a hundred thousand. Measured power output from the 807 wae anprosimately 25 watts on 160 meters, 20 watts on 80 meters, 15 watts on 40 and 20 meters and 8 watts on 10 meters. LF itis desired to ‘rive a beam tube, such as an 828 or an 813, it ie recom fnended that a potentiometer be used in place of the 807 screen series resistor in order to reduce the 807 output by controlling the B07 sereen voltage. Appendix ‘Toning-condenser values for an ECO designed to have ap- proximately’ 1007 bandspread may be euleulated as follows: For a given total maximum capacitance (C max), the ret capacitance variation (K) requited to give 100% cover- lage from a low-trequeney limit (1 low) to a high-frequency Timit (f high) ean be ealculated from the following relation: eae [6] 160" er v As an example, Tor the ssume Cae = 1185 jaf, Sas [1 (oat For a variable condenser having a total maximum capacitance ‘of 395 ma, the total shunt padder eapaeitance should be 1185 “395 = 780 uxt which equals the som of Cu, Cy, Co, and stray capacitances. nit position, as 10 ke and Cai = 2050 ke, 1f, for example, a tuning condenser having « maximum eepaciiance of (say) 500suf, and a minimum capacitance of (say) 50 wad is used, the total Kis 300-50 an = K. For ealeulation purposes, K ean be treated approximately as xed copacitance. Using the well-imown series-condenser re- lations we obtain: eee! 1. Eo Te Trae p t L Com TT Cone = 1D pal ‘This 1010 wef capacitance may be made up of several ero-coefcient condensers in parallel with each other and ‘with a small adjustable paddes ‘The above calculations are, of eourse, complicated by the presence of stray tube and efteult eapacitances. However, by carefully estimating and allowing for stray tube and el chit capacitances, itis possible Lo come out fairly closely. Use cf partially adjustable pedders will make up for 2easonable ‘errors. It should be mentioned in passing: that, in practice, more error results from inacearate coil-size calculation: from inaceurate stray-eapacitance allowances,TRANSMITTER CONSTRUCTION REA ECONOMY ‘This transmitter is designed to meet the needs for a medium. power cw transmitter stripped of non-sssentials. Tube ost ia Kept low by Using a GL6G crystal oveillator to drive an 809 to approximately 70 watts output om the l= and 0: ‘ieter bands. Power-supply cost '= kept Jow by using two 816 mereury-vapor rectifiers for the high-voltage supply. ‘Unusual simplicity of operation ie obtained by limiting the transmitter to use only small range of frequencies Since the osvilltor is. always used for “straight-through” operation, the number of tuning adjustments are reduced to 3 minimum, Oscillator keying is employed 20 that all the Wellsknown advantages of break-in operation can be. real Jed. A'meter-switehing system enables measurement of grid and place currents with single 150-ma. meter The Cireuit ‘An excellent impedance match is obtained between the 616.6 plate and the 809 grid by tapping the excitation lead half-way down the oscillator plate’ colle ‘This arrangement can be seen by reference to Fig. 17. Connecting the excita ton loud directly to the 6L6-G plate actually hae the effect of reducing vather than increasing the S09 gtid carvent. The oscillator tube ie ‘aMforded considerable protection “daring tune-up periods by the eathode resistor, I, which places limit on out-of-retonance plate current. A small amount of blesder current is run through R. to furnish ample. cut-off Bias for 19 ender key-up_ conditions without resorting: to cumbersome fixed bis supplise, Bither the ozelllator plate current or 800 grid or plate current can be measured by Ripping: the selector switch, Sy fo the appropriate position. Closed. cireuits axe maintained for grid and plate currents regardless of switeh position by means of fe, lt and the upper suction of Tt. ‘The values of these resistances have heen so chosen that they have new Tigible effect on meter readings, yet do hot xesult in apprec- ible voltage drop. ‘Keying is accomplished in the cathode return af the 6L6.G erystaloscillator tube, With this type Of keying, the 57 TRANSMITTER cathode tende to approach the sereen voltage when the key is up: therefore, the flament and eathode should be tied to- ether to prevent insulation breakdown, nd the filament icing: and'traneformer secondary. eboul! be Insulated trom ground. This arrangement requires an individual filament Winding: for the 6L8-G. Plug-in coils are used ts to ob- tain a desirable value for "Q” on Both bunds. ‘The tse of & Swinging link assembly for Ls facilitates output loading ad Justments. The high-voltage section of the pawer supply: malkes use of two 81's. ‘These Tubes are used because the vltage delie- fred by T, [a considerably In exeess of the ratings of recely Ing-type rectifiers, but not high enough to require the tse of the 868-A7808's. ‘he SL6's fe vight into this transinitter de Sign because they ate low in cost, have low Slament-power requirements, and take up s0 lide space. ‘The low-voltage vequirements of the transmitter ave handled bys SUG. A single, tapped high-voltage tans former and one Alter choke ie used to obtain a dual power exolation combined with fo hunt Sepplyy which as go: ‘output, In addition, it weighs lesa, oceu oats less than two" separate supplies Construction By mounting the power-supply components. al year Half of the hanes i practi) to place he ion next to the panel, 20 that thning-condenser shafts ate Feadily aceestibie, ‘This arrangement is quite satisfactory wwith the 10" 17" x” chassis bolted to the "x 104" Steel panel. With Tighter panels it may be necessary to i Stall additional angle brackets to prevent agg, if relay-rad founting is contemplated. “Many Wetails of the lavout can be seen by reference to Figs, 18, 16, and 17, Therefore, only the leas noticeable but nevertheless highly sesirable features Will be mentioned here, ‘The $09 plate-tank condenser, C,, is mounted on four tiny feed- theough insulators so that connections to the Bo (rotor) can conveniently be made undernesih the chassis, A. pi-wound tf choke t mounted above the chassis and com ected between the rotor of G, and the centertap of Ta: The S09 Socket is mounted approximately’ 4g" below the chassis