6146B vs 6146W

[Stewart D Lyon]

In Dec'97, I asked the same question about the differance between the
various 6146s. At the time I received about 20 responces which I summarized
in the Jan'98 Heath & Collins reflector under "Jury's in on 6146". The
following is essentially a repeat of that posting.
======================================================
>From WB9IOG via private correspondence --
"The following is a development sequence
6146   Original design
6146W  Ruggedized version of the above
6146A  Improved basic 6146
6146B  Final improvement will generate a bit more power"

>From K4NV in the July (97) Collins reflector and private correspondence --
To W5DT --
"...Forget about 6146 and 6146A tubes. Their ratings and design features
left them both far short in performance when compared to the 6146B.
The 6146 and 6146A tubes had a plate dissipation of only 25 watts and
could not stand fluctuations in heater voltage  They were not meant to be
used in class AB1 service. So, out came the 6146B which had a 35 watt
plate dissipation rating plus it had a new heater design called the "RCA
Dark Heater." This heater functioned better at 350 degrees K below those of
heaters in conventional tubes....
...The 6146B is a tube specifically designed for SSB service.
The others were not, only as a compromise."

To W6CUX --
"The 6146W is a ruggedized version of the 6146...... not the 6146B. The
course of action to take is the 6146B by GE."

>From the above, I conclude that the 6146B is a better tube for the SB101
and should NOT be replaced with a 6146W.
===================================================
Since Jan 98, I have been running 6146B's in my SB-101 and SB-401 receiving
good reports and with no problems.

RF Parts at  http://www.rfparts.com/  has 6146B at $44.90/MP and 6146W at
$15.90ea & $34.90/MP.
KB9BNR's price of $30/pr of 6146Ws is about right.  W's do not and should
not demand a premium over B's.

A good way to find unusual tubes is to use Yawhoo or other search engine to
search the web for the tube type. I got five hits on the 6HS6, most at
$6.00. "6146" got 317 PAGES of hits -- better use "6146B"

73, Stu -- W6CUX

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