6146 Questions and Answers

[Chris Kepus]

Here is a repeat of my questions and a compilation of the responses I
received from a lot of Great Greenies to my question about 6146's:

Subject: 6146 Questions and Answers

Questions:

My DX-100 and HX-10 will undoubtedly need new finals at some point in the
near future. Since these rigs and I have not been in the market for tubes
for more than 17 years, we're a bit out of touch.  Where do you shop for
the 6146's ?  I see that Surplus Sales of  NEBRASKA has them priced
anywhere between $15 and $22  each depending (A,B,W...).  What is the
preferred amateur service tube?(A,B,W..?.).  Would NOS GE and RCA 6146's be
preferable to brands like "Penta"?
Thanks for the ongoing guidance........

Answers separated by asterisks "*" (Not edited but author's name withheld)

*****************************************
RCA and GE are good brands for 6146's I like the RCA, thats what I use. As
for the difference between the 3 types they are as follows:
6146    rated at 90 watts
6146 A  rated at 82 watts
6146 B  rated at 96 watts
6146 W  rated at 100 watts

So the better ones are the "W" type.
******************************************************
6146W is the best ones to get.What I use in MY HW 101 and worked for years.
JAN tubes work the best or with W.Which is the better ones.I have mostly
ALL
JAN tubes in my rigs.I did notice that thay last longer.
******************************************************
I have something saved somewhere (just can not put my
hand on it at this time) that gives a run down of the differences between
the
6146 tubes (6146, 6146A, 6146B, 6146W)...there were four versions
produced....the W version which you should be able to find alot (NOS), is
the
military version & a ruggedized version of the latest 6146B....When I find
that
email, I will forward it to you or mail it or something because it is
handy.

For specifics...I use 6146B or 6146W's in my HX-10...In my research, the
later
transmitter finals such as the Collins SLines, HX-10...etc...were designed
for
the 6146B type (or W's)...not the A or the "no version designator"...at
least
this is what it appears to be.....as for the DX-100....When I bought mine
(used
of course), there were 6146's in the final...I have tried A's & B's and
W's...do not appear to be a difference.....However, the more worrisome tube
for
you may be the 1625 modualtors in the DX-100....they are not that
common...at
least that was what I was told...so, after I bought mine, I was looking at
every hamfest I went to and bought as many as I could just to make sure I
had
some spares...now I have been told that they do not wear out often...I'm a
skeptic...so I now have 9 spares (with the two in it it makes a total of 11
that I have)....I want to make sure I have enough...6146W's are pretty easy
to
find...most every good hamfest has several tables of tube sellers...On the
internet the following I use as a reference (for price & availability) and
have
also bought tubes from them at the Dayton Hamvention:
http://home.att.net/~esrc/esrcmain.html

also Antique Radio is a good source (somewhat higher that ESRC)
http://www.tubesandmore.com/
******************************************************
If Im not mistaken the 6146B was a direct
repacement for the standard tubes in your rig.
Personally I prefer the "W" version.  They were
the military ruggedized version.  They seem to
last longer and the price were I get all of my
tubes is actually cheaper.  You can find them
with a full description at www.rfparts.com.  Bill
******************************************
If it doesn't violate any religious convictions, these tubes appear on
ebay all the time.  They are much cheaper!
*********************************************************
Watch ebay for tubes.  Sometimes you can get good
values.

The 6146W is the military grade and that's what I
recommend.
**********************************************************
Many of us have had great success getting tubes from
Dan Nelson of Chandler, AZ. I've used him for a complete
set for my SB-102---as well as certain tubes for my "vintage"
CONN organ.
Dan's tubes are used. He thoroughly tests them before
shipping. I never got a bad one!

Email him at   djn at ieee.org
He will email you a list of all he usually has, along with the
prices.
You can order by email. He will ship the tubes as soon as
he can.  The bill comes with the tubes, so you "prove"
the tubes before sending money!
***********************************************

Any American 6146A or 6146B would be acceptable. The "Penta" or
Chinese 6146 variants are only good for 75 percent of the output of the
American equivalents.
It's worth it to pay a few dollars more and get the American tubes.
****************************************************************

Listserver Subscription:listserv at listserv.tempe.gov - "subscribe heath 'name' 'call'"
Listserver Submissions: heath at listserv.tempe.gov
Listserver Unsubscribe: listserv at listserv.tempe.gov - -"signoff heath"