Apache TX-1 "RF Hiccup" Puzzle

[Peter A Markavage]

Always good info, but that wasn't the point of the post. Wanted him to
try "regular" 6146's to see if the problem went away.

Anyway, I've had 6146B's in both my Apache's. One set put in around 71 or
72 and, for the other Apache, a "B" set was put in around 1990. I think
in the first Apache, I have one GE and 1 RCA and, in the other, both were
Sylvania(?) (whatever came in the black and yellow tube boxes).

Pete, wa2cwa

On Thu, 24 Jun 2004 12:18:29 -0700 Glen Zook <gzook at YAHOO.COM> writes:
> Don't use the 6146B unless you are prepared for more
> problems!  9 out of 10 Apaches do not "like" the 6146B
> which is a completely different tube from the earlier
> versions.
>
> The 6293 normally doesn't have any effect except to
> last considerably longer when replacing the 6146 or
> 6146A / 8298 (has a "heavier" plate construction).
> The 6146B / 8298A often will not neutralize properly
> and causes some other problems in many of the rigs
> that were designed for the older tubes.
>
> Also, any 6146W with a later code date of between the
> later half of 1964 and early 1965 (depending on the
> manufacturer) will be the 6146B equivalent.  This is
> due to the fact that RCA originally said that the
> 6146B was a replacement for the 6146 and 6146A / 8298
> without any problems.  This, unfortunately, did not
> "pan" out.  However, the military did not revert to
> the 6146A equivalent for the 6146W but stayed with the
> 6146B.  Originally the "new" 6146W was supposed to
> replace both the earlier versions and the newer
> versions.
>
> For more details on the 6146 family of tubes you can
> go to either website that is listed at the end of this
> message.  The article that appeared in Electric Radio
> a couple of years ago and that has been reprinted in
> several other publications can be found thereon.
>
> Also, any 6146W made by the "Electronic Tube Company"
> should be considered "suspect".  According to my
> sources they made about 10,000 tubes for the military,
> got paid, then went out of business.  After a couple
> of years when the military started trying to use these
> tubes they didn't work at r.f.!  Audio, maybe (like in
> the modulator of the Johnson Viking Valiant) but even
> at 80 meters they are "lousey"!
>
> The "innards" of these tubes don't even resemble those
> of a "normal" 6146W.  Unfortunately, these tubes have
> been appearing in the amateur radio market for the
> past few years, often at "rock bottom" prices.
> Frankly, if the "deal" seems to be "too good to
> believe", then believe that it is too good to believe
> for those tubes have often turned out to be among
> those made by Electronic Tube Company.
>
> Glen, K9STH
>
>
> --- Peter A Markavage <pmarkavage at JUNO.COM> wrote:
>
> You might try "regular" 6146/A/W/B's to see if the
> problem goes away.
>
> =====
> Glen, K9STH

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