[Heath] Operating instructions for Heathkit Apache transmitter (TX-1) & Single Sideband adapter (SB-10)

[Glen Zook]

If you are getting 130-watts out of the TX-1 Apache, you are going to have a very short tube life of the 6146 tubes.  Cut the power back to around 100-watts on CW and the station on the other end won't be able to tell the difference but the tubes definitely will know it!  Running even less power adds to the tube life.  For AM, the RCA specifications on the 6146 is 67.5-watts INPUT which means 130-watts INPUT for the pair.  At that input, more like 90-watts output maximum and about 80-watts carrier output will result in long tube life for the 6146 tubes.  Again, the station on the other end won't know the difference in power output but your final amplifier tubes definitely will know the difference!


When operating either CW or AM, do NOT exceed 6 mA total grid current and around 5 mA is best.  The control grid of the 6146 is fragile and running more than 3 mA per tube will definitely reduce tube life.  Most 6146 tubes will put out full power with as little as 1.75 mA grid current.  Running 2.5 mA grid current per tube is a very good level and the tubes will last considerably longer than running higher grid current.


My article, on the 6146 family of tubes, that has been reprinted all over the Internet as well as in magazines, newsletters, etc., can be found at the following URL:


http://nebula.wsimg.com/e7364f5298b88b460a668216b4be5946?AccessKeyId=D1250C433DB440D6B60D&disposition=0&alloworigin=1



Look on page 56 of the SB-10 manual and you will see that the operating instructions are the same as described under the Testing and Adjustment section.

 Glen, K9STH 
Website: http://k9sth.net

      From: A Lawrence Fibich <lfibich at sbcglobal.net>
 To: "heath at puck.nether.net" <heath at puck.nether.net>; "heathkit at yahoogroups.com" <heathkit at yahoogroups.com> 
 Sent: Saturday, September 10, 2016 3:19 PM
 Subject: [Heath] Operating instructions for Heathkit Apache transmitter (TX-1) & Single Sideband adapter (SB-10)
   
 I have the 'Assembly and Operation..manual" for both of these units but leaves a lot to be desired.  Basically at the end of the 'manual' they have 'testing and adjustment' but nothing really on basically operating/tuning the units up after those proceedural checks which involve internal connections.  Same goes for the Single Sideband adapter. I bought the units at an 'Estate sale' and have managed to 'figure out' how to get the Apache going - and puts out nicely (about 130 watts) but really unsure about grid drive, etc. readings to adjust to. e.g. Specific 'tune up' instructions.So far working on trying to understand 'tune up' for the Sideband adapter - but appears not working.Anyways, if someone has 'proceedural tune-up' instructions - appreciate it.  Seems would be basic for Heathkit to include such in an "operating section'. 
   
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