Ted Zateslo wrote in message
...
RadioGuy wrote:
I still have yet to find the production data of the 6146 (how many
manufactured)---my two hour long Google search still has come to
naught.
Similarly, production data for the 6JB6 (how many manufactured) has
escaped
me as well and would be of additional interest in this running thread.
I don't know how one could track down the numbers, but I've been thinking
about
the relative abundance of these tubes.
The 6JB6 was a Novar version of the 6GW6 octal sweep tube. In the early
60's
RCA was introducing Novar sweep tubes, some of which were electrically the
same
as earlier types, and some of which were new. GE was doing the same thing
with
12-pin Compactron sweep tubes. The 6JB6 was meant for black-and-white
TVs, but
by the mid 60's, comparatively few B/W sets used transformer power
supplies --
most were "portable" sets with series-string heaters, and would have used,
for
example, a 17JB6 in the horizontal output. So the 6JB6 was probably not a
huge seller, compared to the 17JB6, or to the 6-volt color tubes like the
6JE6 which were used a lot.
The 6146 was originally designed by RCA in response to George Grammer,
W1DF,
QST technical editor, so it came about because of amateur radio, but it
was used in large numbers in GE and Motorola VHF 2-way radios.
There were a lot more TV sets than 2-way radios made, but it could be
that the relatively small number of transformer-powered black-and-white
TVs in the 60s meant that 6JB6 production was fairly low. I wouldn't
be suprised if there were more 6146's (of all variations) made than
6JB6's.
Ted Zateslo, W1XO
Thank you Ted for your valuable input regarding the 6JB6. I think I am
begining to see a picture develop... Somewhere I learned that Drake was
buying those Sylvania 6JB6's for 50 cents apiece. That was fine for
Sylvania with a bunch of tubes and no market in TV receivers and made for a
better profit margin for Drake. When it came to a choice for a final tube
Drake said to heck with the 6146's. I note that inside the rig there was a
note that the tubes were to be replaced with Sylvania tubes only. Some
speculate that this might have been due to some special deal or
understanding between Drake and Sylvania or perhaps it was simply due to
lack of interchangability. But then, I think some mentioned that the RCA
tubes worked just as well and the Sylvania claim had no merit. Yet, some
have stated that the use of RCA tubes introduced electrical instablity at
the higher frequency ranges; ten meters for example (neutralization didn't
help). Nevertheless, I feel satisfied that Drake's choice for final tubes
was primarilly based upon a profit motive---the 6146 would have been a
better/proper choice but Drake wanted more more for less so they used those
tubes that they salvaged at low cost from a failed niche in the TV receiver
market.
Yea... gosh... I hate to admit it... I got on 2-metes with one of those
Motorola 'Cement Mixer' radios---the one with the sloping front---D43 I
think---it was later turned into a repeater. Gee... lot's of us had those
things in the trunk of our cars with that hidious speaker on the dash board
and the hand mike---that could be used as a weapon in the last resort. Not
to forget the based loaded CB whip modified into a 5/8 vertical for
2-meters. It was years before before Drake came out with the TR-22 (made by
Trio/Kenwood), along side with Genave, Kyokuto, Regency...
RG
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