The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers Home - Sweep Tubes In Power Amplifiers The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In Power Amplifiers There is nothing wrong using horizontal sweep TV tubes being used in RF power amplifiers. Some observations made by the author are given in this article. Doug DeMaw, W1FB. The original article was published in the journal QST, February 1980, pp.11…15 This webpage has had some information added, such as tube data from the ARRL and information from my experience. Some people are suspicious of using horizontal sweep TV tubes in power amplifiers dues to their thermal "fragility", others claim that that such tubes are not suitable for linear amplification. Of course, there is some truth in these two statements, but these tubes also have many advantages! In any part of the world, TV tubes are much easier to find than for an example, a 6146B tube. This is undoubtedly a positive fact. It is also indisputable that TV sweep tubes cost much less than, the 6146B. In simple terms, the "Thermal fragility" problem can be explained by stating the key down (continuous-carrier) is limited to short periods compared to that of the 6146B or other transmitting tubes. Too long of a key down generally in excess of 30 to 45 seconds will cause excessive tube heating and subsequent damage or failure. The reason for this limitation is that sweep tubes are designed for high peak currents of short duration (pulse service), but not for high levels of continuous current. They are well suitable, for ICAS (Intermittent Commercial Service) operation. In linear mode service, they do not yield the IMD (Inter-modulation Distortion) quality which is typical of 6146B or other transmitting tubes at full rated power. In a properly designed and operated amplifier, however it is possible to obtain sweep tube linearity which comes near the 6146B. For example the Yaesu hybrid HF transceivers used the 6JS6C for their amplifier section. The FT-101E which was reviewed in September 1976 QST exhibited 3rd-order distortion products that were 34db down from full output. The Kenwood TS-820, which contains 6146B's in the PA, was reviewed in the same issue. The 3rd order products from the TS820 were -39db below full power. The worst IMD observed in the ARRL lab file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (1 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers from a HF transceiver was which used sweep tubes was -27db. The ARRL technical staff feels that an acceptable level for 3rd and 5th-order distortion products (See Figure 1) is 30db or greater below full power. Therefore, the FT-101 and the TS-820 transceivers are considered above average in terms of IMD. Low Pass Filters such as the 100 watt Ebay kit can provide better IMD of the kit, it also has relay products on your output signal. This is a Circuit and has extra circuit to switch bands using a 12vdc source. The now defunct company Galaxy, once introduced a 2KW input power amplifier (Model 2000+ Photo Gallery) and (Galaxy 2000 Plus Review) that used 10 6HF5 horizontal sweep tubes connected in parallel. The amplifier worked in AB1 grounded cathode utilizing a non-inductive resistor in the input to the grids for matching. The measured level of inter-modulation distortion of the 3rd and 5th order in this multiple tube amplifier was rated at full output power 31db below the fundamental frequency. file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (2 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (3 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (4 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers I know this page was intended for sweep tube amplifier design, I figured on describing these tubes a bit.The 807 was a 6.3 volt version of the 1625 had a 75 watt input at CW up to 60Mhz and was a beam power pentode not a tetrode as every one describes on ebay. The next tube was the 6146 and this tube was a upgrade to the 807, this tube was manufactured in 6.3, 12, and 26 volt filament versions. The 6146B came a little later and was claimed by many producers to be a drop in replacement to the 6146 provided the power supply was able to give the input power demands. The 6146 had 90 watts input power CW verses the 6146B at 120 watts input CW, but the B version was not exactly the same as the older 6146 as RCA and others hoped for. The tube had instability problems in the hybrid hf transceivers, including most of the older rigs and heath kits (Glen E. Zook, K9STH was a Motorola technician in this time period and he explains the 6146 Family of Tubes). The 811A is by far the most popular tube in amateur radio history next to the 3-500Z, 3-1000Z. This tube was originally designed to be used as modulators, and the 812 as the finals in am transmitters. Hams later discovered the 811A tube to work very well in ground grid class B service. This triumphed over the 812. The 811A could work with 1250 plate volts with zero bias and 120 watts output, and 1500 plate volts with -4.5 bias. This higher plate voltage gave the 811A a output of 175 watts per tube, but can sacrifice tube life. Ameritron 811 and 811H has a blistering 1700 volts on their 811A tubes and I think this is why a lot end up on ebay as parts and repair. Some people do not drive them properly at these plate voltages. file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (5 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (6 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers The electron tubes above were beam power pentodes, and three above were sweep tubes except the 2E26. 6BQ6GTB, 6CD6G, and 6BG6GA. The 6BG6G and the 6CD6G were shaped like the old 807 tubes. Then changes were made to the tubes in the GA series such as shorter lead length inside the tube glass to the socket. This helped the tube for RF amplifier work. The 6BQ6GAwas similar to the 6BQ6GTB or GT, but had a larger glass circumference. The only tube above that was not a TV sweep tube was the 2E26. This tube was a small transmitting tube for HF and VHF frequencies. Link to a separate page of various sweep tubes and Data. file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (7 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers The Popular 6146B Tube, also in 12 and 26 volt filament ratings. 6KD6 TV Sweep Tube. Also in 30 and 36/40 volt filament ratings. Figure 1 Table 1 Some Sweep Tube Selections Table 1 Tube Type file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (8 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] C (Input) Pf Input Resonant Frequency (Mhz) C (Output) Pf Output Resonant Frequency (Mhz) Probable*** Upper Frequency Limit of Operation (Mhz) The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers 6GJ5 (4) 6HF5* 6HF5** 6JB6 6JE6 (1) 6JM6 (2) 6JG6 (3) 19.1 25.5 26.7 19.1 24.3 17.2 22.9 190 86 100 190 82 200 187 10 16.3 16.3 10.5 14.5 10.3 14.7 190 141 141 200 152 194 226 150 60 75 145 60 150 150 One Grid Connection. **Two Grid Connection. ***75 Percent of Self-Resonance Frequency. (1) Electrically Identical to The 6LQ6 Tube. (2) Electrically Identical to The 6GV5 Tube. (3) Electrically Identical to The 6KV6 Tube and its Various Filament Variants. (4) Electrically Identical to The 6DQ6 Tube and its Various Filament Variants. Data: Courtesy of Sylvania Corporation The data in the table was prepared by the company Sylvania. Working Frequency In fact horizontal sweep tubes give acceptable results up to about 30mhz. Some of the smaller sweep tubes such as the 6JM6, 6GJ5, 6GV5, and 6JB6 give acceptable results up to 150Mhz, provided the input power to the plates are reduced to a level the tubes can function without failure. The the 6146B works up to 160Mhz with reduced input to the plate of about 50watts. The limitation of the operating frequency range from some sweep tubes is caused by the internal leads inside the tube connected to the pins of the socket. Some sweep tubes such as 6DQ6, 6DQ5, 6BQ6GTB have internal leads that are not suitable for frequencies above 30Mhz. Since these tubes were designed for low frequency TV service to operate at 15.750Khz and provide a trapezoidal waveform. The manufactures were not concerned with the aforementioned "problem causers" The High terminal capacitances of the tubes tend to shunt the RF currents to ground. This problem becomes more pronounced as the operating frequency is increased. The high-input C makes the tube hard to drive and presents impedance-matching problems. The high output C can cause excessive currents inside the tube, causing gradual performance degradation or complete failure. Therefore, it is wise to choose sweep tubes with short internal leads and minimum terminal capacitance. The effect of long internal leads is one of the lead inductance resonating, with the internal capacitance at some specified high frequency. This condition can cause stray RF currents to be high, ultimately harming the tube. VHF parasitic file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (9 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers oscillation is greatly enhanced greatly if the tube chosen has input and output self-resonant frequencies which are close in frequency limits of the tube. Table 1 below show how how various popular sweep tubes compare in this nature. Parasitic chokes of the type shown in Figure 2 (Z1) can be installed to reduce parasitic oscillations. A well fabricated chassis, Figure 2 with the input and output section of the amplifier shielded from each other can also help in stabilizing the tube circuit. Keeping input and output connections short as necessary, can help in RF circuits. Fig. 2 Schematic illustration of an amplifier which contains a parasitic suppressor (Z1). Figure 2 Details on the amplifier chassis Here! file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (10 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] This component can be fashioned from a 47 to 100 ohm 2 watt pure resistive resistor. Many claim metal oxide is not suitable, and The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers inductive at radio frequencies, this is not true. Resistor Facts. The copper wire is wound over the resistor body and made to connect to the resistor leads. 4 to 8 turns of #20 enameled wire is suitable for the suppressor. Another method of parasitic suppression is a hairpin. Here! A top view with tubes in their sockets. Front view A chassis with (Figure 2. The Internal Shield) separating the input from the output section. This chassis was fabricated for the 6DQ6B, 6JM6 file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (11 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers One attempt to use a sweep tube at VHF. A 6JB6 was used for grounded-grid operation and driven from a 5 watt exciter. An output of 25 watts was obtained, but the tube efficiency was dismal- roughly 30 percent after considerable optimizing. The tank circuit was designed to absorb the tube output capacitance (Figure 3). The 19pf of input C presented no special problem. Doug DeMaw, W1FB Figure 3 Figure 4--Circuit of an experimental 144Mhz grounded grid amplifier which used a 6JB6 sweep tube. C pf is the tube output capacitance. L3 is dimensioned so that resonance occurs when C1 is set at 10pf. file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (12 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers The Problems of Parallel Use: No matter which tube a builder may choose for the amplifier, paralleling two or more such tubes creates design problems. A matter of special concern is the current drawn by each tube plate in the circuit. Dynamic balance is essential to ensure that no single tube in the circuit "out draws" the plate current. If for example, six 6DQ6B's were connected in parallel, and the gm (trans-conductance) of one was substantially higher than the rest, the one with the high gm would probably be driven well beyond its safe dissipation rating. The result would be disastrous as you set and watched the tube turn red, just before the glass envelope melted or cracked. Sweep tubes are especially prone to this ailment because their high gm ratings. The 6KD6, has a trans-conductance of 14,000 micro-ohms! A not so practical solution to the problem of current sharing is to install a matched set of tubes. Finding sweep tubes and matching them is getting very difficult, cause there is no more production, and what is left is surplus stock. For the amateur this is not good news, as many tubes would be needed in order to grade them out for the matched set required in the amplifier. A simple method for balancing the tubes was worked out, by adjusting the bias on each tube using a separate circuit. (Figure 4) With full drive to the amplifier, the bias adjust control for each tube is adjusted for equal plate currents. The resting plate currents may be unequal as a result, but they will not be too low to effect linearity of the amplifier. Although separate meters are shown for each tube in figure 4, they are not necessary. A single 0-1 ampere meter can be employed to measure all four tubes at one time. Tube balance can be measured by installing a 10 ohm, 2 watt resistor in series with each cathode. R1 through R4 are then adjusted to obtain equal voltages across the 10 ohm resistors at peak drive. When choosing sweep tubes for grounded grid service Figure 4, it is mandatory to select tube types which have the suppressor grid not connected internally to the cathode. All of the grids should be returned to ground. Some sweep tubes have their beam forming plates (suppressor grid) connected to the cathode inside the tube. In grounded grid service this will lead to amplifier selfoscillation, especially as the frequency is increased. Another complication which results from paralleling tubes is a increase in the combined input and output capacitance. When these values become elevated, the greater the unwanted RF-shunting effect discussed earlier. Severe limitations can be imposed on the upper frequency range of the amplifier. The 6KD6 has a rated input capacitance of 40pf and an output capacitance of 16pf. Six of these tubes in parallel would yield 240pf input and 64pf output. The output capacitance could be absorbed in the plate tank circuit, but the input capacitance would have to be dealt with by means of matching network similar to those used with RF power transistors. In fact, the plate impedance of several sweep tubes in parallel become very low, causing the designer to move in the direction of transistor matching networks. A six tube amplifier using sweep tubes may develop up to 1 amp of current at peak drive. If the plate voltage were 900 volts, A typical value for amateur service the plate file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (13 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers impedance would be 638 ohms, as calculated from RL = EP/1.57 x A. Equation: EP is the plate voltage. RL is the plate impedance in ohms A is the plate current for each tube In basic terms, the low impedance and high output capacitance makes conventional tank circuits impractical at frequencies above 40m. If a PI network with a loaded Q of, 12 were desired, the resultant values of C and L would become impractical at the upper end of the HF band. For this reason, transistor types of matching networks become more desirable. Doug DeMaw, W1FB Another example of performance is the 6KD6, 6LB6, 6LR6 and 6KG6. (Doug Demaw W1FB) designed and built a amplifier below using 6KD6 tubes. The RF input is fed to the cathodes and the amplifier works in AB1 using adjustable bias. The amplifier characteristics were observed on a spectrum analyzer. The level of inter-modulation products were was -30db below the fundamental frequency. The peak RF output of the amplifier was 800 PEP. file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (14 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers Figure 4-- A grounded-grid sweep tube amplifier which uses 6KD6 tubes. Dynamic balance is ensured by means of R1 through R4. These potentiometers controls are set to provide equal plate currents for the four tubes at peak drive periods. (see text and note 1) This circuit originally appeared in July 1968 QST, page 31. Sweep Tube Linear Amplifier Circuits file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (15 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers Links To Amplifier Circuits 2x4 RF Amplifier 4x6 RF Amplifier PL519 150 RF Amplifier PL519 QSK Linear Amplifier PL519 4 Tube Linear Amplifier A 6DQ5 Linear Amplifier (QST) The Horizontal Output Linear (73 Amateur Radio) A Cheap Pair Of Socks (73 Amateur Radio) A Simple Fancy Linear (73 Amateur Radio) The Novice 1/4 Gallon (QST) A Sweep Tube Linear (ARRL Handbook) A Sweep Tube Linear Amplifier (ARRL Handbook) Galaxy 2000B 10-80Meter HF Amplifier Kenrich Eagle 200 Amplifier Kenrich Eagle 500 Base Wawasee Blackcat Amplifiers A little humor Blackcat JB75 Mobile Blackcat JB12 Base Blackcat JB76 Base Palomar Pulsar Mobile Lafayette HA-250 Mobile ABC 7107 Linear Mobile ABC 250 Plus file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (16 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers D&A Hawk Base D&A Maverick 250 Base D&A Scorpion Mobile D&A Hornet Base D&A Raider Base D&A Falcon 400 Mobile D&A Bandit II Mobile Maco 75 Duster Maco 200 Base Maco 300 Base Maco 300 Mobile Maco 750 Base Maco Mini Brute Mobile Golden Eagle 1k Base Demco Demon 500 Plus Base Demco Demon A500 Base Demco Demon 250 Base Demco Demon 50 Mobile Demco Demon 50 Base Courier ML100 Mobile Courier BL100 Base Kemtron Interceptor 101 Base file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (17 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers s Figure 5 Schematic diagram of a 30Mhz amplifier circuit with meters for plate current, screen current and grid current. This circuit can be adapted to work with any of the tube types below. Z1 The parasitic suppressor used in figure 2, is the same. L2 and L3 are chosen to provide a high operating tank Q. The input circuit can be constructed from #14 enameled copper wire shown below. The builder can decide on which is the best orientation for the input circuit. This is a common link input circuit using the coax from the transmitter/transceiver as a tuning stub. It does not matter which coax type you use rg58, rg8x or rg8u. Although rg58 would be my choice for the benefit of flexibility. Details on making plate chokes can be seen Here file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (18 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers The neutralization capacitor must have specs that are designed for the RF power and voltage of the plate. Another option would be to couple RF from the tube its self back to the input circuit. This way the plate voltages would be negated in the selection of the adjustable capacitor. The photo below shows a galvanized sheet of metal for the neutralization circuit. The solder tabs will attach to standoffs, phenolic or ceramic and a adjustable capacitor will be soldered to the plate with wire (As short as possible) connected to the cold side of the input coil. file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (19 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers The above circuit is a typical grounded grid using TV sweep tubes. Typical amplifiers on the market used 6LQ6, 6KD6, 6LB6, 6LF6 and 8950. A tuned input coil, seen in figure 6, below was used in Maco, and some D&A amplifiers. Some of the D&A had band switching 10 thru 40 meters. The Palomar 300A had 10 thru 40 meters and the amplifier worked well if the internal bias was correct. Other amplifiers such as Palomar used a T-68-6 toroid using 20 turns of 18# enameled wire for matching. Figure 6 I have over 100 of these link input coils for grounded grid inputs on tubes such as 6kv6, 6jm6, 6km6, 6jn6, 6jn6, 6jb6, 6jg6, 6lb6, 6kd6 tubes. I spent hours on making these. There made from solid copper and Teflon coated silver plated wire. I'm asking $5.00 each, I can be contacted @ gmrs625@triad. rr.com. file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (20 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers Elkin (Product Of Electronic Service Center) These amplifiers in the beginning used 807, 1625 in a push pull design. The amplifiers were made in 2, 4, 6, 8 tube versions and a 4x4 version which was rare. The 4x4 amplifier used four 12dq6b driving four 8908's. The 8908's are now just about extinct unless anyone can find a hoarder that has them on hand. The others had 12dq6b. There were no elkin 12 and 14 tube those were built by a different group and looked similar in appearance, but were not built by the same people. The company also made mobile amplifiers too, using the 12dq6b and the 807 in very early models. Photos 1 and 2 show a two tube Elkin using 6dq6b some people claimed the 12dq6b would deliver more output power than the 6dq6b, but this is a false assumption the only difference is the filament voltage. The Elkin as they were named operated in grounded cathode, used tuned input by means of link input coupling. They were stable amplifiers, if no one else would alter their circuitry. The amplifiers were in fact hand made, and the color of the wire in the amplifier corresponded to the person who wired each unit. These amplifiers had excellent quality control when built and if you find one today I doubt it will be original, cause other people tend to alter things. The power supply was unique in these amplifiers verses other grounded cathode amplifiers. Other types of amplifiers in grounded cathode turned the tubes on or off by use bias, the Elkin turned the power supply screen, bias and plate off/on by using a relay to switch the secondary full wave-bridge ground. This switched the whole operating voltages off and on, except the filament. This was stressful on the 3rd pole of the relay over time. A schematic of a two tube base pictured below shows the rf section, these amplifiers can operate on 10 meters and give decent results on ssb IF the bias was adjusted correctly on a scope using a two tone test. If a knowledgeable person wanted to operate these amplifiers inside the amateur bands, lets say to 40 meters, this is possible with the correct input and output. file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (21 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers Photo 1 Photo 2 (The tank output coil had extra turns to tune the amplifier to lower frequencies) file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (22 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers Schematic of RF Circuit. Power supply not shown Operating Parameters In 1964, Sylvania Electric Products Inc. Table 2 Class C Operation ICAS -- 30Mhz Tube Type (1) EG1 Vdc (1) EG2 (1) Ep Vdc Vdc Peak EG1 V rf (1) IG1 Ic2, ma dc мА Ia, мА Grid 1 Driving Power Watts Grid 2 Dissipation Watts Plate Input Watts RF Power Output Efficiency % Plate Dissipation (2) Circuit Loss Watts 6GJ5 -75 200 500 61 6.0 14.9 180 0.43 2.99 90.0 62.7 69.5 22.0 5.3 6HF5 -85 140 500 67 8.0 12.5 232 0.76 1.75 116.0 77.0 66.0 35.0 4.0 6JB6 -75 200 500 61 6.0 13.3 180 0.43 2.66 90.0 62.7 69.5 22.0 5.3 6JE6 -85 125 500 72 8.0 17.2 222 0.82 2.15 111.0 76.3 69.0 30.0 4.7 file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (23 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers 6JM6 -75 200 500 67 4.0 13.7 180 0.32 2.72 90.0 61.1 67.9 22.0 6.9 6JG6 -80 150 450 67 8.0 20.0 202 0.75 3.0 91.0 63.0 69.3 21.0 7.0 Efficiency % Plate Dissipation Watts (3) Circuit Loss Watts 41.5 43.0 41.5 42.6 43.1 43.0 22.0 35.0 22.0 30.0 22.0 21.0 3.0 2.7 3.0 2.6 2.2 4.1 Tube Type (1) EG1 V dc (2) EG2 V dc (2) Ep (1) Ip V dc Zero Signal mA dc 6GJ5 6HF5 6JB6 6JE6 6JM6 6JG6 -43 -46 -42 -44 -42 -35 200 140 200 125 200 150 500 500 500 500 500 450 30 40 30 40 30 30 Table 3 Class AB1 Operation ICAS --30Mhz IG2 Ip Plate Grid 2 Plate RF mA dc mA dc Power Dissipation Input Power Zero Watts Power Output Signal Watts Watts Watts 3.8 85 15 0.76 42.5 17.5 4.5 133 20 0.63 66.5 28.8 4.2 85 15 0.84 42.5 17.5 3.9 110 20 0.49 55.0 23.4 4.4 85 15 0.88 42.5 18.3 4.5 98 13.5 0.67 44.0 18.9 Peak Envelope Power (PEP) Watts 35.0 57.6 35.0 46.8 36.6 37.8 ARRL Sweep Tube Operation These data parameters were taken from the ARRL handbook, SSB for the radio amateur. I will continue to update when I can gather more information. Filament Plate Screen TransC C Class Plate Screen Grid Screen Grid Tube (Heater) Cgp Socket Plate Driving Output Dissipation Dissipation conductance (Input) (Output) Of Current Current Current Type 6.3v/ pF Base Voltage Voltage Voltage Watts Watts mA Watts Watts Micromhos pF pF Service mA mA Amperes C 6DQ5 24 3.2 10.5k 2.5 23 0.5 11 8JC 600 150 -56 155 6 2 AB1 6DQ6B 18 3.6 7.3k 1.2 15 0.5 7 6AM 6HF6 6GC6 17 17.5 3.6 4.5 6k 6.6k 1.2 1.2 33 15 0.4 0.55 8 7 6AM 8JX 6GJ5 17.5 3.5 7.1k 1.2 15 0.26 6.5 9NM file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (24 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] C AB1 750 150 The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers 6HF5 28 5.5 11.3k 2.25 24 0.56 10 12FB 6JB6 17.5 3.5 7.1k 1.2 15 0.2 6 9QL 6JE6 30 5.0 10.5k 2.5 24.3 14.5 9QL 6JG6A 17 3.5 10k 1.6 22 0.7 9 9QU 6JM6 17.5 3.5 7.3k 1.2 16 0.6 7 12FJ 6JN6 17.5 3.5 7.3k 1.2 16 0.34 7 12FK 6JS6C 30 5.5 2.25 24 0.7 10 12FY 6KD6 33 5.0 14k 2.85 40 0.8 16 12GW 6LB6 6LG6 30 28 5.0 5.0 13.4k 11.5k 2.25 2 33 25 0.4 0.8 18 13 12GJ 12HL 6LQ6 30 5.0 9.6k 2.5 22 0.46 11 9QL 6MH6 38.5 7.0 14k 2.65 40 1.0 20 12GW G-G G-G 500 800 0 0 0 0 85 150 6 12.5 25 82 G-G 800 0 0 150 12.5 82 G-G G-G G-G 800 0 0 150 12.5 82 800 0 0 150 12.5 82 G-G 800 0 0 150 12.5 82 Literature: Adobe 8.0 Reader for those that don't have. Right click and save as. I do not setup self executable files on my server. 1. DeMaw, “Some Ground Rules for Sweep-Tube Linear-Amplifier Design”,QST, July 1968, p. 30 2. DeMaw and Hayward, “Solid State Design for the Radio Amateur”, chapter 4, ARRL, 1977 3. DeMaw, “A Power Supply for That Big Linear Amplifier”, QST, December 1969 4. Transmitting Tube Guide (If the page does not show the photo's click) Here for the PDF 5. "Simple Sine Wave Circuit" For alignment of SSB and AM modulation. 6. Hammond 200 Series Plate and Filament Transformers 7. Hammond 300 Series Plate and Filament Transformers 8. Hammond Plate Series Transformers 9. Excellent Article on Forced Air Cooling "Cool It" 10. Article on Designing Tank Coils. "Final Tanks" 11. 73 Article "Grounded Grid Filament Chokes" file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (25 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM] The Use Of TV Sweep Tubes In RF Amplifiers 12. 73 Article for scope monitor. "Linear Scope Monitor" 13. 73 Article on neutralization. "Neutralization" 14. ARRL Article "Oscilloscope Setups for Transmitter Testing" 15. 73 Article for helping you build a sweep tube amplifier. "Review of Grounded Cathode Linears" 16. QST Article on Scope Patterns. "Sideband Scope Patterns" 17. 73 Article on Grounded Grid Amplifiers. "Some Notes On Grounded Grid Linear Amplifiers" 18. ARRL Handbook. "RF Amplifier Component Ratings" 19. Excellent webpage on power transformer capabilities By WB0NNI. "Power Transformer Capabilities" file:///C:/inetpub/wwwroot/ServiceCB/sweep_tubes/index.htm (26 of 26) [11/29/2023 1:49:33 AM]