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MODULATOR SEEKER 8417 TUBE
- Thread starter darticus
- Start date
That looks like a Black Cat modulator.
If I remember right those were made by a company called Wawasee Electronics in Syracuse, In.
If it is not then maybe it is a real good copy of a Black Cat Moudulator.
If I remember right those were made by a company called Wawasee Electronics in Syracuse, In.
If it is not then maybe it is a real good copy of a Black Cat Moudulator.
I live about 50 miles from Syracuse so they are well know in my area.
I guess I assumed they were well known all over the US also since they are very popular with the channel 6 crowd.
And, also, Wawasee Electronics made a line of CB related euipment as they were not a 'fly-by-night operation.
But I think they have seen their HEYDAY.
They are used as a 'baby driver' (if you are familiar with the lingo from channel 6) and they are used to get a lot of 'swing.'
I guess I assumed they were well known all over the US also since they are very popular with the channel 6 crowd.
And, also, Wawasee Electronics made a line of CB related euipment as they were not a 'fly-by-night operation.
But I think they have seen their HEYDAY.
They are used as a 'baby driver' (if you are familiar with the lingo from channel 6) and they are used to get a lot of 'swing.'
It is a Black Cat JB-150, and yes they were built by Wawasee Electronics in Syracuse, In.
That model, along with the JB-12 ( used a 6BQ5 tube ) were very popular to use as drivers for larger amps.
AM mode only, not made to work on SSB.
The Seeker on the meter is just the brand of the company that made the meters.
6BQ5 tube = JB 12
7581 tube = JB 150
2-8417 tubes = JB 200
2-3-500Z tubes= JB-2000
There were also some other models, the JB 76 was a two piece amp made for mobile use, and I remember a JB-400 but I have never seen that one.
There were a couple of versions of the JB-2000, ( the 10/11 and the one that had a band switch), one had a driver tube, one did not.
They were not the cleanest amp in the world by any means as far as RF output, but the smaller models made the Meter Tweaker`s grin with the swing swing swing.
73
Jeff
That model, along with the JB-12 ( used a 6BQ5 tube ) were very popular to use as drivers for larger amps.
AM mode only, not made to work on SSB.
The Seeker on the meter is just the brand of the company that made the meters.
6BQ5 tube = JB 12
7581 tube = JB 150
2-8417 tubes = JB 200
2-3-500Z tubes= JB-2000
There were also some other models, the JB 76 was a two piece amp made for mobile use, and I remember a JB-400 but I have never seen that one.
There were a couple of versions of the JB-2000, ( the 10/11 and the one that had a band switch), one had a driver tube, one did not.
They were not the cleanest amp in the world by any means as far as RF output, but the smaller models made the Meter Tweaker`s grin with the swing swing swing.
73
Jeff
I think they had their version of a wattmeter/testcenter and I also think they made a scope display add-on to monitor the rf waveform.
Radiooman
I have the 2000 watt meter with the 6 digit frequency counter you have posted (top row 3rd meter to the right) mine has a headphone jack added and a 3 way switch on the bottom front it does something with the power readings in the 2000 watt setting. I can see the power reading needle drop when clicking the awitch so I been trying to figure out if its some sort of peak reading modification or what the heck it is. I remember those JB-2000 amplifiers a new a guy that ran one in the 1990s.
AKA 'The Catalyzer'. Almost bought one a while back.
How does a modulator differ from a linear? I've found that with a modulator, your DK doesn't really increase that much but it provides tremendous swing. Definitely AM mode only, they just don't sound right on SSB.
Aren't 8417 tubes about as rare as hen's teeth now?
Set dead key down to 5 watts on Seeker. Seeker modulates to 75+ Watts when talking. It was dead key on 30 watts modulating over 100. Lower I think is better. Gotta check out ebay for some 8417 tube prices. Using on Gemtronics. Only good for AM. No SSB. See pics
Attachments
Grim Reaper You are giving wrong info. some one said in another post what is right Seeker is just the name on the meter The modulator is a JB-150. How several of the JB-12's and JB-150's came to have meters that said Seeker on them is this Richard The owner found a lot of meters for sale at a good price that suited their needs for these modulators so he bought them. That they said Seeker on them didn't bother him he saved money over ordering new ones that said Black Cat. I know this because I did business them for 10 yr.'s and was close friends with him and the tech Kenny and Bruise Who worked there and bought the business from Richard Before they we're forced out of business.
The better question is why were so many of them sold without triple pole relays? That forced the tube to stay biased on continuously and killed many before their time. I've also found out Svetlana is making a new 6550 tube sold in the states for about $25. It has the same pinout as the 8417 and a plate dissipation of 42 watts. Seems like a good economical replacement.