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Which legitimate RF amplifier tubes are going to be available 10 years from now?

loosecannon

Sr. Member
Mar 9, 2006
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Pretty much just what the title says.

Im curious to know which manufacturers, or which types of tubes are going to stand the test of time and market conditions?

I guess we will go with a tube that can do legal limit (1500 watts) without breaking a sweat, and maybe could do 3000 PEP without being stressed out.
LC
 

Most any modern Ceramic Triode should be a safe bet.They are plentiful & the Newer Russian versions specs are better than the originals in most every case if the specs are true & they have been tested by many sources so I'd say they are.

SIX-SHOOTER
 
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thanks for the replies gentlemen.


looks like the GI-7b tubes aren't too expensive.

Anyone have any specific suggestions on a tube?
im going to be starting a very long term project soon, and determining which tube i want to use is the first step.

i'll honestly be putting parts together for this for the next couple of years probably.
LC
 
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http://gs35b.com/

Surplus Parts & Equipment
http://www.ur4ll.net/#rol
Dr. Alex UR4LL has quite a few Russian electronics parts and some equipment for sale. The list is updated periodically, and some items have pictures (click on links for details and/or pictures of each item)

https://pa0fri.home.xs4all.nl/Lineairs/Lineairs.htm

Note the: EL519/6KG6A/Russian 6P45C (100w/400w) Amps
Power supply designs for above:
https://pa0fri.home.xs4all.nl/Lineairs/HV1100/hv1300eng.htm

http://www.worldtubecompany.com/mm5...e=WTC&Product_Code=EL519GU&Category_Code=1K-U

https://tubes-store.com/product_info.php?products_id=24
 
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thanks for the replies gentlemen.


looks like the GI-7b tubes aren't too expensive.

Anyone have any specific suggestions on a tube?
im going to be starting a very long term project soon, and determining which tube i want to use is the first step.

i'll honestly be putting parts together for this for the next couple of years probably.
LC

If you want 1500 watts and 3000 pep skip the GI-7b unless you buy a truck load of them. The old Russian tubes are already old and will not be made again.

An 8877 will almost get you to 3kw without abusing it but you'll need at least 4kv on the plate. Best to have a pair of them if you want 3000 pep. These are nice clean tubes with a lot of gain. 100 watts into a pair of them gets me around 3200 out. They will do over 5kw with more drive but the point is to make them last. They only have 25 watts of grid dissipation so you have to treat them right. Tune up with a carrier equal to driven pep, keep the grid current below 50ma per tube and they will live a long life. To get an accurate grid current reading don't tune up by whistling or talking into the mic.

A 3cx3000a7 will make the power you want and then some. Very clean and rugged tube. It has less gain than the 8877s would so you will need more drive. I would shoot for 5 to 6 kv on the plate. Plate and filament iron is expensive unless you stumble across a good deal.

The 3-500z is a nice tube but you will need a pair for 1500 pep and again I would shoot for 4kv on the plate. Unless you're strictly a ssb guy use forced air cooling with chimneys.

The Russian GS35B is still cheap for the power it makes. You could squeeze 3kw out of one but they are not so linear and once the surplus is gone they will be gone forever. I converted my 35b amp to 8877s because I wasn't happy with the linearity and wanted more gain. Runs good with 4kv on the plate. I ran their heaters for 24 hours before turning on the HV. Most of them were good but a couple were duds. Expect this to happen.
 
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