On Mon, 1 Feb 2010 21:52:11 +0100, "Antonio Vernucci"
wrote:

I have just completed building a class-C AM transmitter with an 829B (two
tetrodes in parallel) driven by a T-368 VFO.

The 829B bias is a fixed -33V (keeping the tube safe against lack of drive) plus
the bias which develops across the grid resistor. It works fine, but I still
have to adjust the grid resistor value for optimum performance

In the 829B data sheet I read a value of about 7 kohm. In my Geloso AM
transmitter (single 6146) they use 12 kohm. In the T-368 (single 4-400A) they
use about 23 kohm.

My practical experience is that lowering the grid resistor I always get more
output power FOR THE SAME GRID CURRENT. In other words, every time I try a
different resistor value I re-adjust the drive power so as to make the grid
current equal to the allowable limit of 15 mA.

At the moment I ended up using just 470 ohm but, despite that value gives me
good output power, I suspect that it may cause some drawbacks that I cannot
presently figure out.

Does anyone have a CLEAR understanding of the trade-offs involved in selecting
the grid bias resistor value? Or where I can find a practical and coincise
discussion of the issue?

Thanks & 73

Tony I0JX
Rome, Italy


I cannot give you actual values for your set up, but basically, if you
have already provided optimum bias with your fixed bias voltage, then
you will not need to develop any more bias across a grid resistor.

peter

I cannot give you actual values for your set up, but basically, if you
have already provided optimum bias with your fixed bias voltage, then
you will not need to develop any more bias across a grid resistor.

peter

My fixed bias is set for an idling plate current of 10 mA. The only criterion
behind that bias setting was to keep the final tube safe. So, it may not be
optimum with regard to the final stage efficiency.

On the contrary, it is surely not optimum because, without extra bias, the tube
operates class B. More bias is needed (produced by the grid resistor) to have
the tube operating class C.

73

Tony I0JX

On Feb 2, 6:29*pm, "Antonio Vernucci" wrote:
I cannot give you actual values for your set up, but basically, if you
have already provided optimum bias with your fixed bias voltage, then
you will not need to develop any more bias across a grid resistor.

peter

My fixed bias is set for an idling plate current of 10 mA. The only criterion
behind that bias setting was to keep the final tube safe. So, it may not be
optimum with regard to the final stage efficiency.

On the contrary, it is surely not optimum because, without extra bias, the tube
operates class B. More bias is needed (produced by the grid resistor) to have
the tube operating class C.

73

Tony I0JX

With a fixed bias supply , do you really need a grid resistor as
such ? how is the -Ve bias reaching the grid ? ....with the
cathode earthed .. the fixed bias is 'required' .. I would think for
a given drive level ... increasing the -Ve grid bias would reduce
the conduction angle and slide the stage from class b to c as
the peak drive level would need to overcome the bias to allow
the grid to conduct .. thus the conduction angle is reduced ?

G ..

On Feb 2, 7:05*pm, Graham wrote:
On Feb 2, 6:29*pm, "Antonio Vernucci" wrote:





I cannot give you actual values for your set up, but basically, if you
have already provided optimum bias with your fixed bias voltage, then
you will not need to develop any more bias across a grid resistor.

peter

My fixed bias is set for an idling plate current of 10 mA. The only criterion
behind that bias setting was to keep the final tube safe. So, it may not be
optimum with regard to the final stage efficiency.

On the contrary, it is surely not optimum because, without extra bias, the tube
operates class B. More bias is needed (produced by the grid resistor) to have
the tube operating class C.

73

Tony I0JX

With a fixed bias supply *, do *you *really *need a *grid *resistor as
such ? how is the *-Ve *bias reaching the *grid ? ....with the
cathode earthed .. the fixed bias is *'required' *.. I would think for
a *given drive *level ... increasing the *-Ve *grid bias would *reduce
the *conduction angle and slide the *stage *from class b to *c *as
the *peak drive level *would need *to *overcome the *bias to allow
the *grid to *conduct .. thus the *conduction angle is reduced ?

G ..- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

The original data has guide lines on the vlaves use in class C
telephony .....

http://www.r-type.org/pdfs/829b.pdf

G ..

With a fixed bias supply , do you really need a grid resistor as
such ?

Yes, because the fixed bias I have chosen causes the tube to operate in class B,
whilst I wish it to operate in class C.

how is the -Ve bias reaching the grid ? ....with the
cathode earthed .. the fixed bias is 'required' .. I would think for
a given drive level ... increasing the -Ve grid bias would reduce
the conduction angle and slide the stage from class b to c as
the peak drive level would need to overcome the bias to allow
the grid to conduct .. thus the conduction angle is reduced ?

G ..- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I agree with your statements but they do not help me much with regard to my
original doubts

The original data has guide lines on the vlaves use in class C
telephony .....

http://www.r-type.org/pdfs/829b.pdf

I have several data sheets for the 828B of various manufacturers but with the
grid resistor value they specify I obtain less output power than with a lower
resistance value

73

Tony I0JX

G ..