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.

It might be tough to find the data on the total number of 6146's
produced since RCA was not the only manufacturer of the tubes. RCA,
Sylvania, GE, at least one Japanese firm and possibly others produced
the tubes. Likewise, a number of manufacturers produced 6JB6's.

Dave K8MN

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

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.

I've never heard that before. Where can I read more about this?

73,
Mike, KK6GM

In article .com,
Mike Silva wrote:
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.

I've never heard that before. Where can I read more about this?

73,
Mike, KK6GM

Mike,
I read it in a QST from sometime in the late 60's -- it wasn't a feature
article but a "Stray", I think, about the millionth 6146 (or some
other notable number, I think it was a million) produced by RCA. I
just did a quick search of the QST article database on the ARRL website
with no luck, but if I find the article, I'll post something.

I don't know if there are any other cases of a tube being introduced
especially because of an amateur need (although RCA certainly marketed
the 6146 to land-mobile and other markets right away). It was envisioned
as a sort of "modern 807" in function, although it's obvious that it's
a scaled-up 2E26 if you look at the tubes.

73,
Ted, W1XO

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

RadioGuy wrote:

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.

Different brands of tubes had slight variations in internal
capacitance and could upset the neutralization. By sticking with one
brand you had a better chance of changing the tube and being able to go
right back on the air.


--
Former professional electron wrangler.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

Ted Zateslo wrote:
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

The 6JB6 was used in about 50% of RCA's B&W TV line from 1964 till at
least 1967. They had power transformers in most 23 inch TVs and high end
19 Inch sets. Zenith also used this tube is some chassis in the 1964 line.

Bill Cohn - N9MHT
Former Zenith B&W TV design engineer

Bill Cohn billcohn1.comcast.net wrote in message
...
Ted Zateslo wrote:
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

The 6JB6 was used in about 50% of RCA's B&W TV line from 1964 till at
least 1967. They had power transformers in most 23 inch TVs and high end
19 Inch sets. Zenith also used this tube is some chassis in the 1964 line.

Bill Cohn - N9MHT
Former Zenith B&W TV design engineer

Bill, it sure would be nice if you could estimate the number of TV's in that
run that used the 6JB6. I suspect those RCA TV's used the RCA 6JB6; what
about the Zenith TV's?. Do you have any thoughts regarding the Sylvania
6JB6's?

RG

RadioGuy wrote:
Bill Cohn billcohn1.comcast.net wrote in message
...

Ted Zateslo wrote:

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


The 6JB6 was used in about 50% of RCA's B&W TV line from 1964 till at
least 1967. They had power transformers in most 23 inch TVs and high end
19 Inch sets. Zenith also used this tube is some chassis in the 1964 line.

Bill Cohn - N9MHT
Former Zenith B&W TV design engineer


Bill, it sure would be nice if you could estimate the number of TV's in that
run that used the 6JB6. I suspect those RCA TV's used the RCA 6JB6; what
about the Zenith TV's?. Do you have any thoughts regarding the Sylvania
6JB6's?

RG


To answer your question about an estimate of how many sets were in those
runs I would gues probably between 100,000 and 200,000 sets. I am sure
that its at least an order of magnitude more than the number of Drake Rigs.

Although you would expect that RCA used their own tubes that was not
necessarily true. Zenith used both RCA and Sylvania tubes that they had
custom branded. It was also not out of the question for RCA to get their
run of 6JB6s from Sylvania or vica versa. Not all tube manufacturers
made all tube types and often traded types to make it look like they
made a complete line.

73 de N9MHT - Bill