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Yes, there are diffences between the A and B versions. There are also
differences between various manufacturers. However, that doesn't change the fact that the two tubes are generally interchangeable. All of the hoopla got started when an article was written about some problems Motorola had with some VHF gear that was designed around the 6146A and had fixed neutralization. Their attempt to stadardize around the 6146B caused them some problems. The bottom line is, if it will neutralize, it will work fine. Frankly, I've never found a piece of ham gear they won't work in. A partial list of radios I have used them in with NO PROBLEMS: COLLINS: KWM2A, 32S3A GONSET: Commander HEATHKIT: DX-60, DX100, HW-100, HW-101, Apache JOHNSON: Ranger, Valiant, Viking II KNIGHT: T-150 MULTI ELMAC: AF67, AF68 WRL: Globe Scout 680A There are others. Like I said, I've never found an example where they won't work, and work well. I haven't tried them on VHF equipment. I'll be the first to admit that there could be a problem there. Darrell Darrell wrote: Make sure that your replacement finals are 6146, or 6146A's, never B's! I've got to challenge this statement. This rumor has been circulating for several years now. When I received my new HW-100 from Heathkit in 1968, it came with RCA 6146B's. There was a note enclosed that said that they(Heath) were having problems getting 6146A's and that the 6146B's would work fine. They did. The radio neutralized without any problems and stayed that way. That there are big differences between the 6146(A), and the 6146B is not a rumour. It shows up on the spec sheets as different interelectrode capacitances. The 6146B had a bigger plate size, and handled something like a third more plate dissipation. It would have been better if I had said that you must use which ever was certified by the manufacturer, straights, A's or B's. Heath had already made the necessary modifications to the final section of your radio. You would probably have had problems if you tried A's. The 6146B should have been issued a new number. -Chuck |
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