Running a 1kW Gates AM-TX for the AFRTS

[tri-comp]

Hi,


In the mid seventies I was working for the 4684th ABGp maintaining studio and transmitter equipment for the affiliated AFRTS station.
We had a lot of Gates/Harris AM-studio equipment (Mixers, TurnTables, CartMachines etc.) and of course the main transmitter: A 1kW Gates AM transmitter running on 250Watts except when we really wanted people off-base in on what was braodcasted. The transmitter was fully solid-state except of PA & Modulation output.
All these informations just leads up to my question of WHAT direct-heated (RCA..?) triodes were used here? Very big bottles with just 2 thick pins sticking up (Anode & Grid) and 2 equally thick pins sticking down (Filament/Kathode).
It irritates me that I can't remember so if anyone please would shed some light.

rgds,

/tri-comp

 

[GordonW]

Sounds like 833s. Were they almost "square", except for the pins?

Found (stole ) a pic:

Regards,
Gordon.

 

[tri-comp]

Thanks Gordon, right on the spot. :tresbon:
Don't you just love these cookie-jar bottles?

Someone even build SE monoblock's around it (Just under $50.000/pair):

Go here for the story:

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue9/wavac833.htm

Thanks again,

rgds,

/tri-comp

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Hi,

This Gates transmitter is most likely a Vanguard, Vanguard II, or a BC 1H. I maintained a BC 5P in my youth. The BC 1 series went cheaper with the BC 1T as Harris went for "Value Engineering".

 

[jrsh92]

The guy at Tubelab did a project with a single ended 833A. He got 212 watts out of it... sounds like a fun tube to play with. I'm thinking 1/2 kw guitar amp with some PP 833's and a pickup truck full of iron.:yes: