"From Fleming to Fetrons"

2006 - TCA's Eighth Year

When you join the TCA you automatically get the current year's back issues! If you have questions, please contact TCA's editor, Lud Sibley: tubelore@jeffnet.org.

	Volume 8, Number 1 - February, 2006 The Cone-Grid 235 An RCA standardizing notice shows that the first production 235 tubes had an odd cone-shaped grid. A Gammatron AM Transmitter A working transmitter is built by applying the Heinz and Kauffman "Gammatron" principle using 6X5WGT and 6AX5GT rectifiers as triodes. Four-Tier Tube Prices at RCA An RCA internal memo decribes RCA's pricing structure. A Letter from Adolph Schwartz A war-time letter from Eimac's East Coast sales representative describing several sales calls. Magnetrons for Ultra-High Frequencies A reprint of an article originally appearing in the October 1936 issue of "Radio". Example transmitters and even a magnetron-powered receiver are decribed. Tungsram Date Decoder A date decoder for Tungsram tubes covering the years 1940 through 1986. Some Frustration at RCA An internal memo complains about lack of communication between departments. Cumulative Index On The Cover: The press and bulb of an "unborn" McCullough tube
	Volume 8, Number 2 - April, 2006 Tube-F-O A bit of Aprilfoolery from our editor. A Visit to "La Radiotechnique" Factory A translation of an article originally appearing in a 1927 Argentinian magazine covering then current advances in tube manufacture. Effects of Design Changes A discussion of how small changes in the physical design of a tube might effect the electrical parameters. RCA's Etch Process An explanation of how RCA marked tubes at their various plants and what information is coded into the markings. Book Review: Robert Von Lieben - 100 Jahre A review of this book describing the development and use of the LRS relay tube, including a biography of Robert Von Lieben. Horizontal Deflection Tubes as RF Power Amplifiers A reprint of an article originally appearing in the Winter 1964 issue of the Sylvania News Technical Section, giving RF power statistics and ratings for a variety of TV sweep tubes. The JIS Code for Power Tubes This summary of the Japan Industrial Code for Power Tubes supplements the code list for receiving tubes given in the April 2005 issue of Tube Collector. Prewar Monoscope Patterns Pictures of early TV monoscope test patterns from RCA standardizing notices. On The Cover: A 1943 life test of an Eimac 304TL at the Salt Lake City plant
	Volume 8, Number 3 - June, 2006 The P-Z Story An anecdote about how the Arcturus PZ got its name. The LA9DL Collection A Norwegian collector decribes his amazing tube collection. Tektronix CRT History - Part 1: The Early Years Noted CRT expert Peter Keller begins a comprehensive history of Tektronix CRTs. Estes Auction Results, April 22, 2006 - Tube Sales AWV's Tube Demonstrator A description of the operation and circuit details of the Amalgamated Wireless Valvbe educational demonstrator and its unusual tubes. A Sample of RCA's "Bullet Tube" A description of this unusual mid-1930s product line that never went into production. Report on Search for Electrical Equipment for Tungsten Manufacture A 1940's reprot by an Eimac engineer giving details of their search for equipment for Tungsten refining. Notes on the Problem of Flaking of Emission Coating in Vacuum Tubes A 1938 in-house Arcturus Company report describing the rcauses of the problem and possible solutions. TCA Member Directory Another Vac-M Lightning Arrester A fourth type of this tube-like arrester is described. Refer to the February 2003 issue for more details on the Vac-M company. On The Cover: A portion of the tube collection of of Just Qvigstad, LA9DL
	Volume 8, Number 4 - August, 2006 The LRS Story - Research and Development in Vienna and Berlin, 1905-1912 A description of the development an use of this historic early tube. Tektronix CRT History - Part 2: The First Tek CRTs Noted CRT expert Peter Keller continues his comprehensive history of Tektronix CRTs. Rider's Tube-Audio Manual A detailed description of the Rider's Public Adress Equipment Manual. The Truth About Radio Tube Prices A Depression-vintaege view from a ca. 1935 RCA dealer mailing, written by Elmer Cunningham. Tube Computers - RCA Field Report The "Gnome" Tube A listing with descriptions of these unusual tubes made by RFT in the early 1950s. On The Cover: A cutaway view of a Western Electric type 240A water-cooled tube
	Volume 8, Number 5 - October, 2006 Tektronix CRT History - Part 3: The Classics, 1955-1959 Noted CRT expert Peter Keller continues his comprehensive history of Tektronix CRTs. The Sargrove UA55 All-Stage Tube A detailed description of thie unique dual tetrode. TCA Board/Member Meeting The 2006 Annual meeting held at Gold Hill, Oregon. 2006 AWA Tube Auction Prices "DOD" Tubes - The Final (?) Word More information on these late US military tubes previously discussed in teh Feb 2002, Oct 2003, Dec 2003, and Feb 2005 issues. Tube Recovery at RCA A RCA report detailing which miniature tube types could be rebranded as other tube types. Substituting for Rogers Majestic Tubes A sumary of a late 1940s Rogers Majestic bulletin with details on how to replace their unusual discontinued types. 12HN8 - The Abandoned Record-Breaker A description of characteristic and application notes for this developmental RCA type. On The Cover: The Eimac X-0 from early 1942. This is the first of the Eimac "X" series of developmental types
	Volume 8, Number 6 - December, 2006 Vacuum Mechanics - Tubes and Related Devices with Mechanical Moving Parts The FCC and Broadcast Tubes A sampling of FCC requirements for broadcast stations in the 1940s. History of Eimac Varian Facility in Salt Lake City, 1942 to 2006 2006 TCA Auction Prices The Wunderlich Detector A discussion of circuits, variants, and radios that used them. Eimac Tubes Made for Others A list from the Perham-Eimac archive of tubes branded for other companies ca. 1950. European Metal Tubes Some of the unique characteristics of these tubes introduced in 1938. Phototubes for Proximity Fuzes Descriptions of RCA types 932, 933, and 936. On The Cover: DeForest Company art ca. 1931 - The young Lee DeForest being inspired to invent the flame audion, and the resulting perfected S-bulb triode.
	TR> Special Publication No. 11 - August, 2006 Thermionic Miscellany - A compliation of articles nominally too long to fit in a regular issue, plus a few shorter pieces DeForest's Fuzz-Booster An unusual amplifier designed to amplify spark transmissions. Was the VT-11 a Dud? War-time (WWI) development of vacuum tubes. RCA and Private Brands A compilation of the private brands made by RCA. The FETRON - Solid State Vacuum Tube Replacement A look at these unusual devices from a Teledyne brochure. Two Unusual Duotriodes The British Ediswan VT63 and Mullar SV2000 tubes are discusssed and described. Metal Tubes For Eleven Volts Some odd 1940s French receiving types. Tubes, Inc. A reprint of an article from the November 1938 issue of Electronics giving an insight into trade practices of the day. On The Cover: The Eimac X-3 triode that eventually lead to the 527 radar tube
	Special Publication No. 12 - December 2006 RCA Master Tube Sales Plan - 1950 This is a reprint of RCAs internal marketing plan for receiving tubes and kinescopes for the year 1950. Termed a "sales plan", it really covers the much broader topic of product management. It reflects the difficulties the compeny faced, despite being the industry leader. It sets out to address such matters as keeping the factories evenly loaded during the year despite a strongly seasonal business, the apparent perception that the "Cunningham" brand represented tubes of lower quality than "RCA", and the need to improve customer relations.