THE UBIQUITOUS 6146

[VE3WI Dave]

These days everything is solid state, but some of us became hams when vacuum tubes were everywhere.  No other tube has powered more ham rigs than the 6146 & its cousins:

6146A: improved heater
6146B: completely redesigned, not interchangable with earlier ones
6146W: ruggedized military version
6883A/B: 12V heaters. 

RCA introduced the 6146 in 1952, and they are still going strong in lots of vintage ham rigs. 

When I first got licensed in 1968, the UNB ham club had the big Heathkit twins - Mohawk RX & Marauder TX.  The Marauder used two 6146s for 180 watts PEP.  They were great rigs, a real pleasure to operate.

My first TX was a little EICO 723 which had a 6DQ6 PA, giving 60 watts on CW.  It's big brother was the 720, which had a single 6146 for 90 watts CW or AM.  After I graduated & got a job I splurged for a Heathkit SB-102, which had: 2 - 6146s.

I've been searching for parts to recreate my original station. I didn't think I'd ever find an EICO 723 so when I saw a reasonably-priced restorable 720 I bought it.  Of course immediately thereafter, I saw a 723 so now I have both!  I'll be listing the 720 one of these days.

Here's what they look like:



If you want to buy one, RF Parts has new Chinese-built 6146Bs for about $60US.  Also many NOS & used/tested ones listed on eBay & several online stores.  

Recently I saw a thread on QRZ.com where people were posting lists of rigs that used the 6146.  It's a long list.
73
Dave, VE3WI
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Collins
KWM-1
KWM-2
32S-1
32S-2
32S-3

E. F. Johnson
Ranger
Ranger II
Viking II
Navigator
Pacemaker
Valiant
Valiant II
Invader
Vanguard
Victor

Heathkit
DX-35
DX-40
DX-60
DX-60B
DX-100
DX-100B
Apache (TX-1)
SB-100
SB-101
SB-102
SB-400
SB-401
HW-100
HW-101
HX-1680
HX-10 (Marauder)
MT-1 (Cheyenne)
HX-20
SB-500
VHF-1 Seneca
SB-110 (A)

Kenwood
TS-520
TS-830
TS-500
TS-510
TS-515
T-599

Yaesu
T-101ZD
FT-102
FT-902
FT901D
FT-901DM
FTV-650B

Inoue (Icom)
IC-700T

Hallicrafters
HT-32 (A)
HT-32B
HT-37
FPM-200

Hammurland
HX-500

Swan
250

Eico
720

Knight
T-150
T-160

Multi Eimac
AF-67
AF-68

WRL
Scout
HG 303
HG 602

Eldico
T-102

Gonset
Commander
G-77

Barker & Williamson
B&W 5100 (B)
B&W 6100

Lafayette
KT-390

Morrow
MB-568

Geloso
G.222.TR
G4-225
G4-228
G4-229

KW Electonics
KW2000
KW204
Viceroy
Vespa Mk I

Miniphase
SB7M

Mosley
Commando II

Frontier Electronics
FE-600

Panda
Explorer

Tiger
Tigress

Uniden/Tempo
2020 6146B

GE
Progress Line (VHF)

Clegg
Venus (12 volt version of the 6146, the 6883)
Thor