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Diodes, Triodes, Tetrodes & Pentodes

Here you'll find the exotic cousins of a typical radio tube, including computer tubes, high frequency tubes and other specialized devices. Computer tubes resemble conventional radio tubes, but have unusual transistor-like characteristics (sharp cutoff, fast response time). High frequency tubes often come in exotic metal-and-glass or metal-and ceramic envelopes.

The most well-known metal-and-ceramic tube is the Nuvistor, developed by RCA as a response to what would ultimately be an overwhelming invasion of solid state electronics. They have a miniature metal envelope, comparable in size to early small signal transistors. Most Nuvistors were high performance triodes, though there are a few tetrode types.

Eimac 2-01C
	The 2-01C is a high frequency rectifier tube rated at 2.8 Ghz. 2-01C tubes were commonly used in the AC probes for Hewlett Packard vacuum tube voltmeters, but were replaced in newer models with the EA53 tube, a more rugged tube with a spring-loaded contact. [View Detail]

General Electric KR-9

The KR-9 is a powerful high voltage rectifier used in x-ray machines and similar devices. The tube is contained in a very unusual frosted glass envelope with a large bare metal dome and anode cap. The dome terminates in a threaded connector for secure connection of the anode wire. Some versions of this tube replace the bare metal dome with a black metal shield which extends down to the first rib on the glass envelope. The tube is quite large: length is 7" and the tube has a diameter of 3" at its widest point. [View Detail]

GM Delco 2DV4
	The 2DV4 is a relatively common Nuvistor part number, similar to the even more common 6DV4 medium-mu triode, but equipped with a 2V heater filament. This example is rather unusual however, in that the manufacturer has chosen to apply a gold plating to the entire outside surface of its case, affording it some protection from the harsh environment of an average vehicle. [View Detail]

Hytron HY114B
	The Hytron HY114B is an unusual compact power triode with two anode caps and miniature internals. Also known as VT-234. [View Detail]

Hytron VT-232
	The Hytron VT-232 is a VHF vacuum triode with two anode caps. [View Detail]

Heintz & Kaufman 'Gammatron' 24-G / VT-204
	The H&K 'Gammatron' 24G is a primitive VHF triode with top and side connectors and a four-pin base. [View Detail]

Tung-Sol JAN-5678
	Devices included in this entry: Tung-Sol JAN-5678 subminiature pentode (pictured in thumbnail) Sonotone JOZ-5678 subminiature pentode Tung-Sol JTL-5678 subminiature pentode The Tung-Sol JAN-5678 is a subminiature high frequency pentode with an integral metallic shield. [View Detail]

National Union 7193
	The National Union 7193 is a VHF triode with double anode caps. [View Detail]

Eimac 4X150G / JAN-8172
	The Eimac 4X150G is a coaxial UHF power tetrode capable of 500MHz CW or 1.5GHz pulsed operation. [View Detail]

Arcturus Blue Series
	Devices included in this entry: Arcturus 127 detector Arcturus 551 variable mu tetrode (pictured in thumbnail) No tube collection is complete without at least one or two blue Arcturus balloon tubes. [View Detail]

JAN-CG-3C22
	The 3C22 is a high power transmitter triode capable of 125W operation at 1.5GHz. The 3C22 was used in the AN/APT-5 radar jammer. [View Detail]

National Electronics 6252
	Double tetrode, 12.6V 0.65A filament. [View Detail]

RCA 8072
	RCA 8072 VHF linear amplifier tube, coaxial electrode structure, full input up to 500MHz. [View Detail]

Machlett EE-103
	Planar cermet transmitter tube of unknown specification. [View Detail]

GE CAA-322
	The CAA-322 is a metal-and-ceramic planar diode used in high frequency applications (up to 1.5 GHz). Machlett ML-322 Datasheet [View Detail]

RCA 446A
	This strange looking device, which resembles a layered wedding cake, is actually a high power transmitting triode. The two glass chambers on the top of the tube are separated by a thin screen.

RCA 5876A
	The 5876A is a high-mu pencil triode used in high frequency applications (up to 3 GHz). The 5876A is a component in the popular HP 608 Signal Generator. RCA 5876A Datasheet [View Detail]

GE / Burroughs 5963
	The General Electric 5963 is a medium-mu twin triode, basically a computer-rated 12AU7. This rare example has been rebranded by Burroughs, indicating its intended use in a Burroughs computer. [View Detail]

GE JAN-CG-6442
	The 6442 is a high-mu metal-and-ceramic planar triode used in high frequency applications (up to 5 GHz). This particular example is a JAN-CG variation. GE 6442 Datasheet [View Detail]

National Union 7235
	Miniature high voltage triode with anode cap. Rated at 10kV. [View Detail]

Raytheon 0Z4G
	The 0Z4 is an argon filled full wave rectifier. Most 0Z4s have an opaque metal envelope, the example pictured here is the somewhat rarer glass envelope 'G' variant. [View Detail]

RCA 6161
	The RCA 6161 is a power transmitter triode with forced-air cooling and an integral radiator. The 6161 operates as a power amplifier or oscillator, up to 900MHz at full power, 2.5GHz at reduced power. [View Detail]

RCA 7587
	The 7587 is an oddity, a Nuvistor with an anode cap. The 7587 is a sharp cutoff tetrode, which was released in 1961. This example is still contained in its original packaging, showing how Nuvistors and their sockets were boxed for the commercial market. [View Detail]

RCA 8025
	The RCA 8025 is an unusual 500MHz, 40W transmitting triode with four side contacts. [View Detail]

Telefunken RV12P2000 Pentode

The 'Wehrmacht' RV12P2000 pentode was one of the most prolific tubes used by Nazi Germany during World War 2, and saw use in nearly every type of electronic device employed at the time. The tube's unusual six pin base was designed to be mated to a special wraparound socket that would completely encircle the tube; unlike most tubes the RV12P2000 was designed to be inserted into its socket with the anode cap facing downward. The tube has a small threaded bushing in the center of its base, when installed a pull handle would be attached here to make it easier to remove the tube from its socket. The RV12P2000 was such a popular and reliable tube that it saw considerable use in Germany even after the war ended. The example shown here was most likely manufactured in 1947, based on the print style and shape of it's anode cap. [View Detail]

Amperex EA53
	The EA53 is a high frequency rectifier, rated at up to 1 GHz. The EA53 is used as a measuring diode in the AC probe of the Hewlett-Packard 410B Vacuum Tube Voltmeter. Philips EA53 Datasheet [View Detail]

Raytheon VT255 (JAN-CRP705A)
	The VT255 is a 30kV@50ma half-wave rectifier with a 5V filament. [View Detail]

Tungar Bulb (Unknown Mfr.)

A tungar bulb is a simple type of rectifier tube used to generate DC current in car battery chargers and other similar devices. The tube has a lightbulb-style base which connects to a directly heated cathode; the anode connection protrudes from a clay bead at the top of the tube. The heavy silvering and side nipple make the tube rather attractive, despite its primitive construction. Part number is unknown. [View Detail]

Western Electric 416B
	The Western Electric 416B is a gold plated planar triode designed for high frequency transmitters. The 416B has an unusual package with a ring shaped threaded gold contact, which anchors the tube in place when installed. [View Detail]

Western Electric 418A
	[View Detail]

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