Collins 32V1 and 2

[K3DZ]

I have limited data on the Raytheon series of power tubes.  Can someone help regarding application in the Collins 32V series transmitters?

(1) Is there a difference between a 4D32 and RK-4D32, be it basing or electrical characteristics?

(2) Can someone suggest an on-line, text book or ARRL source that discusses these differences?

(3) Are there reliable 32V final amplifier redesigns where a different (easier to obtain) power tube has been substituted?

My ARRL Handbooks have a different pin out than the pin out that appears on the Collins schematic for the 32V transmitter.  This point is confusing me and has prompted me to post this message.
 
Thank you Frank Lotito K3DZ

[k7yoo]

The 4D32 is a great tube and unless you are 13 years old, or treat it badly, a good one will outlast you. I have a 32V2 that someone went to all of the effort to change over to a pair of 6146B's. It is not measurably better than stock. I most likely will change it back as I have several 32V junkers with intact RF sections. For many years these tubes were very difficult to find (along with 7360's) but a depot somewhere unloaded a huge pile of them on the market about 10 years ago. Now they are quite easy to find.

[Tom WA3KLR]

Raytheon was the only manufacturer.  Also used in the Hallicrafters HT-20 and Johnson Viking I (from Ludwell Sibley's book "Tube Lore").

It is an admirably designed and constructed tube in my opinion.  It has a built-in  screen-grid bypass mica capacitor.  This would greatly help the VHF performance of the tube. I don't know what the upper range of intended operation was.

[K3DZ]

Please note my last paragraph where I mention Collins vs ARRL HB pin outs.  

Thank you - K3DZ

[KE6DF]

Here is a link to an old Raytheon tube manual.

http://www.pmillett.com/tubedata/RaytheonTubes.pdf

[KE6DF]

Here is a data sheet on the RK 4D32

http://datasheets.electron-tube.net/sheets/138/4/4D22.pdf

[Tom WA3KLR]

Consulting my 32V3 manual and the 1955 ARRL handbook, I did not see any conflict.  The ARRL's tube tables figure 51 schematic may have been somwhat confusing though.

filament pins 1, 7
cathode pins 4, 5 (beam forming plates also, drawn as supressor grid)
grid 1 pin 6
grid 2 pin 2
plate - cap
pin 3 - no connection.

[WA3VJB]

There are two and maybe three versions of the 4D32.

The most common has etched markings and is RK-4D32.

Newer, and more rare, is JAN-4D32, red paint markings.

Most rare is the 4D32 with a ceramic base beneath the glass envelope.

All the same characteristics, and yes, the original RK-4D32 in mine lasted 25 years with quite a lot of use into loads of widely varied quality.  Performance falls off at 10 meters then downward when emission goes soft.

[W2JBL]

i got my 32V2 from it's origional owner when i was 15. i'm 51 now and i'm still on the 4D32 that came with it. the seller told me it was the origional tube. it still makes 100 watts out with plenty of audio headroom.

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

4D32s were indeed once expensive/difficult to get, but that ended some years ago when the military dumped a ton (likely several) of late date code JAN stock from inventory. Someone was selling them 2-3 at a time online a while ago for $18.

As others have said, it's a very stout tube with excellent longevity unless you abuse it heavily. Last time I fired it up, my 32V-2 was still making full power with the one that came in it back in the early 90s, quite possibly the original tube.