Micro-Wave Valve Announced

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 26, 4 January 1935, Page 43

Micro-Wave Valve Announced

R.C.A. Experimental _ Type RADICALLY new type of radio valve resembling an‘ acorn in size and shape, for use by amateurs and experimenters in ultra-high frequéncy- or micro-wave reception and transmission, has been announced by the Amateur Radio Division of the R-C.A. Radiotron Company. a Amateur radio experimenters, who have been credited with being the first to open up the practicable. possibilities of short waves, are now exploring the possibilities of the extremely short micro-waves, which are similar in some ways to light rays because they seem to "reach out only as far as the eye can see. Comparatively little is yet known about .the micro-waves, and they offer an attractive field for research and experimentation which the-new acorn type valve should advance. In announcing the new device, the R.C.A. Radiotron Company emphasises that it has been developed for amateur — and experimental use, and is in no way to be considered as a substitute for use in conventional types of receivers. The valve, which has been designated by the number RCA-955, is a heatercathode triode which may be used as an amplifier, detector or-oscillator at frequencies up to 600 megaicycles, or about half a metre in waveiength, The new valve is the only triode capable of operating at ultra-high frequencies, and. it is therefore indispensable for use in the 2}-metre and lower wavelength: bands, Although the 955 is not especially deSigned to be a transmitting valve, it may be used as such just as other receiving valves are used.in transmitters ,by amateurs. When used for this purpose, sufficient power output is usually obtainable to cover the. line-of-sight transmission distances which are generally reached by micro-wave transmissions. ’ Because of its extremely small size, the acorn type valve is especially suited for use in portable radio equipment where conservation of space and weight is important. . The essential characteristics of the 955 acorn type valve are: Heater Voltage ............ 6.3 volts ‘Heater Current .......... 0.16 amp. Maximum Plate Voltage ... ‘180 volts Grid Voltage .............5 e 5 volts Maximum Plate Current 4.5 milliamps, Amplification Factor: ........e06.