05-08-2026, 08:48 AM
Hi Arran,
Yes, I'm sure that they do not come on S or ST style, as a lot of series string TVs came about in the 1950s. I think that even post-war sets had GT style tubes ether than any pre-war or military surplus sets. I have not seen 5V6s but have seen 5AQ5s, which were quite popular in GE sets for Audio output, but deviate even more from the desired envelope.
Seems that according to Radiomuseum, these tubes were manufactured by or for "Sparton-Cardon", which has a rather interesting history. The company was named after William Sparks of the Sparks Withington Company (Sparton) and his 2 grandchildren, Carter and Donald. They produced tubes from 1924 to 1930, but did not obtain a license from RCA until about 1930, when they ceased manufacture and bought their tubes from RCA. According to Radiomuseum, the 183 was released in 1924 but the only sets that used the tube were 3 Sparton models between 1930 and 1931, making this an extremely rare tube if Radiomuseum is correct. It is strange that the tube was used in 1930 and 1931 but Sparton ceased actual production of tubes in 1930. Did they build a bunch of these before designing and building the radio or did they get RCA to knock off a run of these tubes when they speced the radio?? The 484s are another wierdo tube. They appear to be 27s but with 3V heaters instead of 2.5V heaters. Add this to the 3 section tuned circuit before the 1st RF amp tube, then all broad band, no tuned circuits between 1st RF and detector and this is a strange set to say the least! For those that have fixed or restored one, how do they compare to other TRF sets like a Philco 21?
I suppose that one way of dealing with this would be to either add a transformer with a 2.5V 3A secondary or add resistors on both sides of the filament to switch to '45s. Only problem is that the 45s were 1.5A at 2.5V so between the 2 tubes, you add 0.5A to the transformer load.
Here is a link to the same issue, from ARF. Solutions varied with one person recommending 2 45s with the filaments in series (that had to generate some hum for sure) to a statement that 71As were almost a match for power output.
https://antiqueradios.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=286654
Yes, I'm sure that they do not come on S or ST style, as a lot of series string TVs came about in the 1950s. I think that even post-war sets had GT style tubes ether than any pre-war or military surplus sets. I have not seen 5V6s but have seen 5AQ5s, which were quite popular in GE sets for Audio output, but deviate even more from the desired envelope.
Seems that according to Radiomuseum, these tubes were manufactured by or for "Sparton-Cardon", which has a rather interesting history. The company was named after William Sparks of the Sparks Withington Company (Sparton) and his 2 grandchildren, Carter and Donald. They produced tubes from 1924 to 1930, but did not obtain a license from RCA until about 1930, when they ceased manufacture and bought their tubes from RCA. According to Radiomuseum, the 183 was released in 1924 but the only sets that used the tube were 3 Sparton models between 1930 and 1931, making this an extremely rare tube if Radiomuseum is correct. It is strange that the tube was used in 1930 and 1931 but Sparton ceased actual production of tubes in 1930. Did they build a bunch of these before designing and building the radio or did they get RCA to knock off a run of these tubes when they speced the radio?? The 484s are another wierdo tube. They appear to be 27s but with 3V heaters instead of 2.5V heaters. Add this to the 3 section tuned circuit before the 1st RF amp tube, then all broad band, no tuned circuits between 1st RF and detector and this is a strange set to say the least! For those that have fixed or restored one, how do they compare to other TRF sets like a Philco 21?
I suppose that one way of dealing with this would be to either add a transformer with a 2.5V 3A secondary or add resistors on both sides of the filament to switch to '45s. Only problem is that the 45s were 1.5A at 2.5V so between the 2 tubes, you add 0.5A to the transformer load.
Here is a link to the same issue, from ARF. Solutions varied with one person recommending 2 45s with the filaments in series (that had to generate some hum for sure) to a statement that 71As were almost a match for power output.
https://antiqueradios.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=286654
"Do Justly, love Mercy and walk humbly with your God"- Micah 6:8
"Let us begin to do good"- St. Francis
Best Regards,
MrFixr55
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