Skip to main content
Tube Tinker — Electron Tube Database
Alternatives & variationsDownload PDF datasheet

Specialized - Switching Tube ·MicrowaveTRSwitch

WF42

Broadband X-band TR gas-discharge cell for branched or balanced radar duplexers, specifically developed for high reliability and long life at substantial transmitter line power.

Directly heatedCold cathodeCommon cathodeDissimilarSpecialized
Sections
1
Base
-
Socket code
-
Base pins
-
Nominal heater
-

Description

Ferranti WF42 is a broadband X-band T.R. gas-discharge cell for branched or balanced duplexers. It was specially developed for high reliability and long life and is rated to 200 kW transmitter line power.

General specifications

Tube and section characteristics

Properties common to every published source and operating point.

Heater and base

Base
-
Socket code
-
Base pins
-
Nominal heater voltage
-
Nominal heater current
-
Parallel heater voltage
-
Parallel heater current
-
Series capable
No

Terminal pinout

Electrical assignments shared by every tube using this base designation.

No verified pinout is recorded for this base designation.

Section ratings

1 physical section, each with unique specifications.

Section 1

MicrowaveTRSwitch

X-ray radiationInterelectrode capacitances

No fixed ratings are recorded for this section.

Microwave T.R. gas-discharge cell; device-specific primer, breakdown, leakage, recovery, frequency and power data are retained in parameter rows.

Source-dependent data

Operating conditions by source

Each block preserves the test conditions and published values from one reference. Values from different sources are intentionally kept separate.

Data set 01

1963 Ferranti

Published operating points and test conditions from this source.

SECTION 1

MicrowaveTRSwitch

Frequency

  • Frequency range

    9180 to 10000 Mc/s

Other

  • Maximum transmitter line power

    200 kW

    Peak

  • Minimum transmitter line power

    4 kW

  • D.C. primer supply voltage

    -1500 to -950 V

    Negative D.C.

  • Main primer current

    100 to 185 uA

  • Auxiliary primer current

    50 to 80 uA

  • Storage ambient temperature

    -40 to 100 C

Characteristic

  • VSWR

    - to 1.2

    9400-9800 Mc/s average/limit

  • Insertion loss

    - to 0.8 dB

    Average/limit

  • Total leakage power

    - to 100 mW

    200 kW peak

  • Spike leakage energy

    - to 0.3 erg/pulse

    200 kW peak

  • Primer breakdown power

    - to 250 mW

  • Recovery time to -6 dB

    - to 3 us

  • Primer operating voltage

    180 to 280 V

    Typical around 210 V