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How to Wire a Radio Tube 32

A 32 vacuum tube was called a "valve" because it controlled a beam of electrons like a water pipe valve controls water. The tube was designed as a RF amplifier in battery operated radios. Technically the 32 is a sharp-cutoff tetrode with a cathode, grid, plate and a electrostatic shield between the grid and plate that greatly reduced the capacitance (ability to hold an electrical charge). The sharp-cutoff refers to the limited voltage range under which the tube functions during operation. Wiring instructions can be obtained from the tube's pin diagram, operating characteristics and applicable circuit diagrams demonstrating actual wiring.

Things You'll Need

Computer with web access
List for antique radio tubes locations
Ham radio station (W0RES)
Pin 32" diagram
Pin numbers
Pin connections
Copy of "32" circuit

Instructions

How to Wire Radio Tube 32
- 1
  Locate a 32 radio vacuum tube online or send out a call (CQ) to ham radio operators who might have the information. They are not commonly stocked by your normal electronics shop. Search for the tube's pin diagram. Look under the vacuum tube museums. Keep searching through the museum's information details. Many times it will lead you to more in-depth information on the 32 vacuum tube or valve.
- 2
  Copy the pin diagram for Tube 32, a sharp-cutoff tetrode. Note that it will have four pins numbered and a notched cap on top without numbers. Numbers 1 and 4 pins are connected to the cathode/filament circuit. Number 3 pin is connected to the grid circuit and number 2 pin is connected to the plate circuit. The notched cap on the top of the vacuum tube is connected to the shielded screen. This screen is connected to an external capacitor and greatly reduces the grid to plate capacitance of the vacuum tube.
- 3
  Observe the 32 in an actual circuit and verify your pin connections to the tube. Read the characteristics of the 32 vacuum tube such as voltages and currents, resistance and trans conductance, and capacitance which will assist you in locating the tube in the correct circuit as well as the pins correct wiring. Review the installation and application requirements. The d-c resistance in the grid circuit should not exceed 2 meg ohms. Also a family of plate operation characteristic curves is provided for the 32 vacuum tube's operation.
  
  Finally, Sylvania has a data sheet on 32's application, but it is in French.

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