The acorn valves were designed to have low capacitances and therefore work to higher frequencies than the normal valves.

Radio amateurs used them for work at 144 MHz after WW2.

Thanks to G6RHV we have details of the operating conditions. The information comes from the leaflet packed with the valve and gives the data as 'Tentative Characteristics' and dates from 1936. The year the 956 was introduced. Clink the link above for a reproduction of the data sheet.

The valve is marked JRC956, the JRC marking being a US Government quality code.

The acorn envelope is 14 mm in diameter and, including the base pins, is 45 mm tall.

 
Absolute Maximum Operating Conditions

Pentode	Vh	Ah	Va	Vs	Vg	mAa	mAs	ra	gm
	6.3	0.15	250	100	-3	5.5	1.8	0.8M	1.8

Thanks to Frank Philipse for supplying the above datasheet

This exhibit was last updated on 02 December 2007 {find valves by name}