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A Signal School First

NR89 ('Sutton' Tube). The first Microwave Radar local oscillator, developed by R W Sutton at ASE Extension, Bristol.

Based on principles originating in 1939 at Stanford University, USA, it gave tens of milliwatts output at frequencies around 3 GHz with an 8% tuning range. Samples were available in Autumn 1940, and used by H W B Skinner in his experimental S-band Radar at Swanage. (This also used Megaw's Magnetron E1189 and a 'Cats Whisker Crystal Mixer' made by Skinner himself).

In small scale production at ASEE, EMI and E K Cole from March 1941, it was used in early Type 271 Radar systems.

The NR89 was succeeded in 1941 by CV35, REL8 & CV67.

It is possible that this exhibit is incorrectly labelled as the NR89 has a very long drift space and this device does not. This exhibit may be a later version reflex klystron.

The wide glass tube envelope is 28 mm in diameter and, excluding the IO base pins, is 170 mm tall.

References: Private communication & ³⁰⁰². Type NR89 was first introduced in 1941. See also 1941 adverts.

Pin Connections

Absolute Maximum Operating Conditions^¶