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VP2B

Sensibly equivalent to:
CV520
    
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The VP2B is unusual in that it is a variable μ hexode. What was the VP2B was really intended for? Mullard quote ratings and characteristics for use as a mixer, a pentode and a tetrode but we have no direct information from Tungsram.
About the same time (1937) Hivac introduced their 'Universal' Type A15 which was intended to serve as RF amplifier or frequency changer or detector or AF amplifier or output valve or HT rectifier merely by connecting it in different ways. This idea was re-worked by John Sargrove at Tungsram in the early post war years with his UA-55 and automated receiver production techniques.
Unfortunately the Jack of all trades is the master of none and the Hivac A15 sold like the proverbial lead balloon. Today they are very rare.
When used as a mixer the VP2B would need a separate oscillator valve so there doesn't seem to be much saving there. As far as we know it was normally used connected as a pentode when used in domestic radios. It can only be assumed that Philips had some arcane purpose for this valve and that Mullard were obliged to make and market a British version of it. Even more interesting is that this Tungsram Type VP2B actually is a pentode, not a hexode!
This battery valve was designed to run from an accumulator supply for the filament and dry batteries for the anode could have its amplification altered by altering the grid bias voltage, as for any variable μ type. If used in a superhet receiver the automatic gain control (AGC) derived from the rectified output could be used to alter the gain of RF and IF stages to avoid distortion.
The reverse is plain metal loaded paint for screening.
The classic envelope is 38 mm in diameter and, excluding the B7 base pins, is 96 mm tall.
References: Data-sheet, private communication, 1048 & 1040. Type VP2B was first introduced in 1937. See also 1937 adverts.

 

Pin Connections
B7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
tc
m
a
g3
f
f
g4
g2
g1

 

Absolute Maximum Operating Conditions
Hexode
Vh
Ah
Va
Vs
Vg
mAa
mAs
ra
gm
2.0
0.135
135
60
-1.5
2.0
0.95
1.3M
1.4
PDF scanned from an original document held by the museum
Updated July 06, 2017.
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