FPGA VAX update, now DIY TTL computers

Chuck> ... the other was a low-voltage tube Chuck> used in automobile receivers that were specified for 12.6 Chuck> volts on the plate (e.g. 12AE7 dual triode). These would be Chuck> coupled with a solid-state driver and power amplifier for a Chuck> auto radio with no vibrator supply. Chuck> ... the second would seem to substantially reduce Chuck> the power requirements. To anyone's knowledge were either of Chuck> these two components ever used in digital applications? I doubt it for the 12 volt tube case. For car radios they make sense, for the reasons you gave. (I built a radio for our camper using those, as a boy scout project. Tubes for the RF/IF stages, a very early (1971 or so) op amp as AF preamp, and totem pole transistor AF final amp.) But I don't think the electrical parameters were all that good, given the unusually low anode voltage. And I don't see any reason for the power consumption to be less. Lower voltage, sure, but the current may go up in proportion. And the filaments were still the usual, which accounts for a fair chunk of the power. paul