Make
Polarad Electronics Corp.
Model
ZV1011
Polarad ZV1011 Velocitron tube
The Polarad ZV1011, nicknamed the “Velocitron”, is a reflex klystron vacuum tube manufactured by Polarad Electronics Corporation, a U.S. company active in the 1940s-1960s known for RF/microwave test equipment and components.
Overview
- Type: Reflex klystron (external cavity).
- Purpose: Used for generating or amplifying microwave signals in the SHF/EHF frequency range (>3 GHz), typically for applications like radar simulation, microwave test equipment, and early communications systems.
- Nickname: “Velocitron,” likely a marketing term emphasizing its high-frequency capabilities (derived from “velocity” and “electron”).
- Manufacturer: Polarad Electronics Corporation, Long Island, New York.
Technical Specifications
Exact datasheets for the ZV1011 are scarce due to its age and the obsolescence of vacuum tube technology, but collector sources provide the following details:
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Tube Type | Reflex Klystron (external cavity) |
| Frequency Range | Super High Frequency (SHF) / Extremely High Frequency (EHF), likely >3 GHz (exact range not fully documented) |
| Dimensions | Length: ~3.80 inches; Diameter: ~0.85 inches |
| Power Ratings | Filament voltage/current and max power not specified in available records; typical for klystrons of the era (~6-12V filament, low power output in milliwatts) |
| Applications | Signal generation in microwave test equipment (e.g., Polarad spectrum analyzers), radar systems, and laboratory setups |
| Construction | Vacuum tube with external cavity resonator, requiring precise tuning for frequency control |
- Functionality: Reflex klystrons generate microwave signals by modulating an electron beam in a resonant cavity. The ZV1011’s external cavity design allowed for tunable frequency output, making it versatile for test equipment like Polarad’s SA-1 or 1107E series.
- Era: Produced in the 1950s-1960s, during the height of vacuum tube use in RF/microwave technology before solid-state devices took over.