Now that we have caught up on basic tube theory, and understand how a beam of electrons can be formed in a vacuum, we are well on our way to understanding how a KLYSTRON operates.

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In the last section, we saw how a very simple transmitter worked. It was made up of several different types of electronic components, including capacitors, transistors, resistors, etc. When we assemble several types of electronic components in a configuration that serves some purpose, we call it a CIRCUIT.

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As discussed in the previous lesson, a Characteristic Curve is found by applying several different voltage levels, and measuring plate voltages vs. plate current. We note that in a diode, if we go below a certain plate voltage, ( in this case 0 volts ) no plate current flows. The minimum point at which the tube no longer operates is called the CUTOFF POINT.

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Power is defined as the rate of which an amount of energy is used to accomplish work. In the mechanical realm, we tend to use the term “horsepower” when describing how much energy a engine can develop. In electronics, we use the term WATT when describing the amount of power used by something.

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Earlier we discussed that there are various ways to produce electricity. We can produce electricity chemically with a battery. We just learned that electricity can be produced mechanically by a generator. What we did not discuss in detail, though, was the difference between electricity produced by a battery, and electricity produced by a generator.

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Ok, so now that you think you’ve had enough with math, you find that AC has more complicated math than DC does. But the fun isn’t quite over yet. You’ve got to be able to convert AC voltage to their DC equivalent voltages, and visa versa. The main problem is with Voltage. DC Voltage is straightforward. If it’s 10 Volts, it’s 10 Volts – period.

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I promissed no more math in the last session, and it was difficult. We could have covered the number of turns to inductance: but we didn’t. We could have covered the math behind inductors in parallel: but we didn’t. But we will cover just a little math in this lesson.

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So far, we have studied the effects of electricity flowing through wires, and have discussed resistors, coils, and metering devices. Both resistors and coils, as we have found, have a restricting effect on the flow of current. We also discussed how a coil has more resistance to AC than it does to DC.

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Remember series and parallel circuits? I know it’s been quite a while since we studied them, but it would do good to review a bit before we get too entangled in other stuff.


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Recall that in our lamp and cap circuit, the lamp lights up for a second, but then goes out. What determines how long the lamp stays light? The lamp is not a perfect device which generates light from electricity. It has losses, and shows electrical friction (read: resistance).

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