There are, in my opinion, two critical parts to an SSB transceiver not withstanding solid-state or vacuum tube. These key pieces are the balanced modulator and the product detector.
Today I would like to talk about a vacuum tube balanced modulator tube, the 6JH8. Many of the tube balanced modulators in the early days of SSB used the RCA 7360 Beam Deflection Tube.
Check your early Swan's, or National transceivers and you will find the 7360. The rising cost of this tube caused a look at what else can do the job and enter the 6JH8, also a beam deflection tube at a fraction of the cost of a 7360. Collins, Drake and Heathkit did not use the 7360 or other beam deflection tubes.
You can read more on Balanced Modulator tubes for SSB HERE
I bought a NOS tested, 6JH8 for $3 which arrived yesterday. My balanced modulator go to circuit is the same as the 7360 circuit as used in the Swan Monoband SSB circuits. I have seen 45 dB of carrier suppression using the 6JH8.
Them that know can make things go.
A big thank you to those who responded to my quest for 9 pin tube sockets.
73's
Pete N6QW