Here’s an interesting find; A trade magazine advertisement for RCA-866A rectifier tubes printed in a 1956 edition of “Broadcasting Magazine.”
When WISL was built, the entire operation, from studio to transmitter, was outfitted with RCA equipment. RCA was one of the leading manufacturers of radio and broadcasting equipment from the earliest days of broadcasting through the 1970s.
WISL was a happy customer and this sentiment is reflected in a testimonial provided by Chief Engineer Ray Willard on the dependability of RCA’s rectifier tubes.
Mr. Willard wrote;
“I thought you might be interested in the report of two RCA-866A mercury-vapor rectifiers we have been operating at WISL. They have already recorded 20,500 hours of continuous service and are still going strong… not a record, perhaps, for this type tube… but at any rate, the practicability of purchasing dependable RCA tubes is obvious.”
