Need help with tube ID.

[abmacomber]

I recieved this tube as a replacement for a GE tube from Terry. I can't find anything about the brand "WU". Can anyone help id this thing?? It says its made in the US

[planet10]

Does the tube have any manufacturer codes on it?

dave

[smoking-amp]

Western Union?

[abmacomber]

On the left side there was some writing but it has been rubbed off.

[kevinkr]

Originally Posted by smoking-amp

Western Union?

That would be my guess too as I have bought NOS tubes in the past that were branded as such, no longer recollect what the logo or box looked like however. (I'm assuming these would have been for such duties as retubing a teletypewriter and the like.)

[bst]

I've acquired tubes in their original boxes with this same logo, and they are indeed made for Western Union. Most types were used in telecommunications equipment, especially repeater amplifiers for telephone signals.

If it has a RETMA/EIA code (e.g. 312 for Sylvania, 185 for DuMont, etc.), you can identify the manufacturer. GE-made tubes usually have the type number faintly etched into the glass. You'll likely find that it's a high-grade tube, selected for low noise, low microphonics, and closely-matched sections.

Just like the hand-selected tubes which are rebranded 'Beckman' or 'Hewlett-Packard', you'll probably be pleasantly surprised at the performance of the W/U-branded components.