A new uhf/vhf silicon transistor for the consumer market

Within the past year, transistors have been used in increasing numbers in the oscillator stages of uhf television tuners. This application not only represents the introduction of the first transistors in television receivers; it also indicates that transistors capable of good uhf and vhf performance can be mass-produced at consumer prices. Both germanium and silicon devices which are suitable for use in the oscillator function are now commercially available. The question arises as to the relative merits of amplifier versions of these devices for uhf and vhf amplifier service. Until recently, silicon transistors had not been considered for use in rf amplifier stages in consumer applications because of high noise figures or high cost, the former not being particularly significant in oscillator service. (Although silicon n-p-n uhf low-noise amplifiers have been available for some time, their use in consumer products has been restricted by their high cost.) This paper describes a new n-p-n silicon uhf-vhf transistor, RCA Dev. No. TA2503, having electrical characteristics tailored for consumer amplifier applications at frequencies up to 900 megacycles. Gain and noise through the useful frequency range are discussed, and relative performance is given for various vhf and uhf applications.