What is GU32 Vacuum Tube?
The GU32 tube is a twin power beam tetrode, a robust and versatile vintage vacuum tube originally developed for high-frequency amplification, particularly in military radio equipment. Its unique design, featuring two tetrode sections within a single envelope, made it highly efficient for push-pull output stages in transmitters and receivers. This capability also led to its adoption in audio amplifier designs, where enthusiasts value its strong, clear sound and reliable performance. Information regarding the GU32 tube data highlights its suitability for both RF and audio applications.
Historically, the GU32 tube played a significant role in various electronic systems due to its ability to handle considerable power with good linearity. While its primary function was often related to radio transmission, its adaptable characteristics allowed for its use in a range of general-purpose amplification circuits. For those seeking alternatives or replacements, popular equivalents to the GU32 include the 832, 832A, FU-32, Ry32, GY-32, and VT286, all sharing similar electrical characteristics and pinouts, making them suitable for historical restorations or new builds where the GU32 tube is specified.
What Are the Popular Equivalents of the GU32 Tube?
- The GU32 and 832 are twin beam tetrodes with nearly identical electrical characteristics and pinouts, making them interchangeable in RF and transmitter circuits with minimal adjustments.
- The 832A is an improved version of the 832 and is fully compatible with the GU32, offering similar performance and operating conditions while being widely used as a substitute.
- The FU-32 is a Chinese-made equivalent of the GU32, designed as a direct replacement with matching specifications and pin configuration, often used as a reliable modern alternative.
- Ry32 is a German designation for a tube equivalent to the GU32, offering the same pinout and characteristics, making it a suitable replacement in circuits originally designed for the GU32.
- The VT286 is the US military designation for a tube equivalent to the GU32, providing identical electrical properties and ensuring compatibility across equipment using this tube type.
What Are the Pinouts of the GU32 Tube?
The GU32, also known by equivalents such as 832 and 832A, is a twin power beam tetrode commonly employed in RF applications and audio amplifiers. Understanding its pinout is essential for proper circuit integration and optimal performance. This tube typically utilizes an Octal base with specific pin assignments for its dual sections:
- Pin 1: No Connection
- Pin 2: Heater
- Pin 3: Cathode (for both sections)
- Pin 4: Control Grid for Section 1
- Pin 5: Plate (Anode) for Section 1
- Pin 6: Screen Grid for both sections (internally connected)
- Pin 7: Plate (Anode) for Section 2
- Pin 8: Control Grid for Section 2
- Pin 9: Heater
What is the average price of GU32 tube?
The average market price for the GU32 tube varies depending on its condition and origin. This twin power beam tetrode is often sought after for its performance in various applications.
- NOS (New Old Stock) GU32 Tube: $30 – $60 USD per tube
- Used GU32 Tube: $15 – $40 USD per tube (depending on remaining life and matched sets)
What Is the Datasheet for the GU32 Tube?
| Parameter | Value |
| Heater Voltage | 6.3 V |
| Heater Current | 0.8 A |
| Pin Count | 9 |
| Max Plate Voltage | 300 V |
| Max Plate Dissipation | 10 W (per section) |
| Amplification Factor | Approx. 70 |
| Base Type | Octal (UX8) |
| Typical Use | RF amplification, Audio output stages |
Which factories produced the GU32 tube?
The GU32 power beam tetrode was manufactured at key Soviet-era factories:
- Ulyanovsk Radio Tubes Plant — Ulyanovsk, Russia
- Svetlana — St. Petersburg, Russia
- Reflector — Saratov, Russia
- Novosibirsk Electrovacuum Plant (NEVZ) — Novosibirsk, Russia
What Are The Best GU32 Tubes?
Ulyanovsk Radio Tubes Plant is considered the most popular and reputable manufacturer of the GU32 tube.
