3A74

Manuals – Specifications – Links – Pictures

The Tektronix Type 3A74 is a four-channel vertical plug-in introduced in 1963 for 560-series scopes. The bandwidth is DC to 2 MHz.

A modified 3A74 MOD 730A (with a charge pre-amplifier on channel 1 to accommodate piezoelectric pressure transducers) was part of the Engine Analyzer package.

Key Specifications

Bandwidth	2 MHz
Input impedance	1 MΩ // 47 pF
Deflection	20 mV/Div to 10 V/Div in 1–2–5 sequence
Features	Invert switch per channel

Internals

Each input signal passes through switchable input attenuators and then into a cathode-follower made from a 7586 Nuvistor triode driving a PNP differential amplifier. The output of this differential amplifier, for each of the four channels, passes through a diode-based analog signal switching network (multiplexer). The output of that multiplexer drives the output amplifier, which is part transistor, part tube. The one-hot select line signals for the multiplexer are generated by a transistor-based ring oscillator, a four-state cyclic state machine. This allows each of the input signals to be traced on the screen, one after another.

The 3A74 uses Tek-made 185 Ω potentiometers in for the VAR GAIN controls. These can be a maintenance issue.

The 3A74 contains a total of eight 7586 Nuvistors.

Links

• Tek 3A74 @ amplifier.cd
• Tek 3A74 @ barrytech.com
• Tek 3A74 @ radiomuseum.org

Pictures

US-made Version

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  Front Side

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  Rear Side

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  Left Side

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  Right Side

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  Block Diagram

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  Channel Switching

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  Amplifier

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  VAR GAIN potentiometer, sometimes problematic

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  3A74 Engine Analyzer Amplifier

Netherlands-made Version

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