[TCML] thyratrons

[jimlux]

eric goodchild wrote:
> Umm.. DRSSTCs are more effective than SGTC at making longer sparks. Also
> DRSSTCs in general out perform SGTCs.

"out perform" in what sense.. I'll go for meters of spark vs power input 
for the DRSSTC, particularly in the under 10kW power input category. 
But when it comes to really big coils, SG is more practical (although 
Greg Leyh is working the solid state end on big coils).  I haven't seen 
any SSTCs of any kind making 50 foot sparks, for instance.


> 
> As for modulating the break rate on a SGTC you would need a lot of high
> power silicon, and at that point you may as well just build a DRSSTC.

Not really.. for amplitude modulation (which for music, is on a few Hz 
sort of bandwidth), you could modulate the primary of the power supply 
using conventional SCRs.

For frequency, you can use a triggered spark gap, or a rotary with a 
variable speed drive.  If they can do it with a Hammond Organ, you can 
do it with a RSG.

It all comes down to what "modulation" means...