This SP4 is of similar age and appearance to the SD20 but it is a screened pentode rather than a screen-grid tetrode and therefore has a more modern type of electrode assembly.

Mullard describe the SP4 as an indirectly heated HF pentode for use as a speech detector, or RF amplifier, in AC mains receivers. The heating time is given as 35 seconds.

Equally important is its relatively thick heater (1 Amp rating) and improved heater-cathode insulation. Moreover, unlike the SG20, the heater-cathode insulation would never need to withstand high voltage.

These differences made the SP4 a much more successful valve which was marketed in 5-pin SP4 or 7-pin base versions and is a relatively common valve in collections. Apart from its ungainly size, the main weakness of the SP4 was that it was unsuitable for AGC applications and therefore had no place in the 'modern' type of superhet which became the norm from the mid-1930s onwards, using the variable-mu pentode for RF and IF amplification.

The balloon envelope is 47 mm in diameter and, excluding the B5 base pins, is 130 mm tall.

 
Pin Connections

B7	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	tc
	h	k	g2	m	g1	g3	h	a

 
Absolute Maximum Operating Conditions

Pentode	Vh	Ah	Va	Vs	Vg	mAa	mAs	ra	gm
	4.0	1.0	200	100	-2	3.0	1.1	2.2M	2.3

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This exhibit was last updated on 21 July 2005