[sdiy] linear schottky TTL operation

[anthony]

Is it possible to use schottky based TTL gates in the linear mode? I figured 
since the transistors don't saturate that they could. I guess a better point 
to ponder is would there ever be a reason to want to? I was thinking about 
using the 74LS121 that I have for a pulse/ramp generator but I wouldn't need 
to run this in linear mode to do that at all. Using dual monostables seems 
like a cool way to do this too. I was also thinking about the 74LS06 and 
74LS19 - used as oscillators they wouldn't need to be run in linear mode 
either (well definitely with the '06 but I suppose its having open 
collectors makes it special). And that led me to wonder about using NAND 
gates or inverters in something like the Wasp filter?

Having bucketloads of old TTL gates makes you think about stuff you wouldn't 
normally think about. And heck what have I got to lose? I don't care if I 
blow out a few chips. I think I'll whip something together that I think 
/shouldn't/ work in both schottky and non (I think I have some ceramic 
'04s). I'll check it out on the 'scope. Sometimes I wonder if I spend too 
much time thinking about things this way... but nah...