Valve Equivalents for the RA17L British Version

The Racal RA17L uses 23 or 24 valves of 8 or 9 different types. They use the B7G base, except where noted.

• 10 CV138 high slope RF pentodes, V1, V2, V5, V6, V8, V10, V12, V19, V22, V23,
• 4 CV454 vari-mu RF pentodes, V14 - V17,
• 2 CV3998 pentodes, B9A base,V7, V9,
• 2 CV4012 Heptode frequency changers, V11, V13,
• 2 CV140 double diodes, V18, V21,
• 1 CV5331 double triode, B9A base,V3,
• 1 CV1377 rectifier, Octal base,V20,
• 1 CV2209 dual control pentode, V4,
• 1 CV469 diode (early models only), wire ended sub-miniature, V24.

WARNING

There are two distinct models of RA17L, the British Military version, which uses CV numbered valves and the North American model, which uses U.S. commercial valves. The valve sets for these two models are different. Several valves, while similar in function, have a different pin-out. Inserting the valve from the other could result in destruction of the valve and might cause damage to other components.  In particular, many substitution guides give 6AS6 or its variants as equivalents for the S6F33 (special 6F33 - V4). In fact the connections to G2 and G3 are reversed and the connections to the base must be changed to do this substitution.
Where U.S. numbered equivalents are shown for CV valves below, they may be safely substituted in British versions.

Valve Equivalents

Complement	Type	Racal Original Equipment	Racal Substitutes	Other CV equivalents	Pro- Electron	EIA	Industrial	Mullard	Other Manufs
10	High slope RF pentode	CV138	CV4014*	-	EF91	6AM6	-	M8083*	-
2	Dual diode	CV140	CV4025*	-	EB91	6AL5	6058*	M8079*	-
4	Vari-mu RF pentode	CV454	CV4009*	-	EF93	6BA6	-	-	-
1	Wire ended Diode	CV469	CV4504*	-	EA76	-	6489  7435*	-	-
1	Full wave I.H. rectifier	CV1377	-	CV378@	GZ34	5AR4	-	-	-
1	Dual control pentode	CV2209	CV4064*	-	-	-	-	-	S6F33*
2	RF pentode	CV3998*	-	-	E180F*	-	6688*	-	5A/170K EF861
2	Heptode frequency changer	CV4012*	-	CV453	EK90	6BE6 6BE6W*	5750	-	-
1	Dual triode	CV5331*	CV2298	-	ECC189	6ES6	-	-	-

* this is a special quality type
^@ this is not a direct substitute, but will work in an RA17L.



Andy Cowley 2002.