The Racal RA17/117 series of valve/tube H.F. receivers evolved
considerably over its long production lifetime. More than 70
versions were produced. Not all versions, even of the same model,
used the same valve complement. In some cases substitution of
a valve from one set to another can cause damage to the valve
and the receiver - see warning.
The tables below give the 'official' valve designations either
from Racal or from British Military (NATO) manuals. 'NA' indicates
a North American Model. Where the model designation is an active
link, it leads to a table of equivalents.
|
Valve Number |
Function | RA17 Mk2 | RA17L | RA17L NA |
| 1 | Crystal Oscillator | CV138 | CV138 | 6AU6 |
| 2 | Harmonic Generator | CV138 | CV138 | 6AU6 |
| 3 | R.F. Amplifier | CV3998 | CV5331 | 6ES8 |
| 4 | Harmonic Mixer | CV2209 | CV2209 | 6AS6 |
| 5 | First V.F.O. | CV138 | CV138 | 6AU6 |
| 6 | 37.5 Mc/c Amplifier | CV138 | CV138 | 6AU6 |
| 7 | First Mixer | CV3998 | CV3998 | 6688 |
| 8 | 37.5 Mc/s Amplifier | CV138 | CV138 | 6AU6 |
| 9 | Second Mixer | CV3998 | CV3998 | 6688 |
| 10 | 37.5 Mc/s Amplifier | CV138 | CV138 | 6AU6 |
| 11 | Third Mixer | CV453 | CV4012 | 6BE6 |
| 12 | Second V.F.O. | CV138 | CV138 | 6AU6 |
| 13 | Divider/Mixer | CV453 | CV4012 | 6BE6 |
| 14 | First I.F. Amplifier | CV454 | CV454 | 6BA6 |
| 15 | Multiplier | CV454 | CV454 | 6BA6 |
| 16 | Second I.F. Amplifier | CV454 | CV454 | 6BA6 |
| 17 | I.F. Output | CV454 | CV454 | 6BA6 |
| 18 | A.V.C. and T.C. | CV140 | CV140 | 6AL5 |
| 19 | B.F.O. | CV138 | CV138 | 6AU6 |
| 20 | Power Rectifier | CV378 | CV1377 | _ |
| 21 | Detector and Noise Limiter | CV140 | CV140 | 6AL5 |
| 22 | A.F. Outputs (Local) | CV138 | CV138 | 6AQ5 |
| 23 | A.F. Output (Remote) | CV138 | CV138 | 12AT7 |
| 24 | Clamping Diode | _ | CV469 | _ |
|
Valve Number |
Function | RA117 | RA117 NA |
| 1 | Crystal Oscillator/Amplifier | CV4010 | 6AK5W |
| 2 | Harmonic Generator | CV4010 | 6AK5W |
| 3 | R.F. Amplifier | CV5531 | 6ES8 |
| 4 | Harmonic Mixer | CV4011 | 6AS6 |
| 5 | First V.F.O. | CV4009 | 6BA6 |
| 6 | 37.5 Mc/c Amplifier | CV4009 | 6BA6 |
| 7 | First Mixer | CV3998 | 6688 |
| 8 | 37.5 Mc/s Amplifier | CV4009 | 6BA6 |
| 9 | Second Mixer | CV3998 | 6688 |
| 10 | 37.5 Mc/s Amplifier | CV4009 | 6BA6 |
| 11 | Second V.F.O. Amplifier | CV4010 | 6AK5W |
| 12 | Second V.F.O. | CV4024 | 12AT7 |
| 13 | Calibrator | CV4012 | 6BE6W |
| 14 | First I.F. Amplifier | CV4009 | 6BA6 |
| 15 | Calibrator | CV4009 | 6BA6 |
| 16 | Second I.F. Amplifier | CV4009 | 6BA6 |
| 17 | I.F. Output | CV4009 | 6BA6 |
| 18 | A.V.C. and T.C. | CV4007 | 6AL5 |
| 19 | B.F.O. | CV4010 | 6AK5W |
| 20 | none | _ | _ |
| 21 | Detector and Noise Limiter | CV4007 | 6AL5 |
| 22 | A.F. Output | CV4019 | 6AQ5 |
| 23 | A.F. Amplifier and Output | CV4024 | 12AT7 |
| 24 | Clamping Diode | CV469 | 5704 |
| 25 | Third Mixer | CV3998 | 6688 |
| 26 | Fourth Mixer | CV4012 | 6BE6W |
| 27 | 1.7 Mc/s Crystal Oscillator and Amplifier | CV4010 | 6AK5W |