[R-390] 6aJ5 Substitute

[Shoppa, Tim]

6AK5's are same base and in my experience work just fine.

In a pinch most of the pentodes can be swapped around and you'll still have a working radio. I once just randomly started swapping the pentodes around between oscillators, IF deck, and RF deck, and while the AGC characteristics were messed up if I played around with multiple tubes in the IF deck, the radio still worked. Most of the 7-pin RF-type pentodes have identical or similar pinouts.

6AJ5's are in stock at all the major suppliers (Antique Electronics Supply, ESRC, etc) and cheaper than E-bay.

I don't think the military had zillions of mil-spec 6AJ5's stockpiled like they did the 6AK5. I'm not sure I've ever seen a JAN 6AJ5.

Tim.