The Racal RA17L uses 23 or 24 valves of 8 or 9 different types. They use the B7G base, except where noted.
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, whilst similar
in function, have a different pin-out. Inserting the valve from
the other set will almost certainly result in destruction of
the valve and may 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.
| 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.