FxlQvire wrote: On rec.radio.amateur.boatanchors

I recently found this pair @ a very nice price ($45 at a garage sale) and
threw it in the car more on the upcoming hernia operation later. I
checked the tubes in the receiver (all good) and found that the caps had
been replaced in the not too distant past. So I hooked it up and began to
bring it up on a variac. No smoke, no fires..but no sound other than
scratchiness when I turned the volume. Haven't had much time for
troubleshooting but I did open the power supply. Seems all
original..removed the tubes and checked 'em. They check fine on my cheap
tester (Heathkit IT-17). Found some info on the net about this unit. The
RA-84-A callls for a Jan 5Z3 and a Jan 80 tube. I've got a 5Y3WGTA in the
5Z3 socket and a 5U4GB in the other. Is there a reason why someone would
swap these tubes out?? Other than the fact that they didn't have the
proper ones, of course. From the limited info I've found on the net, these
tubes don't seem to be interchangable.
Anyone able to point me in a direction that might help?? Would the present
tubes prohibit the radio from coming to life? Could the previous owner
have altered the PS so as to use these tubes?? And if so, what should I
look for in the way of alterations. It looks to be untouched, but I
haven't compared everything to a schematic--just ordered a manual today.
I'm pretty new at this and any help would be great!!

There is a way that octal tube sockets can be strapped so that
virtually any of the octal 5 volt rectifiers will work. But the
reference to a type 80 suggests a four pin, not an octal socket
tube. So has someone modified it and then someone else plugged in
wrong tubes?
If you need the base pin connections for any of the types you
refer to post here and myself/someone can provide.
However before changing anything I would suggest trace the wiring
of two rectifier sockets from the power transformer and from the
tube socket to the filter choke and filter capacitors. Make a
note of the colour if any of the leads from the power transformer
and see if they make sense with type 5Y3 and 5U4 base
connections. Post again; people here usually willing to help.
There may be others who are familiar with this type of receiver.
Terry.