Home  Resources  References  Tubes  Forums  Links  Support 
Sonora Model A-32
1/3/2001 5:21:44 PMTracy
I recently acquired this radio and have now found out the tubes would be very rare to find (DE-1, RA-1, SO-1)
Are there any tube substitutions that could be used in place of these? I have been told the filament voltage is higher on these tubes. Is that correct? Thanks for any information that can be given.
1/3/2001 6:08:06 PMNorm Leal
Hi Tracy

There are no substitutes except other Arcturas tubes, 28, which are also very rare. The tubes have a 15 volt filament.

What tubes are you missing? You could make substitutes by using 12J5, 1626 or similar 12 volt triodes. I have removed the glass from these tubes and added a 4 pin base along with a little resistance in the filament line.

Norm

: I recently acquired this radio and have now found out the tubes would be very rare to find (DE-1, RA-1, SO-1)
: Are there any tube substitutions that could be used in place of these? I have been told the filament voltage is higher on these tubes. Is that correct? Thanks for any information that can be given.

1/3/2001 10:00:49 PMEd Kraushar
Hi Norm,

When you rebase or adapt a triode such as the 12J5 to replace a 4 pin tube, what do you do with the cathode connection?

Ed.


: Hi Tracy

: There are no substitutes except other Arcturas tubes, 28, which are also very rare. The tubes have a 15 volt filament.

: What tubes are you missing? You could make substitutes by using 12J5, 1626 or similar 12 volt triodes. I have removed the glass from these tubes and added a 4 pin base along with a little resistance in the filament line.

1/3/2001 10:30:35 PMNorm Leal
Hi Ed

The cathode is tied to one of the filament pins. The same as in Arcturas tubes. If you want to build some I can check and let you know which filament pin.

Norn

: Hi Norm,

: When you rebase or adapt a triode such as the 12J5 to replace a 4 pin tube, what do you do with the cathode connection?

: Ed.

:
: : Hi Tracy

: : There are no substitutes except other Arcturas tubes, 28, which are also very rare. The tubes have a 15 volt filament.

: : What tubes are you missing? You could make substitutes by using 12J5, 1626 or similar 12 volt triodes. I have removed the glass from these tubes and added a 4 pin base along with a little resistance in the filament line.



© 1989-2025, Nostalgia Air