REPLACING 6LF6'S

[Stellasstillarat]

When amp tubes need to be replaced 6lf6's ect. ect.. Do thay need to be of the same brand? Can thay be mixed and matched? Assuming thay all test 80-100% does it matter which company made them or if there used or nos? I'm lucky that my 300a's output is at the rated power. Output is as it stated in the manual. Im assuming this means the tube are of a good to high %age. Curiositys got me.

 

[wavrider]

you can mix an match on an old cb amp no issues.

6LF6 are expensive.

 

[Stellasstillarat]

Wow! You ain't kidding! 8950's / 6lf6's and so on.I remember going to a ham fest in 1983 and seeing thoses tubes available for $8-$15.

you can mix an match on an old cb amp no issues.

6LF6 are expensive.

 

[Atlasta]

You can mix them but I try not to. Some tubes are more robust than others.While they may be electrically identical different tubes makers had different construction techniques. Different brands of tubes can be physically different- be taller, or wider than others. This can be a concern if space is a premium, particularly overhead space. Don't want that cathode cap touching the top of the case now!

As far as rated power- take that with a grain of salt. Just because it says K-500, or 650, or whatever on the front doesn't necessarily mean it will produce that. Figure on the number being INPUT power- somewhere on this forum is a great thread that explains that in detail.