# 6AK5

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6AK5
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{{Multiple issues|
{{Notability|1=Products|date=August 2023}}
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{{Infobox vacuum tube
|image   = 6AK5 vacuum tubes.JPG
|caption = 6AK5 vacuum tubes, from left to right: EF95 by Phillips, 6AK5 by NEC, 6Zh1P USSR (Novosibirsk), 6Zh1P USSR (Svetlana)
|classification = Pentode                 <!-- Mandatory -->
|service =  VHF RF amplifier

|height_in =  1+3/4                        <!-- inches -->
|diameter_in = 3/4                       <!-- inches -->

<!-- Cathode -->
|cathode_type = Unipotential                   <!-- Mandatory -->
|heater_voltage = 6.3 V
|heater_current = 175 mA

<!-- Anode -->
|max_dissipation = 1.7 W
|max_voltage = 180 V

<!-- Socket Connections -->
|pinout =   B7G

}}

The '''6AK5''' [vacuum tube](/source/vacuum_tube) is a miniature 7-pin sharp-cutoff [pentode](/source/pentode) used as [RF](/source/Radio_frequency) or [IF](/source/Intermediate_frequency) [amplifier](/source/amplifier) especially in high-frequency wide-band applications at frequencies up to 400 [MHz](/source/MHz).

It was developed by [Bell Labs](/source/Bell_Labs) / Western Electric and used extensively as an I.F. amplifier in World War II radar systems.  The tube is notable for its extremely fine grid, and extremely close control grid to cathode spacing, yielding excellent high-frequency performance.

It is also known as '''EF95''' under its [Mullard–Phillips](/source/Mullard%E2%80%93Philips_tube_designation) designation and was produced in the former [Soviet Union](/source/Soviet_Union) as type '''6Zh1P''' (Russian: '''6Ж1П''') under the [Russian designation](/source/Russian_tube_designations) system.

A version of this tube with extended ratings was designated '''6AK5W''' and '''6Zh1P-EV''' (Russian: '''6Ж1П-ЕВ''') respectively.

Even though primarily intended for VHF amplification, the tube has found some use in [audio](/source/Sound_recording_and_reproduction) applications as a [microphone](/source/microphone) preamplifier, for instance in the [LOMO](/source/LOMO) 19A9 microphone, headphone amplifiers such as the Little Dot MKIII, and in [guitar](/source/guitar) effects [stompboxes](/source/Effects_pedal), such as [Metasonix](/source/Metasonix) TM-7 Scrotum Smasher.{{Citation needed|date=December 2014}}

The 6AK5 was used in some types of [radiosonde](/source/radiosonde) (weather balloon  payloads), in the 1960s and 70s. Because of the non-recoverable nature of the equipment, the single 6AK5 was soldered directly to the printed circuit board and served as the only active device in the circuit, performing the function of a low frequency modulation oscillator and the high frequency carrier oscillator and output stage.

== See also ==
* [List of vacuum tubes](/source/List_of_vacuum_tubes)

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
*Data sheets:
:*Standard version - [https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/049/6/6AK5.pdf 6AK5]/[https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/129/e/EF95.pdf EF95]
:*Premium version - [https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/087/5/5654.pdf 6AK5W/5654/6096]
:*PCB version - [https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/201/7/7430.pdf 7430]
*[http://www.r-type.org/exhib/aaa0122.htm 6AK5 at the National Valve Museum]
* http://www3.alcatel-lucent.com/bstj/vol25-1946/articles/bstj25-3-385.pdf{{Dead link|date=September 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*[https://tubemaze.info/tag/6ak5-5854/ Reviews of 6ak5 tubes.]

Category:Vacuum tubes

{{electronics-stub}}

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [6AK5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6AK5) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6AK5?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.