Is BBY40 a good substitute for MV209 in this RF receiver?

Question

VD1, indicated by the red circle in this is a varactor diode and the suggestion given for the varactor diode in this manual is MV209. It seems to be outdated and so are many other components. How do I find good substitutes? Why is a varactor diode used here instead of a trimmer cap?

Answer 1

Yes. BBY40 looks pretty close. It's within spitting distance of the same capacitance at 3v and 25v, so go for it. It has the same max reverse voltage, so if the circuit doesn't damage the 209, it won't damage the BBY40. It has better leakage, and a specified series resistance, so as good or better all round.

Why a varactor rather than a trimmercap ? You can adjust it with the covers on, or remotely, without needing a screwdriver, or even automatically in an AFC loop. You could mount the voltage control pot on the front panel, and there's your tuning knob, with none of the pulleys and strings that you had in the old radios. It's smaller, cheaper, and more robust, so will survive washing.