Counterfeit RF transistors have been a problem for years, and the classic 2SC1969 final is one of the most commonly faked parts on the market. In this article, I’ll walk through a real-world comparison between commonly sold “Mitsubishi” clones and the newer HG 2SC1969 replacements—and why testing matters more than labels.
Like many techs, I’ve purchased 2SC1969 transistors from online marketplaces that were clearly marked as Mitsubishi. They often work—at least at first—which makes the problem harder to spot.
But markings don’t make a transistor genuine. Performance, bias behavior, and internal structure tell the real story.
Using a standard transistor tester, both devices appear normal at first glance:
This is where many people stop testing—and that’s the mistake. A basic tester can confirm polarity and junctions, but it does not tell you how the device behaves under RF load.
When testing the HG 2SC1969, something stood out immediately. The tester detected a diode-like junction between internal elements that was not present in the common clone.
That difference alone doesn’t condemn the clone—but it’s an early hint that these parts are not built the same internally.
Bench tests only go so far. The real test is how a transistor performs in-circuit.
Using a Cobra 2000, I performed a straight swap:
Same radio. Same circuit. Same conditions. The only change was the transistor.
One of the biggest red flags with counterfeit RF finals is improper bias behavior. If you can’t properly set bias, you’re not working with a correct RF device—no matter what the label says.
In this case, the clone would transmit power but refused to behave correctly during bias adjustment. The HG device behaved exactly as expected.
Installing counterfeit finals can lead to:
You end up chasing problems that aren’t really there—all because the part itself is wrong.
Not all replacement RF transistors are created equal. While some clones may “work,” they don’t perform like the real thing—and that matters in RF stages.
If you’re repairing radios that originally used the 2SC1969, the HG 2SC1969 is currently the closest true replacement I’ve tested.
Spend a few extra dollars. Save yourself hours of troubleshooting.
As always, this is real-world testing—not theory, not hype, and no affiliations. If you have questions, I’m happy to help.