[Hallicrafters] Tube Tester Recommendiations

[Vern Weiss]

Hello Ed,

     The tube tester(s) you are satisfied to own largely depend on what kind
of shop work you do. If you work on a lot of vintage 1950s/60s equipment, I
would recommend a later model solid state version such as the B&K tube
tester series. If you do a lot of early, early radios (Atwater Kent, Grunow
etc), I would recommend an older tube tester...vintage in say the 40s...such
as a Hickock. It is difficult to find aftermarket setup guides for tubes not
shown on the setup guide for your particular tester. For instance, on my
1970 model B&K I cannot test an old Type 45 tube, so I need my Hickock for
that tube. But the Hickock won't test a more modern 12BY7A; back to the B&K.
Having two testers nicely compliment each other. I also have a third tube
tester, a Weston, which I use primarily for Bitish/European "valves."  Most
American tube testers fall short in their capability for testing tubes used
in non-American manufactured radios.
     For a while I even owned an old drug store type tube tester complete
with its lit neon sign )"TEST YOUR TUBES HERE!). It was very unreliable and
essentially showed everything bad. But then again, does a doctor really,
really, truly want you to get better? If you do, how will he sell you more
office visits?
 I guess unreliable tube testers were pretty much the rule from what I have
read. Popular Electronics even ran a feature article on this in the 60s
saying they're made to sell tubes not test them.
     That's my 2 cents worth.
     Good luck!

     Vern Weiss, W9STB
     All Vintage - All CW in the Wisconsin Northwoods


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ed" <elh54 at sbcglobal.net>
To: <Hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2005 12:56 AM
Subject: [Hallicrafters] Tube Tester Recommendiations


> Could I have some models and things to look for in buying my first tube
> tester?
> Thanks,
> Ed-KV5I
>
>
>
> -- 
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
> Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.8.6 - Release Date: 2/7/2005
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Hallicrafters mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hallicrafters
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html
> Post: mailto:Hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net
> ----
> List Administrator: Duane Fischer, W8DBF **for assistance**
> dfischer at usol.com
> ----
> Hallicrafters Collectors International: http://www.w9wze.org
>