[Hallicrafters] OT: Fender, Joe Walsh and me.

[Craig Roberts]

Okay, here's the on-topic Hallicrafters bit:  CAUTION:  be careful when 
replacing tubes with new Russian (or Chinese) types in your Hallicrafters.

Here's a "fer-instance": In an effort to equip my lovingly restored 
SX-42 with a matched pair of new 6V6 audio amps (even though I knew this 
was silly and unnecessary), I ordered a set of  Fender branded tubes 
from an online audio shop.  The backordered items showed up about three 
months later (inexplicably, via Federal Express overnight service).  
Upon their belated arrival, I eagerly pulled the old, mismatched metal 
tubes from my radio and replaced them with the shiny new glass globes.  
The Fenders glowed appropriately and prettily and sounded just fine. 
(Truthfully, they sounded exactly like the old tubes) and all was well.

Well, all was well for about two hours. Then, one Fender failed.  A 
couple of hours later, the other one went dim. 

It seems that the Fender branded tubes are actually Electro-Harmonix 
valves from Russia.  They're nicely made, certainly, but MAY be fragile 
when compared with vintage American tubes. My receiver is in perfect 
working order with factory specified voltages appearing at all points, 
so I can only conclude that the new tubes were at fault.  Now, it's 
possible that I got a pair of "lemons", or it could be that the new 
tubes simply aren't rated for the type of service the old ones were.  At 
any rate, I'd like to hear from anyone who's had experience with newer 
Eastern tubes in older Western gear.

Now -- my off-topic topic.  I'm a big fan of James Millen and his 
designs.  When I first moved to the Boston area years ago, I actually 
made a pilgrimage to Malden, Mass. to walked the streets that Mr. Millen 
did. (I'm perfectly sane, otherwise).

A couple of days ago, a rare and wonderful Millen linear amp appeared on 
an unnamed auction site.  Dreaming of finally being able to assemble a 
genuine James Millen-based AM transmitter, I submitted a bid.  I 
honestly didn't expect much competition, because -- after all -- how 
many guys even know that Millen ever made a linear? 

Well, our friend Joe Walsh does!  Now, I could sell my car and perhaps 
outbid him, but...  Well, hey, I love the guy's music and admire his 
up-front promotion of ham radio, so I guess I'll keep my automobile and 
let Joe have the amp.  I'm a little disappointed but must admit that 
it's kinda cool to have this little brush with greatness -- as tenuous 
as it is.

73,

Craig
W3CRR