[Milsurplus] TBX Receiver plug

[Ray Fantini]

Depending on the set, some had Radium markings on the meter's faces. Radium under glass is ok as long as you do not attempt to open the meters or break the glass. I do not remember if any of the series had radium markings on the front panel like the Navy TBY, but do not think so. The TBY was a really good source for checking Giger counters because on those sets you would start getting readings several feet away.
I am no expert and cannot offer any advice on radiation but suspect that Radium is only an Alpha emitter and as long as it's contained it safe to have around with the biggest threat being inhaling or ingesting it, remember that Radon gas is a byproduct of the decay of Radium, or so I think. And although it won't glow in the dark today that Radium has a half-life of fourteen hundred years, so it sticks around for a long time. In the fifties or sixties think they replaced Radium with Tritium Oxide or something like that, and that has a half-life of only sixty years. Don't know but have seen a lot of the meters on R-390A receivers that have radioactive warning stickers that I can barely get a reading from with many of the older sets having meters that still read about maybe half what those old WW2 meters crank out. Suspect that may have something to do with the decay rate?

The Radium would not keep me from using the radio as long as you are mindful, but you have to make that call yourself. As I say, I am no expert. You do have a great example of a prewar design receiver - transmitter that is for a QRP CW or AM set that's hard to beat. I am so inspired by what you're doing that I am going to pull my TBX out and start doing a power supply and get running for Hamvention this upcoming.

May be convinced to slide you a power plug, just now I have to come up with the transmitter plug for my radio.

Ray F/KA3EKH


________________________________
From: Ken Kinderman <scr274 at gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2026 7:09 PM
To: Ray Fantini <RAFANTINI at salisbury.edu>
Cc: Military Surplus net List <milsurplus at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] TBX Receiver plug

Mine is a TBX-5, so I am assuming radium dials.

Still need the 8 pin RX plug.

What should I do with the -5? My only options are a) to pass it on/sell at some point or b) take it to the local hazardous waste facility.

It’s very clean and it has the TBX-8 crystal oscillator that clamps to the side. No other accessories.

Undecided.

Ken
W2EWL



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