[R-390] Tube testers and other babblings

[scott]

Hi Scott,

Your B&K tester is a good middle quality mutual
conductance tester that should serve you well.  99 out of
100 of your NOS tubes will be OK.  Test them and if they all test strong
then don't worry about the testers
calibration.  Most testers I have come across, the calibration has been
pretty good.
You don't have to go crazy stocking up on tubes.  Everyone seems to think
that
these darn things burn out like mad when if fact if you put a fresh set in
they would last
for many many years running 24/7.  I have seen original tubes in 60 and 70
year old
radios that test just fine.
And yes you can mix and match brands, and yes a tube from the 1940's or even
1920's
can be just fine.

Scott
(the other Scott)




----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Bauer" <ody@radicus.net>
To: <r-390@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, August 17, 2002 9:43 PM
Subject: [R-390] Tube testers and other babblings


>
>   Hello Gang,
>
>   Most of you don't know me. I am new to the list.
>
>   I recently bought a very nice 390-A from a gentleman here on the list
and
> am completely
> hooked on the 390-A. I really love this radio. I then got on ebay and
> bought a ton of tubes.
> I then realized that I had no way of finding out the condition of the
tubes
> that I am buying
> as "NOS & NIB". So I bid on and won a B&K Dyna Jet tube tester. Now, after
> it is too
> late, I have a few questions. Please remember that I know practically
> nothing about tube
> gear and tubes. So with all of the babble out of the way, This is what I
> would like to know.
>
>   Is the B&K tester worthy and accurate ? If not, is there a certain
tester
> that would serve
> me better?
>
>   All of the tubes I have bought look new. Should I test them all? Does
> testing the tubes
> put wear on them?
>
>   Most of the tubes I bought are JAN tubes. Some are GE. I also got some
> 5814A's made by
> National Gold Line. Is it OK to use the National tubes if there are some
> JAN's or GE's
> already in the radio or does it matter if one would mix and match?
>
>   Lastly, some of the tubes that I bought are dated back to the 40's.
> Should I save these?
> It seems that they would be collectible.
>
>   Thanks for any advice.
>
>   Scott
>
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