[R-390] maintenance

[Scott Bauer]

 I rotate my radios in order to keep the maintenance up on them, In the
winter, I run the R390's and summer I run the 390A's. As I was testing 
the R390
tubes, I noticed one radio that needed an incredible 22 tubes.  These 
were all
fine last year. The radio ran fine with all the bad ( really bad ) 
installed. Thats amazing.
I decided I had better get out my spare tester, a Heath TT1-A to verify 
the condition
of the tubes and my TV7 All 22 tubes were just totally dead.My thought 
is last year
 the tubes  still passed but were weak Then I ran them non stop all this 
winter.
 I think from now on, I will keep better notes. I do put a sticker on 
the back
of each radio to keep track of when the tubes were tested.
 
 I just thought I would mention this to anybody that wondered how often to
check tubes. My radios are most always on unless it is stormy and the tubes
did not last as long as others claim. Could it be the tubes are slowly 
dieing
even if not in use? 40 years of sitting on a shelf before use. Could all 
the magic
ether be leaking out?

 SCott