[R-390] TV-10 tube testing questions

[Flowertime01 at wmconnect.com]

Frank,

Most tube testers just set the tube up as a triode.
All the extra grids get tied to cathode or plate as needed.

The set up grid bias is then selected to get the tube to give a mid scale 
meter reading about the go no go line.

A small change in the grid bias setting will let you have a pass or fail on 
any tube that is not shorted or near dead.

Tube testers give you no clue to gas or noise conditions.

JAN mil tubes mostly have less noise than the commercial tubes of the same 
type.

JAN tubes are more rugged and thus mostly produce less mechanical noise.

I have been told that JAN tubes have a better vacuum and inert gas fill thus 
less noise.

Do not loose your tube tester. It does what it does very well. You need it 
when you need it. It just is not the begin all and end all of every thing. It is 
just one more test instrument on your bench.

Roger AI4NI