[R-390] Alternative to IERC tube shields

[rbethman]

I procured at least a couple complete sets of replacements, including 
3TF7s and 26Z5Ws around 2002.

The seller was asking around $40 a set back then.  He threw in some #47 
bulbs and some 12VDC auto bulbs that fit the dash of about 1997 vintage 
American automobiles.

I have one of the Western Electric, (Made by Hickok - Mdl 6XXX series), 
tube testers.  It performs the conductance testing along with checks for 
gassy and shorts.  It was an Item I obtained from a former AT&T 
employee.  He really had no use for it any longer.

Bob - N0DGN

Shoppa, Tim wrote:
>> Of course in the days of endless supply depots and every Allied Electronics,
>> Radio Shack or corner drug-store with a tube tester (and a supply) is long
>> gone. Other than very questionable Russian or Chinese new(er) manufactured
>> lots we are stuck trying to glean good tubes out of an ever diminishing
>> reserve.
>>     
>
> Other than say 3TF7's and 26Z5W's and 6082's, I don't see any
> shortage of 390/390A tubes. And 3TF7's and 26Z5W's are still
> readily available (meaning hand over the bucks) if you
> really want them. Most of the 390 and 390A
> tubes are in such easy supply because of vast quantities of JAN
> tubes liquidated from military stocks.
>
> After I got my 390A's, I went out on tube buying sprees snapping up
> cartons at hamfests and online; I carried around a "going price" list in
> my pocket and made tally marks as I acquired them at lower and lower
> and lower prices. I got a lot of tubes for not too many bucks.
>
> I compare the price of tubes today from any of the online distributors
> to prices I paid in my hometown 30 years ago, and my conclusion is
> that I paid way way too much for tubes back then :-(. I mean, I remember
> needing 0A2's and 6CL6's and 6AU6's and 6146A's for my Heath radios, and paying
> an hour or two's worth of my puny wages for each. I compare it to today
> where a couple minutes of my wages will buy any of them.
>
> Tim.
>