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Steve Johnson
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Post subject: Re: How many tube testers does one need? Posted: Mar Wed 07, 2018 11:14 pm |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 4453 Location: Elbridge NY, USA
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Use to have over 300 radios. Got bored. They all did the same thing. Down to about 20 or so now. Then switched to test equipment. Last count I had around 70-80 tube testers. Thinned those out so I'm probably down to 60 or so, at least 40 of them are Supreme. I have two tube testers that I actually use.
_________________ Steve Johnson https://stevenjohnson.com - Steve's Antique Technology
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xwarp
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Post subject: Re: How many tube testers does one need? Posted: Mar Thu 08, 2018 2:03 am |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 1063 Location: Tucson AZ
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3 so far currently:
Hickok 539B Heathkit TT-1A I-177 made by Munson.
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zarco
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Post subject: Re: How many tube testers does one need? Posted: Mar Thu 08, 2018 3:45 pm |
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Joined: Jan Mon 28, 2013 9:35 pm Posts: 1633 Location: Santa Rosa, CA
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Also had a large and varied collection of tube testers. Got rid of most but kept two TV-7D's and an EICO 667. The latter tests compactrons and later tubes. So far they have tested everything I've needed to except transmitting tubes. Steve
_________________ 'cell phones and the internet are tools, not a lifestyle'
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Dnitram
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Post subject: Re: How many tube testers does one need? Posted: Mar Thu 08, 2018 4:51 pm |
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Joined: Sep Wed 04, 2013 2:23 pm Posts: 964 Location: Canton, GA
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Somehow worked down to 2 TV-10D/U, a TV-7D/U and a 539C. That's 1 too many for me. The 539C is an amazing calibrated (Paul Hart) example, but though I ALWAYS wanted one, I've used it maybe 4 times in a year. Due to its size, I keep it away from the bench, covered up like a baby. I ought to sell it and BUY something else! 
_________________ Real Radios GLOW In The Dark Southeastern Antique Radio Society SARS 1991 www.sarsradio.com K4DLM
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Barry H Bennett
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Post subject: Re: How many tube testers does one need? Posted: Mar Thu 08, 2018 6:35 pm |
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Joined: Nov Wed 30, 2016 7:35 pm Posts: 8895 Location: Sunbury, Ohio 43074
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Hey Steve ..... got an extra Hickok TV-2 kicking around ???  any condition. Plugging a hole in the collection you know 
_________________ Preserving the hist. of electronics, one boat anchor at a time! :) https://www.bbtvtestequipment.com
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Steve Johnson
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Post subject: Re: How many tube testers does one need? Posted: Mar Fri 09, 2018 12:11 am |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 4453 Location: Elbridge NY, USA
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Barry H Bennett wrote: Hey Steve ..... got an extra Hickok TV-2 kicking around ???  any condition. Plugging a hole in the collection you know  Nope, no 2s. Got rid of a TV-7 and a TV-4 last year. Just have my 6000A left which I'm using.
_________________ Steve Johnson https://stevenjohnson.com - Steve's Antique Technology
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Mikeinkcmo
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Post subject: Re: How many tube testers does one need? Posted: Mar Fri 09, 2018 4:55 am |
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Joined: Oct Sun 15, 2006 12:57 pm Posts: 7439 Location: Liberty, Missouri
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For the last 50+ years my main tester has been a 533, for tubes post 1960 or so, and the rare compactron I run across, a Heath IT-17 emission tester my Father built in the 70s.
_________________ Pics, Bold & underlined text, are usually links.
https://mikeharrison.smugmug.com/
Mike
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rif1457
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Post subject: Re: How many tube testers does one need? Posted: Mar Fri 09, 2018 9:32 pm |
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Joined: Jan Mon 29, 2018 4:45 pm Posts: 19 Location: 22664
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I'll use either a Sylvania 139, or a B+K 747, depending on the tube being tested. I test CRT's with either a B+K 440, or an Amphenol # 885. The Amphenol also provides a gas test.
Just my two cents.
Pat
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Frank in Selkirk
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Post subject: Re: How many tube testers does one need? Posted: Mar Fri 09, 2018 11:19 pm |
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Joined: Jan Mon 24, 2011 6:03 pm Posts: 397 Location: Selkirk,MB,Canada
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I'm starting to cut back on my collection,I'm 87 and it's time.I have about 50 or 60 pieces of testing equipment,including 12 tube testers.The one I use most is my Eico 666,it will test most of the tubes I run into.I like the short test.
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roguethistle
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Post subject: Re: How many tube testers does one need? Posted: Mar Fri 09, 2018 11:46 pm |
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Joined: Aug Mon 08, 2011 4:19 am Posts: 513 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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I have 4 tube testers. EICO 624 from 1950'S? -recapped and calibrated EMC 211 from 1960's --meter not working very well Precision 912 from 1945- needs recapped and calibrated Jackson 427A from 1930's -needs recapped and calibrated These testers mostly test only tubes from their era. The EICO does not have some of the older tubes on it's chart. That has caused a problem. My EMC had the tube on its chart, but the meter is bad. So, I finally went to the Precision which had the older type tube on it's chart. So it is true that the meters are not all the same. I feel now I have a good array of meters to cover all eras of tubes to be tested. Joe
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Notimetolooz
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Post subject: Re: How many tube testers does one need? Posted: Mar Sat 10, 2018 2:23 am |
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Joined: May Thu 14, 2015 4:15 pm Posts: 2806 Location: Dallas, TX
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I use a B&K 747 and a Heathkit TC-2. I also have a B&K 465 for CRTs.
_________________ Tim It's not the Destination, It's the Journey.
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Jimmie Stewart
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Post subject: Re: How many tube testers does one need? Posted: Mar Sat 10, 2018 3:42 am |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 672 Location: Stafford, Texas USA
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Barry H Bennett
I have two TV-2 kicking around, I may give up one. PM me.
I only have 150 tube tester. Need to get down to about 10.
The problem is what to keep.
Jimmie Stewart
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Dnitram
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Post subject: Re: How many tube testers does one need? Posted: Mar Sat 10, 2018 6:11 am |
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Joined: Sep Wed 04, 2013 2:23 pm Posts: 964 Location: Canton, GA
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Ahhh, feeling much better  Sold the 539C that I used maybe 3 or 4 times in the past 6 months so I thought I'd buy something else... So my wife decided we need a new chair!  Happy Wife = Happy Life!  Got 'em down to three above the bench and that's a plenty!
_________________ Real Radios GLOW In The Dark Southeastern Antique Radio Society SARS 1991 www.sarsradio.com K4DLM
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