09-07-2018, 06:30 PM
Welcome to the Phorum!
If you are only restoring this one radio then a tube tester would probably not be a good buy. As a casual radio restorer a tester that is a simple emission tester would likely be just fine. There are many on ebay of various manufacturers. I bought a Jackson model 648 (that was produced for many years with some upgrades over those years) that I find does the early tubes as well as those into the 50's. In reading about these I found they were well regarded units by the radio repair guys. A Hickok 600 is often considered better particularly for folks who want a mutual conductance measurement of their tubes. These are pricier. For folks who do a lot of testing and want accurate tube performance readings I believe most go for a calibrated TV-7 D/U tester... even pricier. Others will surely have their own opinions as well.
If you are only restoring this one radio then a tube tester would probably not be a good buy. As a casual radio restorer a tester that is a simple emission tester would likely be just fine. There are many on ebay of various manufacturers. I bought a Jackson model 648 (that was produced for many years with some upgrades over those years) that I find does the early tubes as well as those into the 50's. In reading about these I found they were well regarded units by the radio repair guys. A Hickok 600 is often considered better particularly for folks who want a mutual conductance measurement of their tubes. These are pricier. For folks who do a lot of testing and want accurate tube performance readings I believe most go for a calibrated TV-7 D/U tester... even pricier. Others will surely have their own opinions as well.
