"SR" wrote in message
...
I had been listening to Short-wave for almost 10 years. I have both
digital & transistor modest radios. But no tube radio. (Yet)!

What I mean by Which Tube Radio:

If I bought myself an old used Tube Radio, I would exspect some of the
tubes will eventually burn out, and I would have to replace the tubes in
order for the radio to work.

Tubes don't last forever. However, they can easily last for decades in
normal use. Tubes don't usually fail by burning out. They usually get
weaker, or they can short internally.

The capacitors in old radios are a far bigger problem than the tubes. Old
capacitors were little more than rolled paper and foil, and the paper
deteriorates over the years. New capacitors which use plastic instead of
paper are inexpensive and quite reliable, but capacitors are soldered in
place.



So, that I could have a radio that I could always find the right tube,
means that I would have to buy a radio that it's tubes are still being
made by a company.

Most radio tubes are easy to find and still inexpensive. Radio
manufacturers used what ever tubes were commonly available at the time of
production. For example, back in the 1940s, nearly every US company used
the 6SK7 or 12SK7 in each of their radios. These tubes were produced in the
millions through the 1960s. There are still many unused tubes left from
that huge production. There are still plenty of good used tubes around. I
have many fifty year old, and older tubes which still work well.



I do not think that I would want to get a radio that I can not replace
it's tubes.

Tubes are a minor problem with tube radios. The old capacitors and the
resistors are less reliable than the tubes. The old capacitors are best
replaced without question, and the resistors should be checked with an
ohmmeter, and replaced if they are out of specification.



So, which brands or models should I look out for?

Almost all old tube radios use tubes which were common to that era. It's
not like different companies had special tubes for their radios. GE, RCA,
Hallicrafters, just about anybody used the same type tubes and they all have
the same tube numbers. Tube numbers are a bit like tire sizes. Ford,
General Motors and Chrysler all use the same kind of tires. And tires have
standardized numbers which describe the tire but not which car it's for.

Old European radios might use tubes which are uncommon in the US.



And when did they stop making tube radio?

Tubes disappeared from portable radios in the fifties, from inexpensive
table radios in the mid 60s, and from SW radios in the late 60s.


(Dah) And why do they still
make tubes if they do not make radios for them?

Most new production tubes are used for high fi and guitar amps.



Do they make all of the tubes?

No. They haven't since the days of the Audion. There have always been
obselete tube numbers. Almost all the common radio tubes are out of
production. It doesn't matter. There is a large supply of most numbers,
and all but a few are inexpensive.

But the soldered in capacitors are a far bigger problem than the tubes.



As a newbie in tubes learn more about tubes?

73

http://antiqueradio.org/

Frank Dresser

Believe it or not, you can still get NOS (New Old Stock) tubes through Radio
Shack. I recently bought a backup set of tubes for my R.L. Drake SW-4A, which I
purchased new in 1975. I gave the list to the salesperson at Radio Shack, and
they called me in two weeks, with the complete list ready for pickup. They all
came in Realistic tube boxes, and appeared to be new. Funny thing is, I have
never replaced a tube in this receiver, and it still performs like the day I
bought it! Now that says something about well built old tube receivers. Good
DXing to you, Gary

Kachina 78 wrote:

Believe it or not, you can still get NOS (New Old Stock) tubes through Radio
Shack. I recently bought a backup set of tubes for my R.L. Drake SW-4A, which I
purchased new in 1975. I gave the list to the salesperson at Radio Shack, and
they called me in two weeks, with the complete list ready for pickup. They all
came in Realistic tube boxes, and appeared to be new. Funny thing is, I have
never replaced a tube in this receiver, and it still performs like the day I
bought it! Now that says something about well built old tube receivers. Good
DXing to you, Gary

Realistic 'Gold' tubes used have a lifetime warranty but I doubt if RS
will honor it now.


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Believe it or not, you can still get NOS (New Old Stock) tubes through
Radio
Shack. I recently bought a backup set of tubes for my R.L. Drake SW-4A,
which I
purchased new in 1975. I gave the list to the salesperson at Radio Shack,
and
they called me in two weeks, with the complete list ready for pickup. They
all
came in Realistic tube boxes, and appeared to be new. Funny thing is, I
have
never replaced a tube in this receiver, and it still performs like the day
I
bought it! Now that says something about well built old tube receivers.
Good
DXing to you, Gary

Gary, I'm curious about the price you paid for those tubes--not the literal
amount, but whether you checked RS against Antique Electronic Supply or any of
the many online suppliers of NOS tubes. RS was never known for bargains on
tubes (or anything else).

Avery W3AVE
Potomac, Md.