Re: Super Eight Radios

Posted by ScottG On 2010/11/6 12:00:51

Regarding the question about European vs. American valves: I could be wrong but I don't believe there are any interchangeability issues between the two. Brit and continental radios may have used different valve complements than did US makes, but I'm pretty sure a 6AU6 is a 6AU6 anywhere you go.

Just my 'two cents' about valve testers: My understanding that the cheaper models available for sale as used gear generally aren't worth the money as the method of testing they employ does not give reliable results. If you're really interested in getting into valve electronics, I would highly recommend spending the extra money on what is called a mutual conductance tester. These units actually test valves under 'real world' conditions and yield much better results. You can identify these by their meters which read in micromohs. (The 'cheapies' generally only read bad/good). Hickok, Simpson, and Triplett were popular manufacturers here in the states.

That being said, for fixing one radio in one car, find someone with a good testing rig and have them test your valves. Again, however, I'd bet that your valves are in better shape than you think and that those old condensors are causing your trouble.