I have an S-38 and a Lafayette HE-10. They work OK, and have been
recapped and restored, but would all new tubes help? The tubes are
all original in the HE-10 and some have been replaced in the S-38.
Just wondering if it is worth it to buy all new tubes to go along with
the recapping.
--
"What do you mean there's no movie?"

If they truly work OK now, new tubes probably won't do a thing. The
only tube that might be of some interest would be the first RF amplifier
in the circuit and even that is only a remote possibility. When the
opportunity arises, and you have access to a good tube tester, have a
look at the tubes. Then you can make a value judgment as to what might
help.

Count Floyd wrote:

I have an S-38 and a Lafayette HE-10. They work OK, and have been
recapped and restored, but would all new tubes help? The tubes are
all original in the HE-10 and some have been replaced in the S-38.
Just wondering if it is worth it to buy all new tubes to go along with
the recapping.

"Count Floyd" CountFloyd@MonsterChillerHorrorTheater wrote in message
news:g40vCXBzNU8x-pn2-ZvqqKRoLZe8d@localhost...
I have an S-38 and a Lafayette HE-10. They work OK, and have been
recapped and restored, but would all new tubes help? The tubes are
all original in the HE-10 and some have been replaced in the S-38.
Just wondering if it is worth it to buy all new tubes to go along with
the recapping.
--
"What do you mean there's no movie?"

I suggest buying the new tubes ahyway. You never know when you will
really need one,
and they are not likely to be cheaper and/or available at some indefinite
time in the future.
k35454 VE7AFN.

Neither of these radios could be called high performance,
and in fact represent the bottom of the barrel. Could new
tubes help? Possibly, but don't expect much. The best thing
to do is test the tubes on a reliable tester, and replace any
that are weak.

Steve

Steve wrote:
Neither of these radios could be called high performance,
and in fact represent the bottom of the barrel. Could new
tubes help? Possibly, but don't expect much. The best thing
to do is test the tubes on a reliable tester, and replace any
that are weak.

Steve

Recapping is a first step. You might achieve an increase in performance
by checking all the resistors to see if any are more than 10% out of
range (usually they age higher in value).
This will let the tubes operate closer to their intended ranges. Also a
total alignment is recommended after recapping. Check out the S38 Guys
website for other hints on that radio.
Lastly, make sure that you are using a good antenna. Mike KF6KXG

On Thu, 07 Sep 2006 16:41:52 -0500, "Count Floyd"
CountFloyd@MonsterChillerHorrorTheater wrote:

CountFloyd@MonsterChillerHorrorTheater

New tubes wouldn't hurt, but in an S38, if the thing works, they're
probably acceptable.

Or, if you can find a tube tester, that's the way to go

73 jerry w8gnd

Count Floyd CountFloyd@MonsterChillerHorrorTheater wrote:
I have an S-38 and a Lafayette HE-10. They work OK, and have been
recapped and restored, but would all new tubes help? The tubes are
all original in the HE-10 and some have been replaced in the S-38.
Just wondering if it is worth it to buy all new tubes to go along with
the recapping.

Almost certainly a waste of money. If you DO want to swap tubes, at least
test them first.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Don't waste your money buying all new tubes -- even as spares.

When I bought my second Hallicrafters SX-28, it included a box with three to
four sets of new replacement tubes. The original owner had stashed them away
in case of need. He only used a couple over the years, then sold the rig.
The second owner hadn't used any, or perhaps one or two. Even if I ran this
radio 24 hours a day, I doubt I could use up all these spares any time soon.

Your radios use common tubes that are cheap and readily available. I don't
think there's any point in hoarding spares now.

Regarding performance, I second the advice about doing an alignment and
using a good (i.e., long) antenna.

Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
http://antiqueradio.org/index.html