Tube Maintenance Advice/Replacement Source Needed

[Jester]

Hi Guys,

If all goes well, I will be picking up a Tram D201A next week, which is extremely exciting for me! I have always wanted one of these radios but I always found the price to be a little prohibitive. But, the sweet sound of tube-powered audio wins in the end, and when the radio arrives, I will finally get a piece of CB history...

Anyways, my real question is about tube maintenance and sources for good tubes. I know this is kind of long, but here it goes, thanks for your help...

1: What are some Do's and Don'ts with owning a tube radio? I have an old Tram Titan II and it was very finicky when it worked. Its been at my grandmas house in the crawlspace for about 7 yrs now...

2: If I have to get new tubs, which tubes should I buy, and where should I get them?

3: Should I modify, or have someone modify this radio for any reason?

4: Related to question 3: Is peaking recommended, or should I just leave the radio stock?

5: I've heard that I should use an unamplified microphone. Will my amplified D104 shorten the life of the tubes somehow?

6: If I need to have the radio repaired, is there a recommended technician that anyone knows here that is renowned for superior work on tube radios?

7: How much do power tubes typically cost, for nice ones to the finest I can buy?

I appreciate any advice and help. Thanks again!

[80 meter man]

These

[Night Crawler]

Hi Guys,

If all goes well, I will be picking up a Tram D201A next week, which is extremely exciting for me! I have always wanted one of these radios but I always found the price to be a little prohibitive. But, the sweet sound of tube-powered audio wins in the end, and when the radio arrives, I will finally get a piece of CB history...

Anyways, my real question is about tube maintenance and sources for good tubes. I know this is kind of long, but here it goes, thanks for your help...

1: What are some Do's and Don'ts with owning a tube radio? I have an old Tram Titan II and it was very finicky when it worked. Its been at my grandmas house in the crawlspace for about 7 yrs now...

2: If I have to get new tubs, which tubes should I buy, and where should I get them?

3: Should I modify, or have someone modify this radio for any reason?

4: Related to question 3: Is peaking recommended, or should I just leave the radio stock?

5: I've heard that I should use an unamplified microphone. Will my amplified D104 shorten the life of the tubes somehow?

6: If I need to have the radio repaired, is there a recommended technician that anyone knows here that is renowned for superior work on tube radios?

7: How much do power tubes typically cost, for nice ones to the finest I can buy?

I appreciate any advice and help. Thanks again!

1. If it's been in storage for a while I would turn it on and let it run for about a day
to warm it up don't transmit if nothing starts to smoke you can try the transmit sometimes
the filter caps go bad after a length of time.
2. Here's a source for NOS Tubes at a good price. [Please login or register to view this link]
3. For the time being leave it alone make sure everything works properly.Then do it.
4. Up to you with a tube final a PI-Network is used to match the impedance of the transmitter
to the antenna. A tune up wouldn't hurt.
5. That's a new one to me. It won't hurt anything most likely improve your audio.
6. Can't help you with that. Do my own work.
7. #2.

[928bolo]

If you need someone to work on your Tram, I recommend Greg Barkett at Barkett Electronics. Greg is a great tech for tube radios. I've sent him Trams, Brownings, and Sonars. Fair prices and fast service.

Here is the web page link [Please login or register to view this link]