how many of yous have ran tube equpment?

[Swamp Rat]

My first tube base was a Johnson Messenger 223.those relays clicking on keyup sounded awesome.I still have a pair of those . Since I got back into it after a 10 year break,Ive picked a Cobra Cam 88 and 6 of the Messenger Backfaces, and one of those has a Demco modulator attached.As for power, I started with a Maco 200 , then moved up to a Maco 750.All was good,but for a 23,Im partial to a good Messenger 223.Ive had my share of Trams, they are like wives,High Maintenence..Theres 3 others I want to try, Johnson Ranger , Browning Mk3 and Yaesu 101E.

[HomerBB]

A long time ago - 1995 - for a very short time. Phantom 1000.

[De_Wildfire]

I use a TRAM D201 for CB and Drake L4B amp on the other bands.

[A NUMBER 1]

I also run/collect tube radios,some of the ones I like best are my DAK X ,my browning Golden Eagle MARK 4A,and Siltronics Camanche 1011D,I have found over the years,especially with the brownings,its best NOT t ojsut keep them on a shelf for years,fire them up about once a month,the browning receivers like to go out of allignment just sitting,I also enjoy many of the older Drake stuff and have quite ab it of them
A NUMBER 1

[721HACKSAW]

I have a Yaesu 101E, a great radio with sensitive RX and crystal clear audio.

[BobCB]

I never have. I have some old pretty old radios here but none are tube radios. To be honest, I don't know if I would want one anyway-it seems like they are a major pain in the "hindquarters" to maintain(having to hunt down tubes, high voltage shocks, etc).

[Nagant]

I have run tube equipment since shortly after my start in the hobby in the early 1990's and still do.

Currently I run:
1. SB-220 Heathkit
2. AL-811 Ameritron
3. Seeker single 8417 modulator (like the late model Black Cats)
4. Seeker single 6BQ5 modulator (like the late model Black Cats)
5. Cobra CAM 88 (two of these)
6. Robyn 123B
7. Lafayette HB-444/25B
8. Lafayette comstat 23 Mark VI
9. Lafayette comstat 25A's
10. Johnson Messenger 223
11. Johnson Messenger 1 (White Face)
12. Regency Range Gain

I need to thin the herd as I have to many really. Especially when adding in my transistor stuff.

[Craig]

Browning Mark II and Mark III favorite radios of all time, may have not been the best but for pure enjoyment couldn't beat'em. Amps, had a Thunderbolt 105 and a 305 back in the 70's-early eighties. Dropped out of the hobby for twenty-plus years would love to pick up a clean FT-101E .. for me, never heard sweeter AM audio on any radio.

[WV 545]

12 tube Phantom
Dentron GLA-1000
Have both sitting on the table unplugged... using pills for now. The Phantom blows the neighbors' phone and tv's away, but boy does it talk!

[Craig]

My 2 newest purchases today off ebay .Now my paypal account needs more funds
BROWNING MK III with D 104 and Glen 326 G VFO $331.00 shipped
Browning ONE EIGHTY AMP MK III $300.00 shipped

One gorgeous set-up, much luck with the new acquisition!

[nutcracker]

Heres one of my newest toys, the mdx-200s big brother. Despite everyone saying they bleed terribly I get almost no interference with this one. I get alot with my palomar 2 pill, which is only 150 watts lol.... Just a simple old d&a built with new 24lq6 tubes.
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[mat_me]

I wish I had some tube equipment to play with. I had little interest and less money back then, now I have the interest and little money. lol :r&r:

[caveman71]

I have a 10 tube phanthom with 10 6ql6s i like it a lott.

[MDYoungblood]

I have a E.F.Johnson Messenger 223 I found in a garage sale, just got done retubing it, most were missing, and am blowing the speakers out of the locals radios barefoot, need to work on the receive. When I get it work right it will be added to my list.

[Nagant]

I have a E.F.Johnson Messenger 223 I found in a garage sale, just got done retubing it, most were missing, and am blowing the speakers out of the locals radios barefoot, need to work on the receive. When I get it work right it will be added to my list.

I run one of those 223's off and on as well. They are a great old school U.S.A radio.

[MDYoungblood]

I like my Hygain 623. I have checked and retubed what it needed, use a TUG D104 mic, (modulation was an issue in that radio back in the day), you let it warm up for about 15 min. The clarifier would let you tune to the A channels (RC channels). Just wish I could get the vfo to work right. I had an old TV repair shop in Pimlico that put it together for me back in 74 and he had it working great, than I lost interest (got married), took everything apart, boxed it up and it was in the attic for over 25 yrs. I am not sure that the vfo is the same one connected to the radio, I had a couple. I am looking for info but what I have found says the two won't work together. I could change the crystals (???) to get it to the upper channels for ssb but that would ruin its value. I am still looking.

[jopcobra89]

I have two Pearce-Simpson Guardian 23 tube CB's. Definitely my favorite radios. They work and look like new. I use them for hours on end without any problems.

Finally found a variac this weekend, so hopefully the General Radiotelephone MC-5 and Messenger II that I've been holding off powering up due to not having a variac will both be running shortly.

[Rooster173]

I have ran a lot of tube stuff, including my browning collection, trams, daks, and many amplifiers including ameritrons and all the way back to the Phantoms and mavericks. Currently i am only running transistors but plan on my next big amplifier being a steel tube

[Big_Mic]

I've run plenty of tube equipment over the last 30 years..... Gates/RCA 1,000 LB Plus Transmitters capable of 1KW Plus Carriers for 24 Hrs and counting, on down to the Smaller Collins, Heathkit and Swan and Yaesu Gear.... Amplifiers that ranged from home brew to commercially produced, and even a Home Brew Transmitter I built and use now, a pair 0f 3-500's Modulating a pair of 4 1000's ....

Tube gear even today is my favorite and preferred by myself.... Plate Modulation has always been my favorite.

[420Snowman]

My baby, love my maverick!


snowman

[V8Vega]

I've had Robyn T-240D's in the past. Now I'm sitting here waiting for my Tram D201A to come back from Greg Barkett. It's on the way back right now. I had him do the 100K mile rebuild, VFO mod, and install my "Gray" channel selector. I can't wait for it to get here.
I also have a Thunderbolt 305 & 2 Mini Scouts.

[Crisco]

Never really messed with tube radios but i have a varmit 70 or 75 mobile tube amp and a custom built amp with 2 G35B tubes in it so i guess i qualify.

[352 Smiley]

i never had. i hear they where good radios at the time.

[V8Vega]

i never had. i hear they where good radios at the time.

They're still very nice radios. They don't command the money they do for no reason. If you ever get the the chance to modulate a Browning or Tram, give it a try.

[tenderfoot]

Had a number of tube boxes,several D&A in early days. Currently have 4 tube elkin, 12tube elkin, eagle 515 and a dave made with 4 steel tubes.