I think I want a tube base radio

[721HACKSAW]

Run from the Dak... run.

[MDYoungblood]

The tube radio that I liked the most was the HyGain 623 Utopia. It was a true SSB radio, like ham radios it wasn't much on AM, (power mic helped). Only 23 channels but with the clarifier you could go 50kc (5 channels) below 1 or above 23. Installing the Glen Manufacturing 326-G Digital VCO opened up the "FreeBand" frequencies.

3's

Greg

[TennaSky]

The tube radio that I liked the most was the HyGain 623 Utopia. It was a true SSB radio, like ham radios it wasn't much on AM, (power mic helped). Only 23 channels but with the clarifier you could go 50kc (5 channels) below 1 or above 23. Installing the Glen Manufacturing 326-G Digital VCO opened up the "FreeBand" frequencies.

3's

Greg

OK Greg, go ahead, break my heart! Yeah I did have a near mint 623A Utopia, my dream radio in 1975, finally realized ownership in 2010 but relisted it on ebay when I was told it would be forever stuck on the lower 23 channels due to a weird synthesizer design.
The thought of using my Glen never crossed my mind. I only paid $107 for the one I had.

I bet it'll cost me 3 times that to replace it with a nice one nowadays.

Never owned a D201 but would love to.

Currently have a Browning Golden Eagle MkIII that only works up to channel 8, but that's OK, it's only on the air on "Channel Tubesday" at 7pm Tuesday evenings here in Sacramento. Maybe someday I'll dig into it and figure out what's up with the rest of the crystals.

73zzz

(edited by MDY)

[443 Arizona]

i had picked up an old johnson from a friend, i have not messed with it in years but it WAS working, it has a "funny switch" to get some higher channels.
i think it skipped a few too. i think it was using a lollipop too. i'm going to have to get it out and mess with it again.

[Hamman308]

Gott say.....I agree!! Many moons ago, DAK was supposed to "be all that"....and ones I heard on the air seemed great! HOWEVER......nowadays.....it's a dead topic!!! For example.....check out the auction listings....or anywhere they sell used equipment really....The price varies beyond beliefe. BUT......here's the tricky part! GOOD LUCK FINDING ONE FOR SALE THAT WORKS!! EVERY listing I've seen in several years....save one or two here or there...SOMETHING is wrong. NoTX, Low TX, No RX, Low RX, Muffled audio, No audio on SSB, Low output all bands, the list is ENDLESS! I always wanted the DAK X. But every one I've seen have any one or more of the aforementioned issues. So, Id'e have to say....YES! RUN!
All that being said....I believe that one of the best 40 channel AM, USB, LSB tube radios was the Tram D201A. The tubes still are pretty much readily available....not super expensive....and the rig has a lot of nice options such as VFO control AND channel selection. And the audio from a Tram tube rig is legendary! If you find one that has been reasonably well taken care of...and it's "slightly off" in one way or another.....it does'nt take much to bring them back to their original glory.
The only issue is some.....meaning a lot....of people selling them act as if they are made of 24K gold!
In my opinion....which I believe is pretty valuable considering I have been a licensed tech for over 25 years, and specialize in tube rigs, that they are most often OVERPRICED. Unless they have been "professionally restored", by an individual like myself.......the pretty common asking price for one in nice physical condition of 6 or 7 hundred dollars is off the wall!
Just because they look pretty does'nt mean they talk pretty! They'll usually always require a retubing of at least the final output tubes, and the modulation tube to bring them to the "legendary Tram" status. And most certiantly ALWAYS a thorough cleaning with some Deoxit of the entire internal works to regain responsivness and clean up the incoming audio, and get the "scratcyness" out of the controls when turning them.
Above all though.....realize these radios are "hardy". Very sturdy, and well built. As long as they have not been ran incorrectly for a very long time, or abused from constant over driving, they DO NOT HAVE TO LOOK CLEAN AND PRETTY TO TALK WELL! And even if they have been, it's nothing a replacement of some tubes and caps cannot solve!
A very uncomplicated rig to operate, and to work on, they are a gem!!
I have seen them going for 375 to 400....might not look real "clean and shiney"...but the ads usually state they are in working condition, AM and SSB with reasonable output!
So.....if you have the chance to pick up one of these "legendary radios" for the price range mentioned above, and you have the ability to re-tube/re-cap, and clean it up good.....or even have no issue having it done for you, GO FOR IT!
It will be a purchase you WILL NOT Regret!....believe me!!.... I had one for 15 years....and DO regret ever getting rid of it!!....
73's!!!......

[973Kid]

I love talking on a tube radio. The 2 I have are not anything that anyone is begging to get their hands on but the warm sound that comes out is beautiful. Sitting in a dark room watching the glow of the tubes is somehow relaxing.

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[Grinder74]

I just sold a Lafayette 25b but still have a Teaberry "T" 40ch. Didn't gave as good a receive but it a good radio.

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