Reliable Tube Tester for 6H30 Tubes?

Although my tube tester experience is limited to the excellent Hickok 800A I mentioned above, as someone who has worked extensively with both vintage hifi equipment (1950's and 1960's) and antique radios (1920's through 1940's), I would expect that a considerable number of the non-working testers that are out there would require only routine simple things to be restored to reasonably useable condition.

Namely, testing or substituting for their own internal tubes (my 800A uses two readily available rectifier tubes), spraying contact cleaner into switches and contacts, and perhaps replacing an electrolytic capacitor or two.

Also, a way of finding tube testers in good or at least known condition might be from antique radio collectors. Many of them seem to be getting older and selling their collections and equipment. You might try subscribing to Antique Radio Classified (you can request a free sample copy), and then watching the classifieds in it and/or placing a want ad. And also perhaps following the various antique radio-related forums which are out there on the net.

Regards,
-- Al

I recently picked up a Mercury Model 1000 tester and it works and appears to provide coherent results. However, after checking a bunch of tubes in my collection, I still wonder about its accuracy and sensitivity. Bottom line is that these are test instruments and they need to be calibrated or they are worthless. Mine was manufactured in the early 1960s so I would expect it to require parts and be in need of calibration. My advice would be to search for a good condition, inexpensive unit (found mine on Craigslist) and then send it out to be serviced by a qualified technician.

I've had a few revelations with my uncalibrated tester. Some tubes test rather poorly and still sound good. Also, I have a pair of NOS 12ax7s that test as new according to the tube chart, but they have been in my preamp for about 4 years. This makes me wonder about NOS tubes being advertised as "testing strong", with the implication that they have seen little use. Maybe I'll get different results when I check again with the calibrated tester.

Dear jrb25
I recently acquired a Mercury 1000 tester and I wonder what kind of settings that I can do to test 6H30 tubes?