If a tube tester registers a good test for a tube, does that mean the tube will work correctly?
A.) The short answer is no. If a tube tests poorly on a tube tester, then it should be discarded. If a tube tests as good, it means that the heater is working and that it passes a test under specific conditions. However, these conditions may not be the same as the ones in your radio. The very best test for a tube is how well it performs in an otherwise healthy circuit. Sometimes it is handy to maintain a “test radio” just to check tubes, vibrators and speakers. Q.) I can get the dial to move by using the push buttons but not with the tuning knob. When I turn the tuning knob, nothing happens. A.) For the radios of the late 40s and the 50s: The pushbuttons on your radio are used to “instantly” move the tuning apparatus to the specific area on the dial that each is set to. The tuning control or knob, allows you to tune up or down the dial continuously. This knob works through a worm gear drive, so is slow, and delivers a fair amount of force. However, the pushbutton could never move the d
