07-25-2017, 10:05 AM
Here are some tips I can offer, being a bit new to this as well (some I learned the easy way, some the hard way!)
* Take lots of photos of the underside of the chassis before you get started.
* If you can't read the schematic very well at first, take your time and replace each cap or resistor piece by piece, learning as you go. Whatever you do, don't just start removing stuff or you'll never remember where it all goes.
* You can find most or all of the specific tools and equipment you'll need at swap meets, in the wanted ads here, Craigslist, or ebay. Finding them locally helps save on shipping.
* Most vintage equipment like tube testers, signal generators, etc. will also need caps and resistors replaced with new, unless you buy it from someone who has already done this. On the positive side, once done they typically are very robust and last a long time.
* Radio Shacks are pretty much all closing up and have good sales. I bought an older version of this set that had been sitting on the shelf for years and got a great price: https://www.radioshack.com/collections/s...ng-station
* If you want a tube tester, I'd like to recommend the Conar 223 to get you started. It's basic and does not do mutual conductance tests, but on the positive side it does not require any calibration apart from replacing out of spec caps and resistors, and it has the ability to test all of the tubes you're likely to encounter (including very old 4 and 5-pin tubes). They're also relatively inexpensive compared to a Hickok, which at this point is probably too much engine for your needs.
* Get yourself a good Fluke multimeter. I got a pretty good deal on a used one from ebay, but expect you won't find one super cheap. This is the one I bought and it's excellent: http://en-us.fluke.com/products/digital-...meter.html
* Here's a variac, which you'll likely want to use the first time you power up your radio after you've replaced caps and resistors. The idea is, you slowly increase voltage over a period of time and look for smoke/burning smells, and it helps you prevent damage to the radio if you made a mistake or something else is wrong: https://www.circuitspecialists.com/varia...DQod3AUNPQ
Most of all, take your time, ask questions, and have fun.
* Take lots of photos of the underside of the chassis before you get started.
* If you can't read the schematic very well at first, take your time and replace each cap or resistor piece by piece, learning as you go. Whatever you do, don't just start removing stuff or you'll never remember where it all goes.
* You can find most or all of the specific tools and equipment you'll need at swap meets, in the wanted ads here, Craigslist, or ebay. Finding them locally helps save on shipping.
* Most vintage equipment like tube testers, signal generators, etc. will also need caps and resistors replaced with new, unless you buy it from someone who has already done this. On the positive side, once done they typically are very robust and last a long time.
* Radio Shacks are pretty much all closing up and have good sales. I bought an older version of this set that had been sitting on the shelf for years and got a great price: https://www.radioshack.com/collections/s...ng-station
* If you want a tube tester, I'd like to recommend the Conar 223 to get you started. It's basic and does not do mutual conductance tests, but on the positive side it does not require any calibration apart from replacing out of spec caps and resistors, and it has the ability to test all of the tubes you're likely to encounter (including very old 4 and 5-pin tubes). They're also relatively inexpensive compared to a Hickok, which at this point is probably too much engine for your needs.
* Get yourself a good Fluke multimeter. I got a pretty good deal on a used one from ebay, but expect you won't find one super cheap. This is the one I bought and it's excellent: http://en-us.fluke.com/products/digital-...meter.html
* Here's a variac, which you'll likely want to use the first time you power up your radio after you've replaced caps and resistors. The idea is, you slowly increase voltage over a period of time and look for smoke/burning smells, and it helps you prevent damage to the radio if you made a mistake or something else is wrong: https://www.circuitspecialists.com/varia...DQod3AUNPQ
Most of all, take your time, ask questions, and have fun.
Greg
"We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us."
