Tube Radios

[Raccoon]

I love vintage radios , especially the old tube type radios . So I was wondering , are the tube type radios worth messing with to use as a daily driver ?

And if so , what classic tube radio is the best CB for the money right now ?

I know it's not always easy , but it is possible to find a 40 channel tube radio , that has USB & LSB in it ... or at least the possibility of having 40 channels .

I also like the old solid state equipment too ... but I've been leaning towards purchasing a tube radio , so I figured I'd post this question here , and see what everyone's opinion is on the subject .

 

[fourstringburn]

The Browning Mark 2's or Mark 3's seem to be the most coveted. I believe the Mark 4 is the SSB model.

These are nice and are commanding a pretty penny for them in good condition.

These are 2 piece units meaning 1 box is the transmitter and the other is the receiver.

I'm sure you heard the modern term "trans-ceiver". Now you can see why modern radios are called that.

 

[Riverman]

The Browning Mark 2's or Mark 3's seem to be the most coveted. I believe the Mark 4 is the SSB model.

These are nice and are commanding a pretty penny for them in good condition.

These are 2 piece units meaning 1 box is the transmitter and the other is the receiver.

I'm sure you heard the modern term "trans-ceiver". Now you can see why modern radios are called that.

The Mark III offered two transmitters. One was AM only. The other was AM/SSB. It's the same size as the receiver. Made a real impressive setup. I had one many moons ago.

 

[Riverman]

Best AM only radio I ever had was a tube radio. The Pearce Simpson Guardian 23. Didn't look like much but boy was it a loud talker.

 

[scout943]

I've been using a JOHNSON MESSENGER 223 and a VIKING MESSENGER 4230 for 35 years ,they do what they were made to do ,with out all the fancy B S .

 

[w9cll]

Not exactly the same and not 11 meters but this is my daily driver. It does have the coveted FM board installed. While it is a hybrid it does use 6146b finals. For pure 11 meter I always wanted a Tram D201.

 

[oldgeezer]

I use a Cobra Cam 88. Tube radios have ultra clear receive & transmit audio. I have a Cobra 87 GTL back up. The Cam 88 has modified modulation.

 

[oldgeezer]

As for 40 channel with SSB, Browning Golden Eagle MK IV and Tram D201A. Both are expensive around $250 on up.

 

[Riverman]

I use a Cobra Cam 88. Tube radios have ultra clear receive & transmit audio. I have a Cobra 87 GTL back up. The Cam 88 has modified modulation.View attachment 21419

Those are two beauties. Don't see many in that kind of shape these days.

 

[fourstringburn]

I use a Cobra Cam 88. Tube radios have ultra clear receive & transmit audio. I have a Cobra 87 GTL back up. The Cam 88 has modified modulation.View attachment 21419

Nice vintage Cobra!

What's that center screen for, or is it a screen?

 

[Riverman]

Nice vintage Cobra!

What's that center screen for, or is it a screen?

Speaker

 

[fourstringburn]

Speaker

Thanks for clarifying that!

 

[oldgeezer]

Yep, speaker. The Cobra was bought used in very good condition. I recently bought the Cobra 87 GTL as NOS. The 87 GTL is dual conversion receiver with a ceramic IF filter in each conversion. Like a Cobra 2000. It also produces monster audio with one diode clipped out of circuit. Same chassis Cobra 89 GTL. I prefer the flat square face vs slanted face on the 89 GTL.

 

[fourstringburn]

Yep, speaker. The Cobra was bought used in very good condition. I recently bought the Cobra 87 GTL as NOS. The 87 GTL is dual conversion receiver with a ceramic IF filter in each conversion. Like a Cobra 2000. It also produces monster audio with one diode clipped out of circuit. Same chassis Cobra 89 GTL. I prefer the flat square face vs slanted face on the 89 GTL.

I see no load and plate control knobs, do I assume that's an early solid state transistorized radio?

 

[oldgeezer]

CB radios do not have plate & load controls on the front panel. The controls are on rear and only need possible adjustment with an RF tube change. A screwdriver & possibly slug alignment tool is used.