If you’re old enough you might remember seeing one of these in a drug store, grocery store or even Radio Shack. You could pull all the tubes from your radio or TV, put them in a paper bag, and take them down to your local store to test. And hopefully you wrote down which one came out of which socket. Once you found the bad tube or tubes, the store proprietor would unlock the bottom and find new replacement tubes. And the price list is taped right inside the door.

https://www.morningstarobs.com/drug-store-tester.html

You are viewing a single thread.
View all comments View context
12 points

I’m pushing 60 and these were around in my childhood. I never saw anyone use it because everything was solid state by then.

permalink
report
parent
reply
8 points

67 here. I played around for hours with old tubes at the closest “variety” store by me. Couldn’t afford new tubes even when I found a bad one - I was weird, and it was something to do.

Occasionally I’d see an actual TV repairman use it, otherwise it just sat there.

permalink
report
parent
reply
6 points

I suppose these would be a sweet novelty in a music store. No idea if tubes are in anything these days outside of amps.

permalink
report
parent
reply

Nostalgia

!nostalgia@lemmy.ca

Create post

nostalgia noun nos·tal·gia nä-ˈstal-jə nə-, also nȯ-, nō-; nə-ˈstäl- 1: a wistful or excessively sentimental yearning for return to or of some past period or irrecoverable condition also : something that evokes nostalgia

Rules for Nostalgia Lemmy Community

1. Respectful Nostalgia Share nostalgic content and memories respectfully. Avoid offensive or insensitive references that may be hurtful to others.

2. Relevant Nostalgia Posts should focus on nostalgic content, including memories, media, and cultural references from the past. Stay on topic to preserve the nostalgic theme of the community.

3. Source Verification If you share nostalgic media or content, provide accurate sources or background information when possible.

4. No Spamming Avoid excessive posting of similar nostalgic topics to keep content diverse and engaging for all members.

5. Positive Discussions Encourage positive discussions and interactions related to nostalgic topics. Respect different viewpoints and memories shared by community members.

6. Quality Content Strive to post high-quality content that sparks nostalgia and meaningful conversations among members.

7. Moderation Guidelines

  • Respectful Behavior Treat fellow members with kindness and respect. Harassment or disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated.

  • Appropriate Content Only Ensure all content aligns with the nostalgic theme and community guidelines. Inappropriate or offensive material will be removed.

  • Engagement and Participation Engage actively with posts and discussions. Constructive feedback and contributions enrich the community experience.

By adhering to these rules and guidelines, we can create a welcoming and enjoyable space to relive nostalgic moments together. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to reach out to the moderators. Thank you for sharing your nostalgia responsibly!

Community stats

  • 179

    Monthly active users

  • 503

    Posts

  • 3.6K

    Comments

Community moderators