pearce simpson companion d

[Four]

Dad has an old pearce simpson tuber laying around that is afraid to hook up because we have no clue where to purchase new tubes for it... anyone know where they could be found?

[Foxhunter]

Dad has an old pier simpson tuber laying around that is afraid to hook up because we have no clue where to purchase new tubes for it... anyone know where they could be found?

Saw this post go unanswered and thought to give a "quick" (ha) reply. There are literally hundreds & hundreds of makes/models/styles of tubes made through the years and you didn't list the particular tubes you need. Ebay is always offering up various out-of-production tubes either "tested & working" (Hmmm....?) or NOS (new/old-stock) but buying off online auctions is always a bit of a risky proposition at-best and a "roll of the dice". Check the feedback of the seller. Maybe you should look into a few "vintage/antique tube suppliers". I'll list a couple of links at the very bottom of this post I'd once saved to my browser's "favorites".

I learned a while back and bought a high-quality "Commercial Trades Institute TC-20" tube-tester, to check the viability/output-percentage of various tubes for some of my radio gear. If you were to test (or have tested) your tubes on your Pearce-Simpson -----perhaps only one or two tubes are bad and need to be replaced. One of the important things to remember is that the tubes should most-often be "matched" (even % of output).

Most likely if you have just the one older CB radio, you probably don't want to buy a tester, so I'd find a shop locally in your area that works on "antique/vintage radio's" and have them test your tubes for you for a small fee----or even free. Most shops that do only "Antique AM/FM Radio & Phonograph" work will readily have the ability (and often willingness) to atleast test your "RF/transmitting tubes" for you. They may even perhaps order what you need for you from their network of suppliers. Many will not actually work on radio's that transmit however and will only repair "recieve-only" (ie receiver) radios. Who knows? Look in your local phone book or do a local search online. Note your tube #'s (and their manufacturer) that you need as that will be the first thing you will be asked about. The tube number is the most important thing, as sometimes several manufacturers made the same type/# tube and can be used interchangeably. As long as they have the same number.

If, for example, your radio has four tubes that are exactly the same type & number. When tested the tubes should put out roughly the same percentage of output. If you were to replace one of the old tubes with a new one that had 95-100% output, and the other three had say only 60-70% output----then the tubes would be considered "mismatched" and the new tube would be "dragged down" due to this uneven load condition. It will shorten the "life" of the newly purchased tube. The same can be often said for transistors ("pills") or even multiple car-batteries. The weak ones will always pull down or kill the lone strong one. That will not bother/concern some people at all and they will only replace the one bad tube, period.

I have the Pearce-Simpson Bearcat 23B and the Pearce-Simpson Lynx 23 . It was Gladding Corp. that made the Pearce-Simpson line of radio's-----I like the two that I have and think that it would make a nice radio if you were to bring it back to life.



**As an alternative to Ebay maybe take a look at these sites:**

I'd maybe try Tubeworld first for just replacement tubes:

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Or:
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This paricular site RF Cafe has a "whole bunch" of tube supplier/vintage parts links:
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Sadly because of the "COMMERCIAL CENSORSHIP" on this website I couldn't be more helpful as I tried to post a couple of links that would have been very useful to you. They were automatically replaced with some of our own sponsors links. Oh well, that is the nature of the web....

Let us know what you do with the radio. Like I said I saw your post go unanswered and hope any of this might've helped.

Foxhunter

[Four]

thanks fox for the info.. at the moment the radio is still in good working condition (last it was hooked up) but without knowing if we could find tubes for it the poor thing has only set.. that was about 6 years ago... now that we have possibilities for getting tubes to it ill try to bring that radio back from the grave and see what she is made of..

[Foxhunter]

thanks fox for the info.. at the moment the radio is still in good working condition (last it was hooked up) but without knowing if we could find tubes for it the poor thing has only set.. that was about 6 years ago... now that we have possibilities for getting tubes to it ill try to bring that radio back from the grave and see what she is made of..

Hope you get that unit back & on the air. Good luck with it Four. Let us know......

[Four]

ok.. i just got back from getting the poor old tuber out of storage.. now it will key up with a 4.5 watt deadkey but no modulation.. think the mic is going to get replaced first.. but all the tubes seem to be working.. would it be to my advantage to go ahead and replace them all??

[Foxhunter]

ok.. i just got back from getting the poor old tuber out of storage.. now it will key up with a 4.5 watt deadkey but no modulation.. think the mic is going to get replaced first.. but all the tubes seem to be working.. would it be to my advantage to go ahead and replace them all??

I too would switch mic's, to rule out a bad mic. I'd do that first before anything else. Seems your deadkey is within normal range. It may or may not be the mic, but I wouldn't switch tubes atleast until I verify the mic is good or not.

If the original mic is good (or a new one is used) and still no modulation---it could very well be something else still besides the tubes. I'd make a list of the tube-type numbers and how many each, in case you need to discuss the radio with someone. The very best way to check tubes is to put them on a tube tester. If you buy a replacement set of tubes just to have spares anyway (each year they are only getting more scarce right?) then it may not hurt to substitute them for a test, to see if it clears up your problem. If not, then you'll know it may need to be sent out to a qualified shop that deals with vintage or older radios.

Glad to see you're still trying to bring it back to life.

[jessejamesdallas]

Pearce Simpson were nice radios...I use to have a Sears Road Talker radio (the one with the slanted front) that was made by Pearce Simpson for Sears...Thing was loud as all get-out! I see them on eBay every now and then, and one thats in good condition sell for about what they did back in the 70's still! If not more!

[Four]

ok.. i have the radio up and running.. now i only have one problem.. the mic is junk.. i can key up but not modulate.. any ideas where i can get a vintage mic for this.. or even a good aftermarket.. this mic solders in.. so it aint gonna be fun to change...

[Foxhunter]

ok.. i have the radio up and running.. now i only have one problem.. the mic is junk.. i can key up but not modulate.. any ideas where i can get a vintage mic for this.. or even a good aftermarket.. this mic solders in.. so it aint gonna be fun to change...

The original mic gone bad is so common. For me it is a bit of a disappointment for "collector purposes" when an original mic is non-functional. I'd still keep it. It may need a new element or perhaps some simple piece is loose inside. Does it sound "like a baby ratttle" when you shake it? You may be able to send the mic out to that place I PM'd you about or they may have working mic's of that same exact type. I'm sure an aftermarket mic could be wired-in but if you wish to keep it original you may need to send it out. I'll bet your Dad had some interesting conversations through that same mouthpiece!

Anyone else have any suggestions here for the man?

[TwentyTwo-Zero]

Have you had the tubes tested? I'd check them all, but in particular the 1st & 2nd AF Amp\Speech Amp (6GH8 x 2) and the Output Modulator (12AB5).

If you don't have one, there is a schematic here:

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[Four]

twentytwozero.. im going to be putting all new tubes in this radio.. as well as get a set of spares... i priced them to replace and they were gonna run me 33 to do so..

fox hunter.. the electrical portion of the mic works.. just the "speaker" (for lack of a better word at the moment other than mic) itself is the problem.. i have done an ohms test on all the wires.. and none are shorted together.. and all have continuity... the mic itself was made in like 1955 according to the casting on it.. i would love to keep it vintage if at all possible and i still have those links ya sent me.... ill check into them.. if not.. i have found 2-3 more a buddy has that they are wanting to sell.. one for parts wouldnt be a bad idea.. but on the other hand.. these are getting harder and harder to find....

[Grump]

Boy If those old tube units are like guitar amps it will be tough to beat that radio

[Four]

i was talking with dad and mouser earlier.. dad was saying he would talk with screaming eagle in montego bay jamaica (i think it was) with this radio on 2 102" whips on top of a tin roof trailer house when he was in high school... and i remember him saying that he would talk with a guy by the handle of yellow canary but i can remember where he was from... so i bet i get this up and running it will be a great talking radio once again..

dad is still unaware that i have the radio here and trying to fix it up for him.. he thinks it is still out int he shed at the farm lol

[TwentyTwo-Zero]

Good deal on the tube replacement. Just curious...did you move the channel selector switch out of position 1 when you checked for transmitted audio? Position 1 is for tuning the radio, and I don't think you will any audio output with the switch in that position... :wink:

[Four]

ya.. i tried on more than one position.. i key up.. modulation meter goes up than right back down.. it wont pick up my voice at all... si im down to it being in the mic itself.. if i knew a good way to do it i would just temp wire a different mic into it and see if that for sure fixes the problem...

[Foxhunter]

ya.. i tried on more than one position.. i key up.. modulation meter goes up than right back down.. it wont pick up my voice at all... si im down to it being in the mic itself.. if i knew a good way to do it i would just temp wire a different mic into it and see if that for sure fixes the problem...

You'll have to see who might have a new "mic element" for the mic. It's always good to have spare tubes and anything else for spare parts including a 2nd radio unit. Scarcer and scarcer.....

[Four]

now for something a little weird.. i went and was playing with that radio a little more and tonight it decided to modulate.. its weak.. but the more i talk into it the stronger it gets... im not sure what to do with it now.. and it will modulate to 100% after about 20 seconds...

[TwentyTwo-Zero]

I don't think there's anything wrong with the mic itself. I think you have a weak tube or leaky component. I'd retube it first and go from there...

[Four]

ill give that a try... thank you guys so much for the help.. this radio is older than i am and it is kind of a fun experience working with it... makes me wanna nab up the other ones i have found and get me one going of my own...

[Foxhunter]

ill give that a try... thank you guys so much for the help.. this radio is older than i am and it is kind of a fun experience working with it... makes me wanna nab up the other ones i have found and get me one going of my own...

Although some insist only 5 minutes is necessary many older guys would let their tube radio units warm-up for a 1/2-hour or so to bring them fully up to operating temperature. Just a thought.