Who still makes tubes? (electronics)

[cfz2882]

Anybody know which countries/companies still make tubes? 30 years ago(when I had a lot of active tube gear) I had sources selling new tubes from Russia,Yugoslavia,czech republic,China and NOS '80s military production GE,Tung-sol,Sylvania. Radio Shack could get tubes also-seemed a mix of Rebadged NOS and unknown more recent production(the gold pin ones).

 

[joeekaitis]

Here ya go:
https://www.westernelectric.com/

 

[phillymatt53]

You pretty much nailed down who produces tubes.
I have a lot of NOS and Old used-good tubes, mostly RCA, GE, Raytheon, Sylvania, etc..
I brought them home when we closed the shop.
I'm good good to go for decades

 

[delco1946]

Antique electronic supply out of Arizona

 

[phillymatt53]

Antique electronic supply out of Arizona

Also at Triode Electronics, and TheTubeStore.com

 

[kenwashesmonday]

Best prices are at Find A Tube.

https://www.findatube.com

 

[phillymatt53]

Tube Depot online I've dealt with numerous times, good service.

 

[cfz2882]

Found on a forum where it was said Russia quit exporting tubes to countries that have export restrictions to them...

 

[phillymatt53]

Found on a forum where it was said Russia quit exporting tubes to countries that have export restrictions to them...

That's fine with me.
I'm stocked up for a lifetime!...... LOL!

 

[jamiel]

I have a stupid question---what exactly do tubes...do? I am jusssst old enough to remember tubes and tube testers (born late 1963), but they were decidedly old-fashioned when I recall it and solid-state was definitely what was promoted and what I grew up with. Are they just big, glass bulbs that do the functions of chips? Just realizing that when I see, like on an old radio website, a "4 tube" or "6 tube" radio---what's the difference.

This gap in my knowledge just hit me like a ton of bricks....I worked in telecom most of my career....I get electromechanical (stepper switches/gears whirring/adding machines/...) and get solid state/circuit boards, but tubes are a blind spot.

 

[phillymatt53]

I have a stupid question---what exactly do tubes...do? I am jusssst old enough to remember tubes and tube testers (born late 1963), but they were decidedly old-fashioned when I recall it and solid-state was definitely what was promoted and what I grew up with. Are they just big, glass bulbs that do the functions of chips? Just realizing that when I see, like on an old radio website, a "4 tube" or "6 tube" radio---what's the difference.

This gap in my knowledge just hit me like a ton of bricks....I worked in telecom most of my career....I get electromechanical (stepper switches/gears whirring/adding machines/...) and get solid state/circuit boards, but tubes are a blind spot.

Here's some reading material for you.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_tube

 

[vacerator]

Vacuum tubes preceded transistors. They amplifiy and or rectifiy current in amplifier, preamp, and television circuitry. They have filaments that glow and heat up. Basically they make a weak input frequency signal stronger.